Climate Change Annual Report - Year 4
Perth and Kinross Council · 25 February 2026
Back to Perth and Kinross Council — 25 February 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Our vision is a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality ___________________________________________________________________ Committee or Board: Perth and Kinross Council Date of Meeting: 25 February 2026 Report Title: Climate Change Annual Report – Year 4 Report Number: 26/49 Report Author: Divindy Grant (Team Leader Climate Change and Sustainable Development) Pete Leonard (Climate Change and Zero Waste Manager) Organisational Lead: Fraser Crofts (Strategic Lead – Environment and Infrastructure) 1. Purpose 1.1 This report is the fourth annual Climate Action Report. It provides an update on Perth and Kinross Council’s (PKC) progress delivering its Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and delivering our statutory responsibilities. It reviews overall performance and progress and then explores the progress in each of the eight themes identified in the plan. It proposes an annual update to the action plan for Year 5 and identifies the associated resources required to deliver them. 1.2 The report highlights the good progress made and wide range of outcomes achieved. It also highlights the main delivery challenges the Council has, which are increased by the changing severity and frequency of climate impacts facing the Perth and Kinross Council area. 1.3 Sections 1. Purpose 2. Sections 3. Recommendations 4. Background/Context 5. Main Issues 6. Proposals 7. Conclusion 8. Impact Value Assessment 9. Appendices
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2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Council: 2.1 Notes the progress achieved and approves the proposed amendments to the Climate Change Action Plan and KPI framework. 2.2 Notes and approves amendments to Perth & Kinross Climate Risk and Opportunity Register. 2.3 Requests Members and Officers to continue to raise the resource and delivery challenges associated with addressing the climate and biodiversity emergency with COSLA, the Scottish and UK governments, and other relevant bodies whenever appropriate. 2.4 Notes that the resources required to take forward priority actions to be considered in the annual Revenue and Capital Budget setting processes. 3. Background/Context Legislation and targets 3.1 The UK Climate Change Act 2008 sets the UK’s approach to climate change and commits the UK Government to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Act also requires the UK government to produce a UK Climate Change Risk Assessment every five years in order to assess current and future risks and opportunities for the UK from climate change. 3.2 Scotland has set more ambitious legislation in the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 which makes provisions about advice, plans and reports in relation to targets for the reduction of greenhouse gases emissions. This includes reaching net zero by 2045. In 2024, amendments to this act were passed that formally shifted the Scottish Government from annual emissions targets to 5-yearly carbon budgets to start from 2026. The net zero date of 2045 is unchanged. 3.3 The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 Act also placed a duty on Scottish Ministers to act on climate change adaptation and prepare a programme of action. The third Scottish National Adaptation Programme (SNAP3) was launched in 2024 and addresses the risks set out in the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment 2023 to help Scotland prepare for the impact of climate change. 3.4 The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 has also given local authorities the duty to ensure their local authority areas decarbonise in line with the Scottish Government Targets; are resilient to the impacts of climate change; and promote sustainable development. Compliance with this means climate change should be considered at the heart of every council decision, as well developing new streams of activity.
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3.5 There are several pieces of corresponding legislation that put additional climate related duties onto Local Authorities. These include the Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (Scotland) Order (2022) and the Heat Networks Scotland Act (2021). Perth and Kinross Council’s strategic approach 3.6 In December 2021, the Council approved its Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (Report No. 21/245 refers), which covers the identified necessary actions for the Council at both an area-wide and Council operational scale. This report set the strategic principles for the Council’s approach to addressing the climate emergency and provided detailed action plans for eight key thematic areas. These include Transport, Buildings & Energy, Waste & Circular Economy, Business & Industry, Land Use, Resilience, Education& Engagement and Governance. There are 30 teams across the Council responsible for delivering the 186 actions in the plan. 3.7 The Report acknowledged that as climate action is a rapidly changing environment, this plan will need to be constantly evolving and included a requirement to provide an annual update to Council the Climate Change Action Plan. 3.8 In November 2022, the Council formally declared a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency (Report No. 22/272 refers). The Council furthered its commitment to tackling the Climate and Biodiversity Emergencies by naming ‘Tackling Climate Change’ as one of its seven Corporate Plan priorities (Report No. 22/311 refers). 3.9 The Council agreed, at its meeting on 30 August 2021, to establish the Perth and Kinross Climate Change Commission (Report No. 21/142 refers). The Commission met for the first time in July 2022 and has been on-going since then. In 2024, the Climate Commission rebranded as SHIFT. 3.10 In February 2022 (Report No 22/35), the Council approved an additional £500,000 of recurring revenue budget to address the Top Priority items identified in the action plan. On 01 March 2023 (Report No. 23/72 refers), the Council agreed an additional £45,000 to fund the creating of a Climate Change Land Restoration Officer. As part of the 2024/25 budget setting process, £50k of savings were taken from the Climate Change recurring budget (Report No. 24/63 refers). 3.11 In addition, the Council has also signed up to a number of initiatives. By becoming signatories to the Covenant of Mayors, the Edinburgh Declaration and the Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration (Report No. 21/209 refers), the Council has enhanced its commitment to taking its responsibilities seriously.
