Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Climate Change Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 21 May 2025 at 2.00 pm.

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

Yours faithfully

Stewart Fraser
Chief Officer – Legal and Corporate Governance

Business

1.  Calling of the Roll and Apologies for Absence
Gairm a’ Chlàir agus Leisgeulan

2.  Declarations of Interest/Transparency Statement
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt/ Aithris Fhollaiseachd

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting.  Any Member making a declaration of interest should provide some information on the nature of the interest and leave the meeting at the appropriate time.  Advice may be sought from officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3.  Good News
Naidheachdan Matha

4.  Net Zero Programme

i.  Net Zero Programme Update

There is circulated Report No CCC/9/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  scrutinise and note progress to date as outlined in the report and Appendix 1 of the report; and 
ii.  agree to recommend to the Council the approval of the project brief templates in Appendix 2 of the report for inclusion in the Council’s Net Zero Programme.

ii.  Net Zero Thematic Group Update – Capital Programme and Net Zero  Funding Strategy

There is circulated Report No CCC/10/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the progress being made to identify alternative Net Zero funding options, including the potential use of Climate Bonds and Carbon Credits;
ii. note the launch of a pilot programme testing the Capital Sustainability Assurance Protocol as a decision-making tool within the Capital Programme; and
iii.agree to support the principle of embedding lifecycle carbon analysis into the Council’s Capital Gateway processes to enable data-led, sustainable investment decisions.

iii.  Net Zero Thematic Group Update – Sustainable Business Travel

There is circulated Report No CCC/11/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note:-

i.  the high-level data relating to Elected Member Travel as outlined in the report and presented in Appendix 1 of the report; and
ii. the high-level data relating to Staff Business Travel as outlined in the report and presented in Appendix 2 of the report.

5.  Highlands Adapts Update and Funding Request

There is circulated Report No CCC/12/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note progress to date, the current and planned activities, and the partnership’s role in supporting the Highland Council’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy;
ii.  note the national recognition of Highland Adapts’ approach as a model for regional adaptation partnership; and
iii. agree to recommend to the Council the approval of £15,000 of funding to support the Highland Adapts partnership during financial year 2025/26.

6.  Climate Change Duties Reporting Consultation

There is circulated Report No CCC/13/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the statutory requirement for all public bodies to report annually under the Public Bodies Climate Change Duties; and
ii. agree the Council’s response to the draft statutory guidance consultation (attached as Appendix 1 of the report).

7.  Heat Network Feasibility Report

There is circulated Report No CCC/14/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to note progress to date.

8.  Solar PV Non-Domestic Estate Update

There is circulated Report No CCC/15/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.  the current status of Solar PV generation assets on the Council’s non-domestic estate; and 
ii. the proposed development of new and proposed installations.

9.  Performance Monitoring Report – Q4 2024-25

There is circulated Report No CCC/16/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the Service’s performance information.

10. Delivery Plan Budget Monitoring & Progress Update Q4 2024-25

There is circulated Report No CCC/17/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note progress to date as outlined in this report.