Sustainabilty - Climate Change

Climate Change

Introduction

Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing the world today. Scientific evidence that the global climate is changing and that the primary cause for this change is the release of greenhouse gases from human activity is compelling. Without a concerted global effort to curb the emissions of these harmful gases to ensure we live within environmental limits, climate change will cause devastation across the world.

Climate change is already happening. Its impacts over the next 30 to 40 years are unavoidable; they are already locked into the system. Perversely, those in the developing world - those who have historically contributed least to the problem - and who are most vulnerable to its effects - will suffer the worst impacts. However, the rich nations of the world are not immune. Many countries in Europe, including Scotland, have recent first hand experience of the types of climate extremes that will become increasingly common as a result of climate change.

Expected Impacts in Scotland

By the 2080's:

Annual temperatures across Scotland will rise by up to 3.5ºC in the summer and 2.5ºC in the winter.
Summers will become generally drier across Scotland. There may only be a slight reduction in rainfall in the north-west but as much as a 40% reduction in the south and east.
Scotland's sea levels will rise, perhaps by up to 600 mm around the mainland.
More extreme rainfall events, with rainfall in 24 hours from storms expected to occur on average every two years up by 25% in the east.
Average snowfall amount decrease - by up to 90% less depending on location and snowless winters may become normal in some parts.

Expected Benefits

Scotland's growing season will become longer, by between 30 and 80 days.
Less energy required to heat homes.
Less cold related deaths.
Warmer weather could help tourist trade.

What Angus Council is doing to tackle Climate Change

At the beginning of 2007, every local authority in Scotland signed up to Scotland's Climate Change Declaration. The Declaration has been endorsed by Scottish ministers and commits Scottish local authorities to making concerted efforts to address climate change.

Under the terms of the Declaration, Angus Council is committed to:

Work with the Scottish Executive and the UK Government to contribute to the delivery of Scotland's and the UK's Climate Change Programmes, including to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to future climate change scenarios.
Produce and publicly declare a plan, with targets and time-scales, to achieve a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from our own operations. This will include our energy use and sourcing, travel and transportation, waste production and disposal, estate management, procurement of goods and services, and improved staff awareness.
Ensure that greenhouse gas reduction and climate change adaptation measures are clearly incorporated into our new and existing strategies, plans and programmes, in line with sustainable development principles.
Assess the risks and opportunities for our services and our communities of predicted climate change scenarios and impacts, and take action to adapt accordingly and in line with sustainable development principles.
Encourage and work with others in our local community to take action to adapt to the impact of climate change, to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions and to make public their commitment to action.
Publish an annual statement on the monitoring and progress of our climate change response, detailing targets set, actions taken, outcomes achieved and further actions required.
Collaborate with other organisations to promote good practice on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Carbon Management Programme

In order to help us address the commitments in the Declaration, Angus Council applied to and has been accepted onto the Carbon Trust's Carbon Management Programme. Consultants help participating local authorities with workshops, meetings and other support tailored around a 5 step process:

a systematic analysis of our carbon footprint
a calculation of the value at stake and the case for taking action
an assessment of opportunities to help manage carbon emissions
lead by example - influencing business and the community.
development of structured action plans for realising carbon savings and embedding carbon management in your authority's day to day business.

This process began in May 2007, with a launch event held in Edinburgh for the participating local authorities. Thereafter, the real work will begin with the consultants and updates will be posted on this website to keep you informed of progress.

For more information on climate change and what you can do to help reduce its effects, have a look at the links listed below:

Contact:
Pam Coutts, Senior Development Plan Officer
Direct Dial: 01307 473208, Email couttsp@angus.gov.uk