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4. Main Issues 4.1 This report covers the progress in Year 4 of the CCAP made between October 2024 and September 2025. The Perth and Kinross Climate Change Update - 2025 (Appendix A) provides a full summary of progress, performance and next steps. The key points are summarised below. Key Achievements 4.2 There has been progress to note across the Council’s six Strategic Priorities identified in the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan attributed to all of the eight delivery plan themes. Highlights of this progress include: 1. Achieving Net Zero aligned with the Paris Agreement and the Scottish Government Targets, with the ambition of achieving them sooner. • We reduced the Council’s own emissions by 16% year-on year with year-on-year reductions seen across all areas. • We maintained our top CDP Cities A rating, one of only 3 Scottish Local Authorities to achieve this. • Our upgraded Building Management System software reduced energy consumption by 3,000MWh in its first year, with annual financial savings of circa £100,000. (Buildings and Energy) • We opened Scotland’s first Passivhaus Leisure Centre - Blairgowrie Recreation Centre and Perth High School our first Passivhaus secondary school. (Buildings and Energy) • We piloted the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in our Refuse Collection Vehicles. This will improve air quality and save 700-1000 tCO2e annually (Transport) • PKC secured £1.1M funding from Transport Scotland for EV charging points. A private operator will be appointed to install and operate 64 new charging points over 3 years across PKC. (Transport) 2. Building a more resilient Perth and Kinross • We launched Climate Ready Tayside together with Angus and Dundee Councils in spring 2025. This new regional adaptation partnership will address cross-boundary risks and share best practice. (Resilience) • Our Ash Dieback programme to screen, monitor and remove diseased trees commenced in summer 2025, with over 1,000 trees already surveyed (Resilience) • Work has started onsite to build the £40.8m Comrie Flood scheme designed to protect 189 homes and businesses. (Resilience) • We are taking a proactive approach to landslip risk with 39 at risk infrastructure and greenspace sites identified with inspections underway. We are one of the only local authorities in Scotland to do this. (Resilience) • The number of Perth and Kinross community resilience groups this year has nearly doubled this year to 63. We have supported them by
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providing over £220k in grants, £80k in equipment and training in how to use key tools like box walls. (Resilience) 3. Delivering a fair transition and a green recovery We lowered the energy costs for our Council tenants by improving energy efficiency. There has been a reduction in number of PKC Domestic properties at EPC Bands E and F achieving and all should achieve EPC Band D or above for Dec 2025 and increase in properties with EPC Bands B and above. The Council’s contract with SCARF has led to an eradication £3,360 in fuel debt for residents and an estimated £51,660 in savings in annual fuel costs. (Buildings and Energy) The PKC Green Capital Development Grant Fund has been awarded to 31 businesses this year to help boost and green their operations. Of the 23 of these businesses that have so far completed their projects, they collectively leveraged an additional £5,241,000 of private investment into the Perth and Kinross economy from the £451,000 they received (Business and Industry). We developed the legal, planning, design and infrastructure aspects of the proposed Perth Eco-Innovation Park (PEIP) as a Net Zero exemplar and beginning to prepare marketing materials for the site (Business and Industry). 4. Preventing an ecological emergency and enhancing biodiversity We are a founding partner for the Leven Landscape Enterprise Network. The Council’s £20k of NRF match funding helped leverage £155k of private investment to help make the Leven landscape healthy and productive while boosting biodiversity and uplifting local communities (Land Use). With our Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) allocation, 22 projects were funded in Year 4 to deliver restoration by both the Council and our communities These include woodland planning, INNS control, farmland biodiversity, pond creation, pollinator planting and tree nursery development. (Land Use) We are developing Nature Networks for key ecosystems - public engagement in spring 2025 had over 70 people contributing. (Land Use) We planted over 3,100 trees this year across Council parks and maintained open spaces that will boost nature, sequester climate and provide amenity for our residents and visitors. (Land Use) We nearly doubled the area managed for our Grow Wild programme to 120ha (Land Use) 5. Engaging and empowering our children and young people Our 3rd Annual Youth Climate Conference focussed on Green Skills & Careers, with 90 pupils and teachers from secondary schools engaged (Education & Engagement).
