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 5 November 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
Prògram Neoni Luim

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

There is circulated Report No CCC/25/25 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 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 Interim Update – Built Estate and Energy 
Cunntas às Ùr mu Bhuidheann Chuspaireil Neoni Luim - Oighreachd Thogte agus Lùth

There is circulated Report No CCC/26/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.  the contents of the report; and
ii. that a detailed update on the work being progressed through the Built Estate and Energy Thematic Group will be presented to the Climate Change Committee in January 2026.

iii.    Net Zero Thematic Group Update – Social Housing and Housing Revenue Account 
Cunntas às Ùr mu Bhuidheann Chuspaireil Neoni Luim - Taigheadas Sòisealta agus Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais

There is circulated Report No CCC/27/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to consider and note the progress of actions by the Social Housing and Housing Revenue Account Thematic Group.

5.  Annual Report under the Public Bodies Climate Change Duties 2024/25    
Aithisg Bhliadhnail fo Dhleastanasan Atharrachadh Gnàth-shìde nam Buidhnean Poblach 2024/25

There is circulated Report No CCC/28/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   consider and agree the Highland Council’s draft Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Report 2024/25 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report;
ii.  consider and note progress against the organisation’s emissions reductions targets; and
iii. agree to recommend to the Council that the current carbon reduction targets are maintained until the evaluation of the carbon budgeting and analysis tools is complete. This will ensure future targets are informed by robust, data-led evidence, accurately reflecting the full impact of operational activities and avoiding the risk of setting unrealistic targets that could undermine engagement and progress toward Net Zero.

6.  Climate Change Impact Assessment Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Bhuaidh Atharrachadh Gnàth-shìde

There is circulated Report No CCC/29/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  consider and note the contents of the report; and
ii. agree to recommend to the Council the approval of the project brief template in Appendix 2 of the report for inclusion in the Council’s Net Zero Programme.

7.  Delivery Plan Budget Monitoring and Progress Update Q2 2025/26 – Net Zero, Energy Investment and Innovation Portfolio - Net Zero Delivery - Heat Networks 
Sgrùdadh Buidseit agus Cunntas Adhartais Plana Lìbhrigidh R2 2025/26 – Neoni Lom, Tasgadh Lùtha agus Cùram-roinne Ùr-ghnàthachaidh – Lìbhrigeadh Neoni Luim – Lìonraidhean Teasa

There is circulated Report No CCC/30/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

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

8.  Energy Benchmarking of Non-Domestic Property Estate
A’ Dèanamh Comharrachadh-measaidh air Lùth ann an Oighreachd Seilbhe Neo-Dhachaigheil

There is circulated Report No CCC/31/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to note the refreshed Energy Benchmarking Tool, which now incorporates 2024/25 data.

9.  Performance Monitoring Report - Q2 2025/26
Aithisg Sgrùdadh Coileanaidh - R2 2025/26

There is circulated Report No CCC/32/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

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