Sunday 22 December 2024
 6.3°C   NNW Moderate Breeze
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts

Climate / Challenges ahead on the path to sustainable travel

Climate Action Shetland hopes for climate conversations across the isles

The Bressay ferry Leirna. Photo: Shetland News

SHETLAND is facing “significant issues” in developing strategies to decarbonise its internal and external transport links, according to the local authority’s chairman of its environment and transport committee.

Councillor Ryan Thomson was reacting to an investigation by Shetland News last week which revealed the high carbon cost of travelling between the isles and the Scottish mainland.

Meanwhile, campaign group Shetland Climate Action is calling for a Shetland-wide conversation about low carbon lifestyle and the impact of individual choice.

Inter-island travel is equally carbon intensive with the internal ferry network amounting to around half of the council’s own carbon footprint.

Chair of the SIC’s transport and environment committee, councillor Ryan Thomson. Photo: Shetland News

Thomson said: ”These findings highlight the significant issues we face both as a local authority and a transport partnership in focusing on the climate agenda and developing a path to more sustainable travel options both within Shetland and to/from Shetland as well as improving the performance of our existing transport services and infrastructure.

“A collaborative approach between local and national government, and the companies and organisations which serve Shetland is essential if we are to achieve the national net zero targets.”

The SIC has just published a short paper titled Key Carbon Reduction Actions which lists a number of decarbonising targets including renewing all internal ferries with zero-carbon vessels, or becoming zero-carbon capable within 10 years, and /or replacing internal ferry routes with fixed links.

The ageing internal ferry fleet is responsible for half the council’s carbon footprint, which sits at an estimated 22,000 tonnes in total in 2020/21.

Scottish Greens MSP for the Highlands and Islands John Finnie. Photo: Shetland News

Become a member of Shetland News

 

Green Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie called on the Scottish Government to put its money where its mouth is and invest in carbon reducing technologies.

Finnie said: “As a maritime nation, with a skilled shipbuilding workforce, there is a tremendous opportunity to ensure a pipeline of a modern, efficient fleet.

“I call on the cabinet secretary to reinvigorate the ferry replacement plan, which should including the Shetland and Orkney internal ferries, thereby improving connectivity, reducing the impact on our environment and creating and retaining valuable jobs.”

His call was echoed by Orkney MSP Liam McArthur who again highlighted the urgent need for procurement of replacement vessels for Orkney’s internal ferry services.

On Wednesday, islands minister Paul Wheelhouse said the government’s immediate focus was on developing the vessel replacement and deployment plan in the Clyde and Hebrides and supporting the workforce at Inverclyde.

Responding to the Shetland News investigation, a spokeswoman for Shetland Climate Action said individuals were equally responsible for adapting to a low carbon lifestyle.

Isa Kristiansen-Bragg said: “There’s been much talk about the role of local and national government in reducing their contribution to the climate crisis but we, as individuals, also hold power – around 40 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions come from the choices we make as individuals.

“Adopting a low carbon lifestyle is only possible when an individual can access simple information to compare the environmental impact of whatever is on the table.

“Every choice a consumer makes will have an impact on our planet. The more information available, the more informed choices we can make.

“We welcome this new debate on the environmental impact of reaching the mainland and hope this sparks conversations across Shetland.”

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have you considered becoming a member of Shetland News?

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please consider paying for membership and get the following features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.