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Climate change

Climate change mitigation and adaptation has long been part of Angus Council's activities. In February 2007, Angus Council signed Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration. In September 2019, Angus Council declared a Climate Emergency.

We recognise the impact for now and future generations, and have a nine-point plan.

In November 2021, the Glasgow COP26 conference ended in success. Nearly 200 countries agreed the Glasgow Climate Pact to keep 1.5 degrees C alive and finalise the outstanding elements of the Paris Agreement. For the target to be achieved global emissions must decline and become net zero by 2050. Net zero means the amount of greenhouse gas emissions we put into the atmosphere and the amount we're able to take out add up to zero. In response, the Scottish Government have set an ambitious target for Scotland to become net zero by 2045.

The following three key documents highlight:

  • the climate challenges faced by Angus and Angus Council
  • the progress achieved to date
  • plans on how Angus Council intends to transition the region towards net zero

Angus Council Transition to Net Zero Action Plan: 2022 to 2030

The Angus Council Transition to Net Zero Action Plan: 2022 to 2030 was approved on 8 September 2022.

The purpose of this Transition to Net Action Plan (2022 to 2030) is to ensure Angus Council meet the 2030 Scottish Government interim emissions reduction target of a 75% reduction in emission, en route to the Net Zero target by 2045. The key themes identified below, will be used drive emission reductions within key operational areas to meet the 2030 interim emissions reduction target:

  • Leadership, Governance & Procurement
  • Buildings, Energy & Infrastructure
  • Waste, Recycling & Circular Economy
  • Fleet & Business Travel
  • Land Use Adaptation

Within each of these key themes, Action Plans containing emission reduction projects and initiatives have been developed. This will be a live document; it will evolve as technologies emerge and mature, as budget resources allow and as new techniques and practices develop.

The 2023/24 annual update on the implementation of the Transition to Net Zero Action Plan was approved by the Policy & Resources Committee in December 2024. The Council is progressing towards the 2030 target of 75% reduction in emissions; from the base year of 2012/13 to the end of the financial year 2023/24, the Council reduced its emissions by 60%. But, the reductions aren’t happening at the required rate. During 2023/24 emissions reduced by 4.6% compared to the previous financial year, but the target was a 5.8% reduction. Staff and financial resources are key to maintaining the required rate of reductions.

A RAG rating (red, amber, and green colour scheme) has been used to easily identify the progress of the actions. Red identifies actions that have not been progressed yet; amber identifies that the action is in  progress or is an ongoing action; and green shows the action is complete. Significant progress has been made with several of the actions being implemented or completed.

The Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP)

The Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) was approved on 4 November 2021.

It supports Angus in its commitment to:

  • sustainable development
  • environmental management
  • the transition to a low-carbon economy

This plan provides a roadmap. This highlights areas where Angus can :

  • reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • create potential adaptation actions in response to climate change

It also lists measures to provide sustainable, affordable, and secure access to energy.

Following consultation with key stakeholders within Angus Council, community groups, businesses and third sector organisations, a series of deliverable actions have been set throughout six key sectors:

  • buildings
  • energy
  • transport
  • land use
  • forestry, agriculture and food
  • waste

The plan also includes governance and process actions.

Angus Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy

The Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) is at the heart of a place based, locally led and tailored approach to the zero-emissions heat transition. Essentially the LHEES seeks to understand which energy efficiency measures and heat decarbonisation options are suitable for different building types across Angus. The LHEES is primarily driven by Scotland’s statutory targets of Net Zero emissions by 2045 and by 2040, as far as reasonably possible, no household in Scotland is in fuel poverty. 

The aim of the Angus LHEES is to:

“Improve the energy efficiency of buildings and ensure a just transition to decarbonised heat sources across Angus to reduce Fuel Poverty and contribute towards achieving Net Zero emissions”.

The LHEES has been developed by the council, but it needs to be supported and delivered by everyone in Angus. The LHEES has highlighted which options are likely to be available for most buildings and which buildings are going to be harder to treat. 

It will be for individual homeowners, businesses, and landlords to decide what is best for them and their buildings. Angus must transition as quickly, and as fairly, as possible to zero-emissions heating to help achieve Net Zero emissions by 2045 in Angus and to help mitigate the climate crisis, which is becoming increasingly evident across Angus. 

The LHEES Delivery will be challenging but it will provide long-term benefits and opportunities for Angus. It is hoped in years to come Angus will have a zero-emissions, fair and secure energy system to allow the people of Angus to live, work and play in comfort knowing that they won’t face high levels fuel poverty and their homes and buildings aren’t contributing to climate change.

There are currently funding streams available for energy efficiency improvements and heat decarbonisation:

  • Home Energy Scotland: each property and household circumstances can be different, therefore the amount of grant funding and / or customer contribution can vary. By applying through the central Home Energy Scotland hub, homeowners, tenants, and private landlords can find out exactly what funding they can obtain.
  • Business Energy Scotland: offer a loan scheme for eligible SME's to help pay for energy efficiency projects.

Public Bodies Duty Report

Angus Council submits an annual statutory report to the Scottish Government on our progress in contributing to Scotland’s ambitious climate change targets:

  • 90% by 2040
  • net-zero target for 2045

The report details targets set, actions taken, outcomes achieved and further actions required.

The Climate Change Member Officer Group monitors our climate change response. It considers the council's progress in greenhouse gas reduction, implementing land use adaptation, and wider sustainability topics that play a part in our journey towards net zero.

Environment and Climate Change Action in Angus - Map

Communities in Angus have felt the acute impacts of climate change in recent years. From the devastating flooding in Brechin as a result of Storm Babet in 2023, to the increased erosion of the sand dunes in Montrose and along the Angus coast - the effects of climate change are becoming more prominent.

This map showcases action on the ground in Angus through local community groups and projects who are working to improve their local environment. The map has been produced in partnership with the Angus Climate Hub and displays action across the following sectors:

  • Active Travel
  • Biodiversity
  • Climate Change
  • Local Produce
  • Reducing Waste

Available to view here: Environment and Climate Change Action in Angus interactive map.

If you would like to contribute to the map, please let us know by emailing sustainableangus@angus.gov.uk.

Local Climate Impacts Profiles

Angus Council has published two Local Climate Impacts Profiles.

These give us a better understanding of our exposure to weather and climate and the area’s vulnerability to severe weather events.

This means we can measure the impact on local communities and our assets. We can also assess our capacity to deliver services.

Net Zero Guide for Schools

During Angus Climate Week 2022 a Net Zero Guide for Schools was launched. Primary school pupils will become Climate Action Superheroes to help transform their schools into climate friendly, Net Zero zones by completing various missions!

For any support or questions relating to the guide please email sustainableangus@angus.gov.uk

More on climate change and transitioning to a low carbon lifestyle

For more information contact sustainableangus@angus.gov.uk