Friday 6 November 2020

Edinburgh Council smashes emissions target a year ahead of schedule

The City of Edinburgh Council has smashed its own emissions reduction target a year ahead of schedule.

Latest figures reveal since 2005/06, the council's carbon emissions have been reduced by 60% - outstripping its aim of a 42% reduction by 2021.

It says the reduction in emissions is largely due to a waste reprocessing facilities at Millerhill becoming fully operational in 2019/20, which has helped divert more than 107,000 tonnes of rubbish from landfill.

The facility turns the waste into a resource which generates energy and also removes and recycles metals from waste.

The council adds it will now focus on meeting its new target of net zero emissions by 2030.

Councillor Adam McVey, Council Leader and Policy and Sustainability Convener said: “Exceeding our own carbon emissions target ahead of schedule is a major achievement and hugely encouraging and shows that the work we are doing to lower emissions and drive towards a net zero position is having a real positive impact.

“Our focus remains on becoming a net zero carbon capital city by 2030. This is an important step forward but there is still much more we need to be do if we’re to meet this goal and we can only achieve this is everyone is behind our efforts to build a sustainable future for Edinburgh.”

The new report also reveals stationary emissions, which cover emissions from energy users now make up three quarters of the council's carbon emissions footprint.

Emissions from transport make up 16%, landfill waste, recycling and waste energy recovery account for 8% and water supply and treatment make up 1% of emissions.