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We launched a Schools Recycling Project to invest in internal recycling resources and fit-for-purpose solutions to improve recycling rates in schools and completed Phase 1 (Education & Engagement). We had successful engagement with schools for energy audits during holiday shut down. Eight schools were chosen for project. Perth Grammar School reduced their holiday consumption by 70% compared to the previous year; Blairgowrie High School managed a reduction of 26% on the previous year (Buildings and Energy). We had successful engagement with pilot eight schools for energy audits during holiday shut down, with the following year-on-year savings: o Perth Grammar School - 70% reduction o Blairgowrie High School - 26% reduction (Buildings and Energy) We increased the annual number of pupils trained to Bikeability Level 2 by 500 this year, with 2110 P6 and P7 pupils trained. (Transport) 6. Empowering our communities We supported the creation and launch of Climate Connect Perth & Kinross, a community network, funded by the Scottish Government, designed to bring together all groups carrying out climate actions across Perth and Kinross (Education & Engagement) We are supporting 12 communities to become Biodiversity towns and villages. (Land Use) We supported over 1,638 households with free home energy advice and support for Council tenants and Perth and Kinross residents (Buildings and Energy) We commenced a mattress recycling project in conjunction with PUSH in Perth using funds from the Recycling Improvement FundIn its first six months of operation 197 mattresses have been diverted from disposal and have found new homes (Waste and Recycling). Delivery 4.3 The Climate Change Action Plan is made up of 186 actions across the eight thematic areas. As of 30 September 2025, 90% of actions showed good or some progress – this is made up of: 15% of actions were marked as complete (28 no.); 38% (71 no.) of actions were classified as Green (on-track) and 37% (68 no.) as Amber (some progress, but not progressing as quickly as envisioned or long-term funding still to be secured). Comparing year-on-year performance shows there are now 16 actions more actions classified as on- track. Appendix A summarises progress by theme and the action plan in Appendix B provides updates on every action.
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Figure 1 Status of Actions in the CCSAP at the end of Year 4 71, 38% 68, 37% 17, [PERCEN TAGE] 28, 15% Status of CCSAP Year 4 Actions (as of 30/9/25) Green Amber Red Complete 4.4 In October 2024, Members selected a revised ‘Top 25’ list of priority actions. All of these priority actions have progressed this year, with 60% green or complete and 40% amber. In-year staffing increases and capital allocations from Scottish Government Climate Change funding will help several of the Amber actions make further progress over Year 5. Actions related to flood risk management and the development of additional Park & Choose sites are dependent on external funding and external actors to make significant progress. Performance 4.5 The CCAP has 63 KPIs across the eight thematic areas, with annual performance updates detailed in Appendix C. Of these, seven high-level key performance indicators (KPIs) have been established to give an overview of the Council’s progress towards net zero. As can be seen from Table 1, six of the seven KPIs positively show year-on-year improvement. Indicator 6 positively shows that there has been an improvement in the overall quantity of indicators showing positive change. It should be noted that due to the lag of the data sources being published, the values reported range from 2023 to 2025, so many reflect only limited changes due to the implementation of the Climate Action Plan. Our performance data highlights that while we are trending in the right direction, the need to accelerate the pace of action to remain aligned to the Paris Agreement and national targets.
