Highland members of Extinction Rebellion (XR) lobbied councillors attending the council’s climate change panel in Inverness today.
Around 15 people with banners and posters challenged what they perceive as the council’s refusal to declare a climate emergency and simultaneously supporting projects such as the Sutherland spaceport, which XR oppose.
Group spokeswoman Kate MacLachlan said: “We were trying to point out the lack of action by the council and suggest they gauge all infrastructure projects in the future against a carbon counter.
“The spaceport is contrary to their declaration of a climate emergency, and not compatible with their aspiration of ‘high ambition’.
“They need to engage with partner agencies like Scottish Natural Heritage and Highlands and Islands Enterprise on a carbon reduction measures framework.
“We know they are hamstrung by budget constraints and planning laws and we are frustrated more progress is not being made.”
Ms MacLachlan added: “We spoke to council chief executive Donna Manson, and some councillors, and it was pleasant, we felt with some we were speaking to the converted, but the council is just not organised.”
Climate change panel chairwoman Trish Robertson said: “In the meeting we looked at a food strategy for Highland, EV charging points, their costs and challenge to roll out across the Highlands.
“We also discussed the difficulty of replacing single use plastics, because society is so used to them.
“The situation is huge and complex, but if we stopped flying or using HGVs like Extinction Rebellion want, our whole economy and food chain would grind to a halt.”
