Climate change declaration reaffirmed

Nov 11 2008

  The Leader and Chief Executive have reaffirmed South Lanarkshire Council's commitment to Scotland's Climate Change Declaration.

The declaration was first signed by the Leader, Councillor Eddie McAvoy, and Chief Executive Archie Strang on January 16, 2007.

And it was re-signed by both of them following this month's Executive Committee where the council's progress and commitments under the declaration were reviewed.

The annual report (this link will open in a new window) on actions the council is taking in relation to climate change was also approved at the committee. This set out the considerable progress the council has made in working towards its declaration commitments through the Sustainable Development Strategy.

Key areas of progress include:
Inclusion of climate change related targets in Connect
Adoption of the Council's first Sustainable Development Strategy
Participation in the ecological footprinting project
Adoption of the Council's first Carbon Management Plan
Participation in the Scottish pilot of local climate impacts profiles

Councillor Eddie McAvoy said: "This is an opportunity for local government in particular and other agencies, businesses, voluntary and community organisations and individuals to show leadership at a local level to respond to climate change.

"It is also an opportunity to address climate change by promoting the sustainable development of our local communities."

The report also includes details of the challenges the council faces in meeting the declaration commitments and the areas where it will need to focus.

Chief Executive of South Lanarkshire Council, Archie Strang, said: "We acknowledge that climate change is occurring and human activities are having a significant and potentially dangerous influence.

"Climate change will have far reaching effects on Scotland's people and places, impacting on our economy, society and environment.

"There are significant social, economic and environmental benefits in taking action to combat and prepare for climate change.

"All of us in Scotland have duties and responsibilities to take action to both mitigate and adapt to climate change, and to promote the sustainable development and well-being of our local communities. This signing today reaffirms South Lanarkshire Council's commitment to action."