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Table 1 Key Performance Indicator performance KPI Target Current value % change over previous year 1. Perth and Kinross Area- wide territorial greenhouse gas emissions (kt CO2e - Net) 75% reduction on 1990 levels by 2030 and zero net emissions by 2045. 1180 (2023) -3% 2. Perth and Kinross Area- wide territorial greenhouse gas per Capita emissions - Net (t CO2e - Net) 75% reduction on 1990 levels by 2030 and zero net emissions by 2045. 7.7 (2023) -4% 3. Perth and Kinross Area- wide CO2 emissions (kt CO2e) 376kt CO2e by 2030 (75% reduction on 1990 levels) 634.9 (2023) -2% 4. Perth and Kinross Council Scope 1,2, and 3 emissions (t CO2e ) Net zero by 2045 23,457 (24/25) -16% 5. Carbon Disclosure Project (City Score) ‘A’ by 2024 A (2024) A 6. Percentage of Climate Change Indicators showing positive change 100% 75% (24/25) 5.6 percentage points 7. Climate Change Grant Funding secured (£k) No target set £2,234.53 (24/25) -35% 4.6 For indicators No 1, 2, and 3, the most recent values are for 2023 (published July 2025) and showed a continued decrease in emissions. For these three indicators the Council has Influence rather than Control and wider socio- economic factors have had a significant influence. The new Scottish Government carbon budget envelope (Indicator 1) is set at an average 57% reduction on 1990 levels between 2026-2030. Based on 2023 data we have currently had a 47% reduction between 1990 and 2023. To reach comply with this budget, we will need to average 4% annual reductions - a slightly faster rate than we have been decarbonising over the last three years. 4.7 In the CCSAP, PKC set a more ambitious target of 75% reduction in emissions by 2030. We are currently 39% higher than the estimated trajectory needed to reach Perth and Kinross Council by 2030 and will need to average 7% annual reductions to get back on track with our own target. 4.8 Of our three main emissions categories: Transport sector emissions decreased by 1.3%, reflecting a hopeful end to the post-Covid-19 travel emissions rise. Land use emissions increased by 2%, while similarly land use sequestrations (reductions) also increased by 2%.
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The increase in sequestration potential was a positive change as it reversed a three-year decrease. Agriculture emissions had been following a decreasing trend, but a slight increase (0.7%) was recorded for 2023. This is linked to increased soil emissions. 4.9 There were bigger changes in our small emissions categories with Commercial emissions decreasing by 12%, Waste emissions by 10%, Domestic emissions by 3% and wider-public sector emissions also by 3%. 4.10 A detailed report on Perth and Kinross Council emissions was presented to the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee as part of our annual Public Bodies Climate Change Duty reporting (report 25/298 refers). In 2024/25 a carbon footprint of 23,457 tCO2e was calculated from the Council operations. This shows a significant 16% year-on-year decrease. Progress has been made in all areas (Transport, Energy use and Waste) reported. The largest emissions reduction can be attributed to the new residual waste contract that replaced landfill with Energy from Waste. There has also been a 2% reduction in electricity consumption, despite the Council’s increased Internal Floor Area. Lastly, emissions arising from the Council’s own fleet have also decreased, partly due to switching from highly polluting large cars to smaller and greener options and using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil as a fuel alternative for Heavy Good Vehicles. 4.11 PKC retained its top CDP ‘A’ ranking in 2024 after we first made the ‘A-cities List’ in 2023. The CDP City Score is an independently audited assessment of climate action progress to assist organisations in measuring and managing their risks and opportunities on climate change. Retaining an ‘A’ ranking is important in demonstrating area-wide climate action leadership, recognising the effort made by PKC to reach its climate objectives. 4.12 In 2024/25 the Council secured £ 2,234.53M of Climate Change related grant funding. This decreased by 35% compared to the amount received in 2023/24. The 2023/24 value was significantly higher than previous years due to the £2.36M award from the Recycling Improvement Fund which enabled our Twin-Stream recycling transformation. Additionally, the Nature Restoration Fund award for 2024/25 was deferred to 2025/26. Carbon literacy 4.13 As part of the annual review process in December 2024, members approved a target of 100% of elected members to have completed Carbon Literacy Training by September 30 2025 and 50% of the Council’s Senior Leadership Forum (SLF), with the remaining 50% by September 2026. As of 31 December 2025, the elected member training rate stands at 77.5% and the SLF rate has decreased from the reported 52% (September) to 45% due to staff changes and expanded SLF membership.
