Highland Council’s Progress Update on Net Zero Programme

At today’s meeting of the Highland Council’s Climate Change Committee, Members were given an update on the Council’s Net Zero Programme.

Members welcomed the development of projects that will deliver carbon reductions, operational efficiencies and financial savings.

Councillor Sarah Fanet, Chair of the Climate Change Committee said: “Delivery of the Council’s Route Map to Net Zero requires a cross-service collaborative approach. The Climate Change and Energy Team continues to work closely with services across the Council to develop and deliver projects that will accelerate the Council’s transition to Net Zero and becoming a climate-ready organisation.”

Projects include piloting reusable lunch packaging in Kingussie High School to reduce the amount of single-use canteen containers. This is part of a wider project to benchmark waste and recycling rates in schools.

A short-term working group has been formed to support High Life Highland in its ambitions to achieve gold standard in the Green Tourism Award for the Inverness Castle Experience scheduled to open in 2025. The award recognises sustainable practices in the tourism sector.

Additionally, the Council will continue to implement a fleet replacement programme to transition diesel/petrol vehicles to Ultra Low Emission Vehicles. Data relating to staff business travel was presented to the Committee with detailed analysis of the data ongoing to identify opportunities for cost optimisation, improved efficiency, and reduced emissions.

Councillor Sarah Fanet added: “The Climate Change Committee is responsible for the oversight of the Net Zero Programme including the scrutiny of progress and performance, and it is encouraging to see a number of projects coming to fruition following Member discussion.”

For more information on the Highland Council's Net Zero Programme and to view the full reports, please visit: https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/5161/climate_change_committee