Scottish Borders Council signs Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration
Tuesday, January 16 2007
Scottish Borders Council has this week (Tuesday 16 January) made a further commitment to addressing Climate Change through improving its own actions and influencing partners.
David Parker, Council Leader and David Hume, Chief Executive, have both signed Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration on behalf of the Council.
As part of Scotland’s Climate Change Programme, the Scottish Executive has been working with Scotland’s Local Authorities to develop a common declaration of intent on climate change to which local government and other stakeholders can commit.
Minister for the Environment, Ross Finnie, announced that all of Scotland’s local authorities will be amongst the first signatories of Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration. He said: “Scotland takes climate change seriously. An effective response to climate change cannot be achieved by central government alone. Scotland's communities will be in the front line in responding to the impacts of climate change and also have a role in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases that are contributing to climate change.”
Leader of Scottish Borders Council, Councillor David Parker said: “This Declaration underlines the Council's determination to change the way it operates so it protects our residents and our environment against the risk of climate change. We are showing our commitment to cutting emissions of Greenhouse Gases and promoting the sustainable development of our local communities. As one of the largest employers in the Scottish Borders we can lead by example and help protect the beautiful place we live and work in.”
Included in the Declaration are commitments to prepare and publicly declare a plan, with targets and time-scales, to achieve a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from local authority operations including energy use, transport and waste; and to publish an annual statement on progress in addressing climate change.
Earlier today the Council’s Executive Committee considered proposals to further embed environmental improvement actions throughout Council business by adopting proposals for a Corporate Environmental Programme.
David Hume, Chief Executive at SBC said: “It is now accepted that Climate Change is happening and its impact will increase in severity. It is crucially important that actions are taken now to attempt to tackle the challenges which Climate Change will pose.
“Local government is Scotland’s largest public sector employer and, as such, has the potential to play a key role in tackling climate change through both its own activities and its influence on the wider community. We are fully committed to fulfilling the commitments of the Declaration and will encourage all of our local partners to follow suit.”
In supporting the Climate Change Declaration, David Gass, Chief Executive of Scottish Borders Enterprise said: "We remain committed to the principles of sustainability which we believe offers businesses opportunities that can significantly contribute to economic growth. We also look forward to continuing to work with our New Ways partners, Borders businesses and the wider community to improve the Regions productivity and environmental performance through implementation of the New Ways Economic and Environmental Strategies."
Tony Taylor, Chair of NHS Borders said: "As a New Ways partner, NHS Borders is in strong support of SBC's signing of the declaration and is committed to continued partnership work in pursuit of this important objective. NHS Borders recognise the impact of Climate Change and are addressing opportunities to address such impact by promoting sustainable development. Over recent years through the Joint Futures Initiatives NHS Borders and Scottish Borders Council have addressed and continue to review Travel Planning in its widest sense thereby improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact.”
To coincide with the signing of the Declaration, a three-day “Going Green” event is being staged by the Council’s Green Team. An exhibition and lunchtime information sessions will encourage employees to find out more about what they can do to improve energy efficiency, waste recycling, sustainable procurement and travel to work.
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