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Challenges and barriers 4.14 There are several challenges facing the delivery of the Council’s CCAP that are detailed below. 4.15 Shifting and uncertainty of government targets and regulatory requirements – Over 2024 and 2025 there was a shifting of targets by both the UK and Scottish Government level and delays to key pieces of legislation. The adoption of carbon budgets by the Scottish Governments, besides following percentage reductions of the budgets has not yet been translated down to sectors or public bodies to clarify the targets we need to reach to comply with our duties under the Climate Change Act. Additional key legislation has been delayed, including the Heat in Buildings Bill, the removal of the 20% mileage reduction target by 2030 target for transport and several key pieces of waste legislation are due in 2027. This impacts on the ability to align work and made it more challenging to convince others to act. This has led to uncertainty by residents, landlords, businesses over targets coming up and impacted on the willingness to take actions. 4.16 Resources and capacity – The Council has shown its commitment to climate change, by ensuring the Top Priority Actions had the necessary additional resources in the challenging budgetary environment over the past four years. This has helped ensure critical actions have been delivered. Looking at the scale of action that needs to take place over the next 6-10 years, to meet crucial targets there is a significant resources gap both financially and with officer skills and capacity. The Climate resource gap will, however, have significant implications for the use of the Council overall budgets, particularly key capital and revenue programmes around waste & recycling, transport, fleet, flood risk management, property and housing. 4.17 Governmental and other funding sources are being and will continue to be pursued to limit the impact of this gap on Council Budgets. To bid for this funding, the Council is often required to have developed projects to a ‘shovel ready’ stage prior to bidding and often there may be an on-going revenue gap on projects. 4.18 While the Scottish Government is putting in significant funding towards addressing climate action, there is lack of clarity around in-year and multi-year funding that is impacting on delivery. For example, there is uncertainty over which Flood Cycle two projects will receive funding three-years into cycle, delaying the delivery of the scheme. The annual, in-year nature of key schemes like HEEPS-ABS, Nature Restoration Fund and Transport Scotland awards provides delivery challenges within the consolidated timeframe and limits what can be achieved. 4.19 Influencing others to take action - While we have a responsibility for overall climate emissions reductions across Perth and Kinross, the Council is only directly responsible for 2% of area-wide emissions. We have means of having wider influence over around 70% of emissions, through policies, planning and infrastructure provision.
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In some areas, it will require us to work differently (e.g. focus on public behavioural change) or with different partners and trying to have a wider influence than we traditionally have – e.g. working with the agriculture and land use sectors. 4.20 Loss of public trust in specific measures – The public, including residents and businesses will all need to take action to meet our climate goals, but are losing trust in certain measures. Particularly in the domestic retrofit sector, recent reports of damage caused to homes from incorrect or inappropriate installation of external wall insulation, as well as wider stories of ‘cowboy contractors’ has led to a lack of willingness to go ahead with work that will have health and cost of living impacts, as well as environmental benefits. 4.21 Lack of coverage of public support – It would not be thought from the media coverage and select views expressed on social media, but climate change is still viewed as an important issue by the vast majority of people. Several surveys this year have shown this, with 83% of residents in Perth and Kinross surveyed as part of the Scottish Climate Survey (2024) expressing that ‘climate change is an immediate and urgent problem with an additional 10% recognising it as a problem for the future. 1 This is higher than, but generally aligned with, the UK national results with the British Talks Climate results (2025) which showed 74% of the overall population view climate change as important. The surveys further showed that while the majority of people are making environmental choices, many had the inaccurate perception that a much lower percentage was making the same choices. 4.22 While people think climate change is an important issue, the efficacy of individual or even Council-level actions can be harder for many people to appreciate when considering it as a global challenge. What has become more apparent this year through wider research and public feedback and conversations is the need to make it clearer for people how climate actions do not just reduce emissions, but can help people live life well locally. This is one of the reasons the Council’s Green Living Fund is so valuable, it helps people and communities to understand and act on the cost-of-living and climate crises jointly. 4.23 On-going impact of increased climate events - While positive action to mitigate climate action is taking place on the local, national and global scale there are climate change impacts already being directly experienced in Perth and Kinross and indirectly experienced through our national and international linkages and supply chains. With the level of emissions and global temperature rise already experienced, certain climatic impacts are already locked in regardless of the future decarbonisation pathway. 4.24 In 2025, in Perth and Kinross and across Scotland we saw droughts, wildfires, flooding, and extreme winds. While there were always extremes, this year the MET office published data that predicts the storms of 2023/24, which previously would be expected to occur 1 in 50 years would now be expected 1 Scottish Climate Survey - gov.scot
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to occur 1 in 5 years, with the warming leading to these storms being able to release up to 20% more precipitation. 4.25 This increase in frequency and severity is posing challenges for many of our frontline teams, with resources needing to be diverted away from prevention to response and recovery. 4.26 Data timeliness and availability - Several of the key datasets have one-to- three year data compilation windows. This is a challenge to reviewing the effectiveness of our actions and making appropriate and timely adjustments. Availability and suitability is also a challenge, with many relevant data sets (e.g. transport data) often either aggregated at a national level or has a very small Perth and Kinross sample size that makes it challenging to track progress. 5. Scrutiny of action plan and progress from SHIFT 5.1 The Perth and Kinross Climate Commission (SHIFT) provided a critical friend review of the update to the Council’s action plan, KPI framework and updated risk register. There were eight key messages from the feedback in addition to a useful critique of many individual actions. The summary of the key messages is listed in Table 2 below with a response from Council officers. 5.2 The Council appreciates the review and the scrutiny provided by SHIFT. There is an intention by both the Council and SHIFT to work more closely on thematic areas this year to build on SHIFTs expertise and ability to influence wider actors and to provide greater understanding as to the detailed Council approach and the drivers and constraints behind it.
