Scotland's Climate Change Declaration

Climate Change: A Challenge for Local Government

Climate change is at the top of the political agenda. Communities across Scotland have been affected by floods and other weather-related events and evidence suggests it will become worse in years to come. There will be major impacts on your local authority services and on your community as a whole.

The Scottish Climate Change Declaration recognises the crucial roles that local government can play in reducing emissions and adapting to climate change. Local authorities will need to develop a strategic response to climate change, encompassing both reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases (mitigation) and adapting to the changes in climate that will occur (adaptation). Benefits include saving energy and money, improving overall environmental performance, enhancing the living conditions of local residents and protecting local people from the threats posed by our changing climate.

What can your local authority do?

Sign Scotland's Climate Change Declaration

In January 2007 all 32 Scottish local authorities signed the Declaration. Through signing the declaration councils have shown their commitment to this important issue and their commitment to work with others to help cut emissions. For more information about the Declaration please follow this link to the Sustainable Scotland Network website.

Develop a Climate Change Action Plan

With the support provided in the online toolkit, your local authority can develop and implement a Climate Change Action Plan. Many councils in Scotland and across the UK have already done so and started to deliver reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and a range of other benefits. The Online Action Plan toolkit can help you through the process of preparing an Action Plan, guiding you through five stages to address both Mitigation and Adaptation. A fully functional toolkit will be live soon. In the interim, please do not hesitate to contact Harry Mayers, 0131 555 7906.

One of the commitments that local authorities in Scotland have made in signing Scotland's Climate Change Declaration is that they will provide an action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, partly through improved staff awareness. The Energy Saving Trust Local Support Teams can help with both Action Plan development and free energy awareness training.