Climate / Folk urged to respond to council climate change survey
PEOPLE in Shetland are being invited to respond to a survey on tackling climate change.
Shetland Islands Council’s recently established climate change programme focuses on reducing the isles’ 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 council said 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 aims for the country to be ‘net-zero’ of all greenhouse gases by 2045.
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.
Its location, island transport links such as ferries, industries and dispersed rural population, are all seen as contributing factors.
SIC environment and transport committee chairman councillor Ryan Thomson 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 can be found here 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
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