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Table 2 Feedback from SHIFT and Council Response Key message Council Response 1. Strategy and prioritisation With the numerous actions, KPIs, and risk items, relative priorities were not immediately clear, and some priority actions have missing milestones. An ambitious revision of overarching climate strategy would help focus this. It is important that the public narrative could be improved. Strategic policies, investment decisions, and cross- functional implementation appear to be disconnected, reducing effectiveness of climate actions We agree that a refreshed Climate Change Strategy would be beneficial as when the initial CCSAP was developed we did not yet have the detailed thematic information need to develop accurate pathways. This been developed over the last four years in part by developing the Local Heat and Energy Strategy, estate decarbonisation plans, the Mobility Strategy and the Circular Economy Strategy. In the balance between spending limited resources strategising versus delivery, we are currently planning to start this refresh towards the end of Year 5, following the publication of new Scottish Government statutory guidance on local authority Climate Change and Sustainability Plans. We have discussed with the Chair of SHIFT about getting their early involvement. When developing the initial CCSAP in 2021, a decision was made to put a comprehensive list of actions in place to reflect the wide scope of Council control and influence across the eight themes covering area-wide emissions, Council emissions and resilience. These all receive an annual priority for the upcoming year. In October 2022 to focus the Strategy delivery, members selected their Top 25 priority actions. This top 25 list was refreshed by members in October 2024, with the help of the previous commissioners of SHIFT.
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Due to timing in the annual reporting process, SHIFT only received Appendices B, C and D. Appendix A provides this overview and narrative and will also be sent to SHIFT for review in coming years. 2. Accountability, Governance Monitoring There is consistent concern amongst commissioners about the degree of Council ownership and progress of area- wide 2030/2045 targets based on current trajectories. KPIs are numerous but unfocused, and risk escalation and monitoring appear to be inconsistent. As acknowledged in Section 5.7 and Appendix A, our area-wide emissions are off-track to reach the Council’s current 2030 target. Of the three major emissions categories, all of which have had limited emissions reduction, we have the greatest potential to influence transport and land use emissions, and limited scope to influence area-wide emissions (These are discussed more in points 7 and 8 below) The 63 KPIs, while numerous, have been identified to capture both what the Council has direct control over and the larger area- wide trends that Council only influences. There are seven high-level KPIs discussed in Section 7 of this report that reflect overall progress. As part of the CCAP refresh planned to start in 2026 for 2027, a consolidation of key indicators should be considered. 3. Implementation and coordination Some areas of strategy, policy, investment, and delivery appear to be disconnected across the Council. Examples include the Bertha Park park- and-ride cut. Climate impact needs to be a key factor in all Council decisions and The eight thematic working groups have made significant progress in breaking down siloed working within teams in the Council and IVA requirement was designed to help ensure climate change is considered in all Council decisions. There is still further progress that can be made in improving joined-up thinking.
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cross-departmental coordination could be improved. Resourcing is insufficient for achieving meaningful outcomes at the pace and scale required. It is agreed resourcing is a major challenge. It is highlighted in this report and also in Appendix A. Specifically related to Bertha Park land has been safeguarded in development for Park & Ride and plans to be developed by PKC, not been cancelled entirely. However there are limited emissions reduction potential from edge of Perth Park & Rides serving city centre, due to short journeys involved. More useful for reducing city centre traffic, congestion and air pollution. A review of Park & Ride current and future provision is underway. This highlights role of Broxden & Kinross at enabling longer distance journeys by bus/coach which likely have larger impact on emissions reduction than edge of Perth P&R. 4. Simplification, prioritisation and flagship projects: The documents require streamlining into a short climate strategy supported by concise KPIs, a clear adaptation plan, and a small set of flagship programmes (e.g., clean air zone, home retrofit programme, peatland/woodland restoration, resilient schools). This would shift PKC from “busy but cautious” to truly strategic and transformative The Council has its Climate Change Strategy that was approved in December 2021. As noted for item 1, the Council will ensure that this is sent to SHIFT ahead of the annual review for Year 5. While the Council has 25 top priority actions, as part of the action plan refresh it will be useful to agree the key transitions we need to see and consider redesigning the priority actions to ensure they will achieve the pace of change required.
