PICTURES: Extinction Rebellion Highland welcomes council commitment to green recovery – but wants more than just words
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CLIMATE change protesters are welcoming moves towards a green recovery from the pandemic.
Highland Council has recognised the pressing need to build on positive behaviour changes and emissions reductions arising from the Covid-19 lockdown to accelerate the region’s shift to a net zero carbon future.
The council declared a climate and ecological emergency in May last year but has been criticised for not doing enough.
“XR will always base its appraisal on the council’s actions, not just its words.”
Members of Extinction Rebellion (XR) Highland made their point in protests in Inverness city centre and Dingwall last week.
A group spokeswoman said: “It is heartening to hear Highland Council leaders recommit to a green economic recovery.
“Stating that the reduced energy use, home working and active travel gains made during the pandemic will be incorporated going forward is welcome news. Particularly pleasing is Highland Council’s commitment to a just transition by redirecting investments to low carbon projects.
“One of Extinction Rebellion’s stated aims is that we must have a fairer, as well as a greener future which protects people who need to be retrained and redeployed. Highland Council’s commitment is in line with XR Highland’s socially distanced action last week which lobbied MPs and MSPs to urge the Scottish and UK governments to promote a green recovery.
“We do wonder, though, how the council’s commitment to being carbon neutral by 2025 is compatible with the recent approval of the Sutherland spaceport. This will cause loss of precious peatland, release carbon and reduce biodiversity and be highly polluting.
“XR will always base its appraisal on the council’s actions, not just its words.”
During lockdown, the council benefited from reduced consumption of electricity, gas and oil and lower transport emissions from staff commuting and business travel.
Its energy costs in April and May were down by £768,000, a reduction of a third compared to the same period in 2019.
The council is also investing around £750,000 in a Spaces for People programme of temporary walking, cycling and wheeling routes in a bid to make it easier and safer for people to travel actively, further reducing transport-related emissions.
Council leader Margaret Davidson said: “While the Covid-19 emergency came out of the blue, the climate and ecological emergency hasn’t, and as a council we are already taking action and investing in our climate change commitments.
“However, we also recognise the pressing need to take the learnings and positive outcomes from the pandemic, such as reduced travel, working from home and the increasing interest in local food growing and production, and use this to reshape how we operate as a council going forward.”
Depute council leader Alasdair Christie said: “We have the ideal opportunity to refresh and focus our commitment to address climate change and put in place measures to go even further in reducing our emissions, while also identifying opportunities for energy efficiency and other savings.
“We need to look at making best use of our natural resources, offering opportunities for carbon friendly investment/offsetting, identifying critical projects and leading on more carbon efficient public services.”
Related: Campaigners in Ross-shire say inaction puts lives at risk
