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 13 August 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.  Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh 

The Committee is asked to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 26 June 2025 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Climate Change Committee. 

4.  Good News
Naidheachdan Matha

5.  World Heritage Site Presentation
Taisbeanadh Làrach Dualchas na Cruinne

Roxanne Anderson, UHI Professor of Peatland Science and Trustee of the Flow Country Partnership, will deliver a presentation about the Flow Country, the value and importance of peatlands in addressing the climate and ecological emergencies, inscription of the Flow Country as a World Heritage site (WHS) and the Partnership’s ambitions for the future.  The Flow Country WHS is the first peatland World Heritage Site, and Scotland’s first World Heritage Site inscribed purely for natural criteria.

6.  Net Zero Programme
Prògram Neoni Luim

i.  Net Zero Programme Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Phrògram Neoni Luim

There is circulated Report No CCC/18/25 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 – Waste
     Cunntas às Ùr mu Bhuidheann Chuspaireil Neoni Luim – Sgudal

There is circulated Report No CCC/19/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to consider and note the progress of actions by the Waste Thematic Group.

iii. Net Zero Thematic Group Update – Planning, Land Use and Environment
     Cunntas às Ùr mu Bhuidheann Chuspaireil Neoni Luim – Planadh, Cleachdadh
     Fearainn agus Àrainneachd

There is circulated Report No CCC/20/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to consider and note the progress of actions by the Planning, Land Use and Environment Thematic Group.

7.  Climate Change Adaptation Strategy
Ro-innleachd Freagarrachaidh Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No CCC/21/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    agree to recommend to the Council the approval of the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy set out at Appendix 2 of the report; and
ii.    note that the Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan will be brought to the Climate Change Committee for consideration, prior to full Council approval and publication.
 
8.  Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Project Update
 Lorgair-slighe Bun-structair Charbadan-dealain – Ath Cheumannan

There is circulated Report No CCC/22/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the current status of the EV Infrastructure project; and
ii.    scrutinise and note the outcome of the Integrated Impact Assessment.

9.  Performance Monitoring Report - Q1 2025-26
Aithisg Sgrùdadh Coileanaidh – R1 2025–26

There is circulated Report No CCC/23/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

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

10.  Delivery Plan Budget Monitoring and Progress Update Q1 2025-26 – Net Zero, Energy Investment and Innovation Portfolio – Net Zero Programme    
Aithris Plana Lìbhrigidh – Cunntas às Ùr mu Adhartas R1 2025–26 

There is circulated Report No CCC/24/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

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