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5. Risk Assessment and Evidence Gaps Risk scoring could be more consistent and more granular (for example using a 5x5 or 7x7 matrix rather than the current 3x3 approach). Evidence-based modelling, vulnerability mapping, quantitative analysis, and child/education-focused risks should be reviewed. Some risks are underplayed (heat, air quality, water scarcity). Detailed risk scoring was undertaken by consultants to PKC over 2022/23 based on the latest current climate projections (UKCP18), with modelling and vulnerability assessed. Not all commissioners were aware of this work during the review and this has subsequently been shared with them. We agree that more granular risk scoring would improve the distinction in magnitude between risks. However, we do not think that this improved granularity will significantly alter which risks are prioritised for action. As such, currently we are not proposing to engage consultants to update our risk register until at least the next update of the wider Scotland Climate Change Risk Register or the next set of UK climate projections are developed. In the meantime, we would welcome from SHIFT or others, relevant evidence that would allow us to change the assessment of individual actions. With the current local climate projections from UKCP18, the risks and associated impacts of increased heat and water scarcity are currently not projected to reach significant thresholds in Perth and Kinross for another 15-25 years, so have been given lower likelihood scores. As an action this year, the Resilience Working Group will look to do a deeper dive into child/education and health risks. 6. Health and Equity The Commission believes there is insufficient focus on climate impacts on vulnerable populations, including heat, air pollution, indoor Our internal Climate Change Governance working group has similarly identified the need to work more closely with the Council’s HSCP and the NHS and we will look to improve that this year.
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environment, mental health, food security and health system resilience. Actions to remedy this should include health related KPIs and evidence of integrated planning with NHS/social care. This issue is also one of the three priorities for our regional adaption partnership, Climate Ready Tayside. As mentioned above, in the Climate Risk and Opportunity Assessment that SHIFT have subsequently been pointed to, Chapter 4 is dedicated to health and vulnerable populations. 7. Transport Transport, the largest emissions source, lacks targets, traffic reduction plans, LEZs, and protected active travel infrastructure. Agree that Transport is a key area of emissions reductions that is not making progress as quickly as required. One of the actions in the CCAP is the development and deliver of the PKC Mobility Strategy. As the Mobility Strategy continues to moved into implementation, transport actions should be assessed for impact (emissions reduction potential) and speed /ease of delivery. Transport KPIs will be reviewed and amended in next 6 months as part of developing a monitoring framework for the mobility strategy No clear plan for car km reduction - fundamental point and agree it is not in place and is urgently needed. Revised vehicle km reductions at a national level have been put into the draft Scottish Climate Change Plan that is out for consultation until the end of January 2026. Tactran regional vehicle km modelling will be used to shape interventions. Transport measures do not take account of known health impacts / harms e.g. air pollution, therefore need for an LEZ and also 20 mph. Agree strong evidence of health harms from air pollution, however LEZ is primarily a health- intervention with low impact likely on climate emissions, because LEZs introduced in Scotland do not
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prevent fossil fuelled cars and buses entering the zone. Measures for protected active travel infrastructure are planned by the Council, but possibly are not apparent from the high level actions in the action plan o Protected Cycle Network - Active Travel Strategy to be developed in 2026, which will contain Protected Cycle Network Plan. Also Perth Circulation Plan will enable city centre protected cycle network. o Bus priority - Plans to introduce bus priority on Dunkeld Rd in design with other main roads in Perth under consideration. However significant Transport Scotland bus priority funding was cancelled and a smaller fund replaced it that has delayed development and delivery. o Low traffic neighbourhoods - No actions around LTNs and will look to include in Active Travel Strategy to support active travel uptake and safer travel to school
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8. Nature, Biodiversity & Land Use Existing efforts on nature networks, peatland restoration, woodlands, biodiversity, and green infrastructure are strong but need urgent scaling. It appears to be under-resourced and requires improved cross-department coordination We agree that efforts need scaling given the importance of land use for emissions reduction, resilience and biodiversity. While we have limited direct control, with the current resources we have tried to support others taking action including the Leven LENS to leverage in private sector investment, supporting through funding and staff time projects initiatives like Bioregioning Tayside and the Perthshire Nature Connections Partnership. Nature Based solutions are one of three priorities for Climate Ready Tayside. Council teams would like to work more closely with SHIFT on ideas for how we could effectively scale this up and influence landowners to take action.
