Edinburgh Council has warned it will be "extremely challenging" to meet its current climate targets after over two-thirds of the authority's three-year carbon budget was used up in two years.
The ambitious goal to become a net zero city by 2030 - reducing emissions by 100 per cent through de-carbonisation of transport and buildings, increased recycling rates and other proposed actions - looks increasingly difficult with the council facing almost £80 million in cuts next year.
A climate report revealed the council's emissions totalled 65,527 tonnes of carbon dioxide or equivalent (tCO2e) in 2021/22, which represents 69 per cent of the authority's cumulated carbon budget for the two years up to April 2023.
