In light of the Climate Emergency declared by Dumfries and Galloway Council (declaration
agreed at Full Council in June 2019) a regional emissions baseline and strategic plan has
been undertaken. A new Council priority has been agreed – to pursue net zero carbon status by 2025.
Members of the Council’s Economy and Resources Committee (15 November 2022) will
receive a report on the progress made in updating the baseline emissions inventory and
engaging with departments to incorporate climate change and the climate emergency into
plans across Council services.
The Council continues to embed climate change considerations into all policy and practice
risk assessments to ensure that measures to reduce carbon emissions are acted on. Our
Council is embracing innovative measures to reduce our region’s impact on climate change, and support businesses and communities that can benefit. Many projects across services are including digital options which reduce travel and consumption emissions. Collaboration with partners is ongoing in many areas.
D&G Council recognises that achieving net zero carbon emissions is a challenge that all
people in our region will share. Therefore, the Council is establishing a Citizens’ Panel to
keep communities at the heart of decision-making and produce a Climate Change Strategic
Action Plan. This plan will incorporate measures for reducing carbon emissions in Dumfries
and Galloway.
A Council Spokesperson stated “To reduce carbon emissions, the Council now has 70 fully electric vehicles (2 refuse
collection vehicles, 1 bus, 6 vans, and 61 cars). Throughout Dumfries and Galloway,
kerbside household recycling collections have been implemented, Council buildings are
becoming more energy efficient, and use of electric vehicles has increased since travel
restrictions have been eased.We are conscious of climate change when planning and designing new Council buildings.
The Council has commenced design work for a new High School in Dumfries, which will use the Net Zero Public Sector Buildings Standard. The Council’s progress towards adaptation also includes the development of a Local Flood Risk Management Plan and the
development of flood protection schemes.Our Council’s Town Centre Living Fund (funded through the allocation of Council Tax on
second homes income) helps to regenerate our town centres and address climate change by allowing people to live closer to town central services without needing to travel. Work is
underway to develop the Council’s Vacant and Derelict Land and Property Strategy, which will promote active travel by shortening distances to places of work and leisure. The Council continues to work with the Energy Agency to deliver the Energy Efficiency Scotland: Area Based Scheme for Dumfries and Galloway, which aims to reduce domestic carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty by providing solid wall insulation to homes in the private sector.An accelerated energy improvement programme is being undertaken at all Council
Buildings. A move to a lower temperature and a reduced heating season will reduce energy
consumption. To show how savings can be made, a staff behavioural change programme
will be developed, energy mapped monthly and individual site analysis will be done.”Chair of the Economy and Resources Committee, Cllr Katie Hagmann said: “Our Council set ourselves a high standard when we agreed to our Climate Emergency Declaration in 2019. We knew it would not be easy, but we were determined to be ambitious. I am very pleased to hear of all the work that is being carried out. We are leading by example; indeed, our Council’s Climate Emergency Officer is working at a national level to create a region wide approach to the roll-out of the Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Scheme. There are still more projects in the pipeline, with feasibility studies being carried out, and we have some way to go yet, but we are on the right track and making good progress so far.”
Vice Chair, Cllr Sean Marshall said: “The Council is taking bold action on climate change.
Local people, schools, organisations, and businesses will be supported and signposted to
help by Dumfries and Galloway Council to cut carbon emissions and save money on energy bills. Our goal is to improve energy efficiency in people’s houses and local buildings, and to develop low carbon transport solutions and sustainable waste management. By reducing costs, minimising emissions, and protecting the most vulnerable, we can reduce our impact on the environment. We are proud of our many and varied climate achievements in Dumfries and Galloway to date. Now and in the future, we look forward to the vital work and projects with our partners and communities, which will enable us to achieve our critical target of being carbon neutral by 2025.”
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