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 these will become worse in years to come. There will be major impacts on local authority services and on the community as a whole.

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 determination to work with others to help cut emissions.

Benefits of developing an action plan

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.

Developing a climate change action plan

With support provided from the Energy Saving Trust, your local authority can develop and implement a Climate Change Action Plan.

Many councils in Scotland and across the UK now have Action Plans and have started to deliver reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and a range of other benefits.

Contact the Energy Saving Trust's Practical help team on 0844 84 888 30 or practicalhelp@est.org.uk to find out how we can help you with the development of your action plan.

Energy Awareness Training

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 Scotland advice network can help with both Action Plan development and free energy awareness training.

More about Scotland's Climate Change Declaration

For more information about the Declaration, including access to the Climate Change Communication Portal, visit the Sustainable Scotland Network's Climate Change Declaration web pages.