Agenda
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A meeting of the Climate Change Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 20 May 2026 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. Presentation: Re-meandering the River Peffery
Taisbeanadh: Ag ath-lùbadh Abhainn Pheofharain
Richard Lockett of Lockett Agri-Environmental will give a presentation on the River Peffery Catchment Restoration Project, showcasing a catchment-scale, nature-based approach to climate resilience and nature recovery. The project builds on earlier restoration at Fodderty, combining large-scale river re-meandering with peatland restoration in the upper catchment on Ben Wyvis National Nature Reserve to restore natural river processes, enhance biodiversity, and reduce flood risk to Dingwall Business Park.
5. Net Zero Programme
Prògram Neoni Luim
i. Net Zero Programme Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Phrògram Neoni Luim
There is circulated Report No CCC/05/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.
The Committee is invited to:-
i. scrutinise and note progress of the Net Zero Programme as outlined in the report and Appendix 1 of the report; and
ii. note that, following Council approval of the Climate Change, Energy and Community Resilience Strategic Paper, proposals relating to governance, performance reporting and long-term programme delivery will be brought to Council for consideration.
ii. Net Zero Thematic Group Update – Procurement & Community Wealth Building
Cunntas às Ùr air Buidheann Chuspaireil Neoni Luim – Togail Saidhbhreas Coimhearsnachd Solarachd 8
There is circulated Report No CCC/06/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.
The Committee is invited to:-
i. agree to recommend to the Council approval of the proposed approach to strengthening the Council’s carbon reporting, management and decision-support capability;
ii. agree to recommend that the Council progresses a 12-month managed engagement with Eden Seven, as set out in Section 6, to support delivery of this approach; and
iii. note the role of procurement and the Social Value Charter in supporting emissions reduction and Community Wealth Building outcomes, particularly in relation to supply chain (Scope 3) emissions.
iii. Net Zero Thematic Group Update – Capital Programme & Net Zero Funding
Cunntas às Ùr air Buidheann Chuspaireil Neoni Luim – Prògram Calpa & Maoineachadh Neoni Luim
There is circulated Report No CCC/07/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.
The Committee is invited to note the progress of workstreams as outlined in the report.
6. Highland Climate Change Risk and Opportunity Assessment
Measadh Chunnartan & Chothroman Atharrachadh Gnàth-shìde na Gàidhealtachd
There is circulated Report No CCC/08/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.
The Committee is invited to:-
i. note the contents of the report and its associated appendices; and
ii. agree to recommend to the Council that the Highland Climate Change Risk and Opportunity Assessment and the Council’s internal cross-service engagement should be used to inform the next stage of the Council’s climate adaptation work, including the development of the Corporate Climate Risk and Opportunity Assessment and the Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan.
7. Just Transition Commission Final Report (2026): No Time to Lose
Aithisg Coimisean an Eadar-ghluasaid Chothromaich: Chan Eil Ùine ri Chall
There is circulated Report No CCC/09/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.
The Committee is invited to note:-
i. the key findings of the Just Transition Commission final report and recognise their direct relevance to the Highland context;
ii. that the Council will continue to develop a place-based, programme-led approach to climate, energy and resilience delivery, aligned with the March 2026 Council report;
iii. that the Council will use the report to support engagement with Scottish and UK Government with a focus on securing increased capacity and funding for local authorities; and
iv. that delivery of a just transition at regional level will require aligned investment, infrastructure planning and community wealth building. This will continue to be reflected in the Council’s programme and investment approach.
8. Performance Monitoring Report – Q4 2025/26
Aithisg Sgrùdadh Coileanaidh – R4 2025/26
There is circulated Report No CCC/10/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.
The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the Service’s performance information.