Time for a conversation about climate change

East Dunbartonshire Council has launched the Climate Conversation to create a productive atmosphere for wide-ranging discussion, ideas and engagement - potentially shaping policies that will affect local lives for generations to come.

The consultation will support the production of the council’s first Climate Action Plan, which will include actions to reduce emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change.

The Climate Conversation is being held until May 2 via www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/CAP, www.facebook.com/edunbartonshirecouncil and Twitter @EDCouncil.

There will be online public discussion sessions, online surveys for young people and wider public, and youth engagement.

The Climate Action Plan will guide actions in East Dunbartonshire to support the

Scottish Government's ambitious targets to secure a 75% reduction in carbon

emissions (compared to 1990) by 2030 and to achieve 'net zero' emissions by 2045.

The plan will set a ‘net zero’ target for East Dunbartonshire as a whole, along with interim targets towards the achievement of that goal.

The Climate Conversation aims to assess public opinion on climate change locally, and is an opportunity for residents and businesses to discuss views and priorities on the action that should be taken to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and improve resilience to the accelerating impacts of climate change.

It will also help to support a green recovery from the economic and social impacts of the pandemic.

Councillor Vaughan Moody, joint leader of the council, said: “I hope as many people as possible can take part in the Climate Conversation, and help to inform our plans to tackle climate change and improve air quality.

"We have a series of challenging targets ahead to reduce carbon emissions, so it’s vital we work together with members of the public, businesses and a range of partners to reach our shared goals.”

The authority’s carbon emissions have already fallen 44 per cent between 2012/13 and 2019/20, and work is underway to deliver a range of actions.