Monday 11 May 2020

Aberdeen Council agrees on net zero vision

Members of Aberdeen City Council have unanimously agreed on a plan to reach net zero.

The report suggests 'in the current perfect storm' of Covid-19, the city's recovery phase should not be like that used to come back from previous downturns and must make case for Aberdeen's role in the energy transition "even more compelling" to the UK Government and the Scottish Government.

The plan demonstrates a set of 'immediate next steps' including the elimination of the need to buy petrol or diesel cars by 2032, the support of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and the expansion of energy-efficient buildings.

Actions will also aim to engage with the public on emission-reduction opportunities and lifestyle changes such as by encouraging more walking and cycling, having healthier diets and adopting new low carbon technologies including EVs and low carbon heating.

Jenny Laing, Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader, said: "Green recovery will be a big part of how the Aberdeen economy responds to Covid-19 and the net zero vision already builds on the plans we have in the local outcome improvement plan.

“This provides an opportunity for the city to become an exemplar in the energy transition towards net zero and lead the way in how to change in a dynamic and thoughtful way. It also aligns to the work of World Energy Cities Partnership and its work around climate change."