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6. Proposals 6.1 While an overarching refresh of Climate Change Action Plan is not due until 2027, the plan was intended to be dynamic and five important new actions are proposed to be included in the Year 5 Climate Change Action Plan. These are shown in Table 3 below. Table 3 Proposed additions to the Year 5 CCAP Delivery Theme Action No Sub-Goal Strategic Action Buildings and Energy B25 Non-domestic - PKC Develop rural heat networks at sites beneficial to our domestic and non- domestic estates Buildings and Energy B26 Non-domestic - PKC Develop a programme of sites under PKC ownership for renewable energy generation Business and Industry B&I 17 Strategic Actions Ensure that Perth & Kinross benefits from gigabit capable broadband across its entire area to improve business competitiveness and as a method of reducing the need to travel Climate Resilience R36 Resilient and empowered communities Development of a property flood resilience scheme to assist residents and businesses Transport T41 Increase active transport across Perth and Kinross Use LDP3 to plan developments where all essentials (shops, schools, parks) are close by or easily accessible by sustainable modes of transport to reduce the need to travel and minimise the use of unsustainable modes 6.2 No new KPIs are proposed for this year. Due to ongoing data availability, relevance and ability to influence there are six KPIs proposed for removal as listed in Appendix C. 6.1 In 2023 the Council published its climate change risk register, which assessed the risks posed to both Perth and Kinross as a whole, as well as Council operations. The Council’s Climate Resilience working group reviewed and updated the climate change risk register this year.
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Due to the increased analysis by the Council’s Structure’s team the risk of scour and erosion of bridges and pipelines has become a top priority risk. Two new risks were included in the risk register: The risk of wildfires and the associated damage to homes, nature, air quality, health and infrastructure; The risk of climate induced food inflation and the associated health and economic impact on residents, businesses and Council operations. 6.3 The updated climate risk register is presented in Appendix D for approval. There are now five groups risks that score maximum in terms of severity and likelihood: Flooding of homes, infrastructure and businesses and the associated impacts; Loss and damage to nature including flora, fauna, ecosystems and soils; Scour and erosion of bridges and pipelines; Wildfires Climate related food inflation. 6.4 Funding – Four potential resource pressures have been identified for the upcoming 2026/27 budget process: Personal Flood Protection Schemes Additional capacity support for the Procurement team Park & Choose feasibility funding Continuation of the Green Living Fund. 7. Conclusion 7.1 This report has highlighted some of the impactful work produced by the 30+ teams across the Council that have been delivering on climate action over the past year. Continued improvement is being demonstrated by many of our key indicators. In order to meet our decarbonisation targets, the pace of change needs to accelerate. This will require a consistent policy framework, long- term resources to be secured, the creation of the right enabling environment for others to take action and bringing our residents and businesses along with us. 7.2 While it is important that Perth and Kinross plays its part its reducing emissions, there is a certain amount of change already locked into the system. These changing climate patterns and the resultant water shortages, wildfires, flash flooding and more prevalent storm events are already impacting on Perth and Kinross. The climate risk register identified many of the key risks the Council needs to continue to work hard to minimise. 7.3 As have been seen by events over the last few years, climate change can no longer be thought of as a future risk but is a real and pressing emergency.
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While the Council is balancing many priorities, the wider impact of many of the actions in the plan demonstrates the positive contribution that climate related action can make to delivering wider benefit and addressing multiple Council priorities. 7.3 For example, improving energy efficiency is helping to make healthier homes that are more affordable to heat; encouraging and enabling active travel to school helps reduce congestion and improve student learning and health; working with and supporting community groups to take action helps build up social networks and reduce isolation; and supporting our businesses to prepare for and grow in green skills can help bring growth and attractive jobs into our communities. 7.4 The actions planned for Year 5 should continue this meaningful change and help residents of Perth and Kinross live life well. 8. Impact and Value Assessment 8.1 https://www.pkc.gov.uk/media/54772/Climate-Change-Annual- Report/pdf/Climate_Change_Annual_Report_- IVA_Summary_Report_pdf.pdf?m=1768308241597 9. Appendices 9.1 Appendix A - PKC CCAP Year 4 Annual report 9.2 Appendix B: Master Action Plan Year 4 9.3 Appendix C: All KPI data 9.4 Appendix D: Climate Risk Register - Autumn 2025 Update