Dundee’s climate change credentials could be bolstered in the run up to the global COP26 conference in Scotland later this year.
The city council has already declared a climate emergency and a Dundee Climate Leadership Group has been established to help achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions for the city in the next 25 years.
Now, with the major UN gathering in Glasgow approaching in November, the policy & resources committee is being asked to sign the city up to three major declarations to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to tackle the issues.
These are:
C40 Cities: Race to Net Zero
Signing the Race to Net Zero Pledge publicly highlights the message that the city of Dundee recognises the global climate emergency and will reduce the cities emissions to net zero by 2045 at the latest. This would be led by partnership working to deliver the Dundee Climate Action Plan.
The Edinburgh Declaration
The Scottish Government is leading the ‘Edinburgh Process’ which is a means for local authorities to be formally represented in the international process and to show support for global action to protect and enhance biodiversity. The city will work on actions set out within Dundee's Biodiversity Action Plan 2020-2030 and Dundee's Climate Action Plan. The city council will continue to incorporate more sustainable ways of working, including partnership working and will seek innovative solutions.
Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration
Dundee City Council will commit to accelerate climate action by building and facilitating sustainable food systems transformation by developing and implementing integrated food policies and strategies, for example building on Dundee’s Local Food Growing Strategy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from urban and regional food systems.
City council leader John Alexander said: “We are taking the climate change emergency extremely seriously in this city and are already taking direct actions to try and make a difference.
“Over the last 13 years or so, the council has slashed its carbon footprint by 42% and our capital plan for the next five years contains an additional £22m of projects which focus on energy, mobility, waste and resilience.
“This includes are £9m for the Broughty Ferry to Monifieth active travel corridor, £6m for sustainability and low carbon projects, £3m for housing energy saving measures and projects including sustainable transport and infrastructure and fleet electric vehicles.
“We have also launched a climate action plan with the backing of local companies and organisations and are reaching out to the city’s people to help us in this vital effort.
“Dundee will be making its voice heard during COP26 and signing up to these declarations would further strengthen our efforts.
“But this is not something we are doing solely for one even. We cannot be complacent and we need to be committed to a long-term effort to improve the situation not just for ourselves, but for future generations.”
The policy & resources committee meets on Monday September 6.
