Highland Council required to cut yearly emissions by 13% to meet net zero target
Highland Council will need to cut yearly emissions by 13.8 per cent if it wants to meet the 2030 net zero target.
A new report found it would have to reduce yearly emissions by 3661 tonnes - which is the equivalent of running around 58 primary schools for a year.
The annual report contains figures that show the yearly emissions that have to be reported by public bodies under the Scottish Government amendment order of 2020.
The figures show that since the year 2023/24, the Highlands emission increased by five per cent this was attributed to the Corran Ferry resuming a full service and an increase in diesel consumption through ageing fleet vehicles as well as longer bin collection routes.
At a meeting today, the council has been recommended to maintain the current carbon targets until further analysis to avoid setting “unrealistic targets”.
However the current target that has been set would require the equivalent emissions of 20,462 cars travelling the NC500 to be cut each year.
The Scottish Government's target for 2030 is to have average annual emissions be 57 per cent lower than 1990 levels.
Regional MSP Edward Mountain said: “The Scottish Government still have to produce a draft Climate Change Plan based on the carbon budgets that the Parliament approved.
“I am sure that the Highland Council are working towards reducing their emissions, but to set a percentage figure on that now, without an approved Climate Change Plan, may be either aspirational or insufficient – we have no idea.
“What we do know is that if the Scottish Government is going to meet their targets, they will have to take everyone with them – not just local authorities who they can influence by financial control.”
The council was approached for comment.