Thurso councillor chairs new climate change committee – Karl Rosie speaks with protestors
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A Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor talked with climate protestors yesterday (September 22) as part of his new position as chair of Highland Council’s climate change committee.
At a meeting in the local authority's Inverness HQ, Cllr Karl Rosie discussed a wide range of issues in relation to the council’s approach to the climate change and ecological emergency and responded to a number of concerns raised by the group.
Speaking after yesterday's meeting, Cllr Rosie said: “It has been extremely interesting to meet with representatives from Extinction Rebellion this morning – we share the same goals and desire to see faster fundamental improvements and we look forward to working with them as we go forward.”
Responding to the matter of green infrastructure development, he added: “Regarding active travel infrastructure, the council has committed £600K for the next five years, rising to £850K for the following five years across Highland and we are currently developing a new sustainable transport strategy for the region."
He added that the council is working hard to realise its green commitments and said: “Five additional posts are being recruited to the council’s climate and energy team to drive forward the net zero strategy at pace and two new ecological posts will provide additional benefits to major applications and developments across Highland enabling the council to explore carbon sequestration across the region.
“Over the last two years the council has secured in excess of £0.5M to deliver the Nature Restoration Fund; is a key partner in the proposed World Heritage Site – the Flows; and has commissioned UHI and Strathclyde University to explore improving the local benefit from renewable energy generation."
Scottish Green councillor Kate Willis said: “We had a really good discussion with the representatives of the group about green energy opportunities and the unparalleled prospects offered by Highland’s abundant natural resources. Like them, we are very ambitious about maximising this potential for the benefit of Highland communities, particularly in the context of the current fuel crisis. The case for moving away from fossil fuels has never been greater."
Cllr Rosie explained the EV charging provision currently in Highland, saying: “While Highland Council serves the largest local authority geographical area in the UK there are currently 288 charge points in the region of which 37 per cent are owned and operated by the council. Five gaps within the council’s owned and operated infrastructure are filled by private operators. However, we also acknowledge the need to improve both the extent of the network and the reliability of EV provision and this is a priority for us.”
On the matter of the carbon neutral target by 2025, he said: “Since 2019 under the remit of the climate change working group, the council has consistently seen a reduction in reported carbon emissions.
“Simply achieving carbon neutrality as a region was not ambitious enough. In 2021 Highland Council made the commitment to develop a net zero strategy and action plan. 2022 has seen a £2M commitment by the council to deliver an accelerated action plan.”
