Shetland Islands Council is inviting responses to an online survey on tackling climate change.
The Council’s recently formed Climate Change Programme focuses on reducing Shetland’s waste production and greenhouse gas emissions. To help gather views and identify emerging issues, local householders and businesses are asked to respond to an online survey, the results of which will feed into a “Net Zero” future plan for Shetland.
The online survey will mark the start of an ongoing local “climate conversation” covering key topics such as energy supply, transport, business and industry, reuse and recycling, and buildings and land use.
The Scottish Government has implemented legislation with a target date of 2045 for Scotland to achieve net-zero of all greenhouse gases – aiming to make a definitive contribution to climate change within one generation. Actions include decarbonisation of the public sector and engaging with business and industry, as well as encouraging individuals to move towards low carbon living.
Shetland’s carbon footprint is 10.2 tonnes of CO2 per capita, which is almost twice the national average of 5.3 tonnes. Shetland’s location, island transport links, industries and dispersed rural population, are all seen as contributing factors to this statistic.
Ryan Thomson, Chair of the Council’s Environment and Transport Committee, said: “I’d urge folk to give us their views on how we can all work towards reducing Shetland’s carbon footprint. This survey is the start of our ‘climate conversation’ and an open dialogue with the community, including local businesses, organisations and individuals. As we look ahead to recover from the pandemic, Shetland is well placed to support a greener recovery and we all need to play our part.”
The online survey is open to all Shetland residents and will be available for the next four weeks.
In addition to completing the survey, anyone with particular comments can contact the Council’s Climate Change Strategy Team by email on climatechange@shetland.gov.uk.