Councillors have agreed a new climate change policy for Aberdeenshire which will be issued to staff across the region.
Members of the policy and resources committee backed a draft environmental action plan when they met in Aberdeen yesterday.
The updated guidelines, which have already been approved by the sustainability subcommittee, take into account the council’s legal carbon emissions obligations.
Staff will be asked to monitor the environmental impact of all their activities. The document also puts the reduction of emissions at the heart of planning policy.
Council bosses will consider how the authority’s transport can be overhauled in the long term to be more energy efficient. This will include cutting staff travel and using more renewable energy.
Infrastructure boss Stephen Archer said: “This is a good story – a piece in a jigsaw that is complex. Alongside this is the work being done on the carbon budget. That will be ready in February.”
Liberal Democrat councillor Isobel Davidson said: “It’s taken a long time to get here but we’re really moving ahead. It’s really important that the leadership show and example.”
And councillor Paul Johnston, a member of the Democratic Independent and Green Group, added: “I thoroughly welcome the report. It’s great we will be the first council to come forward with a carbon budget.”
