15. DirApp - Climate Change Plan - FINAL - post ELT - 15-01-26
North Ayrshire Council · 27 January 2026
Back to Cabinet — 27 January 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 27 January 2026 Cabinet Title: Response to the Scottish Government consultation on the Draft Climate Change Plan Purpose: To seek Cabinet approval of the proposed response to the Scottish Government on the Draft Climate Change Plan. Recommendation: It is proposed that Cabinet notes the draft response and approves submission to the Scottish Government. 1. Executive Summary 1.1 The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 requires Scottish Government to produce a Climate Change Plan every five years, outlining the policies and proposals for achieving emissions reduction targets. The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2024 removed the 2030 and 2040 interim targets from the original 2009 Act, replacing targets with the requirement for five-yearly carbon budgets. 1.2 The draft Climate Change Plan (CCP) 2026-2040 sets out the policies and proposals the Scottish Government aim to take forward to enable carbon budgets to be met between 2026-2040. A consultation process is underway to review the draft CCP, with responses to consultation questions required by 29th January 2026. The response will therefore be submitted in draft, subject to confirmation of Cabinet approval following the expiry of the call-in period. 1.3 A draft response to these questions can be found at Appendix 1 of this report. Our approach is largely supportive, with specific commentary provided where greater support, including financial support, would be required. Successful delivery of the Climate Change Plan will require appropriate funding to be provided. 2. Background 2.1 Scotland is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change such as flooding, coastal erosion, and biodiversity loss. The Scottish Government have stated they are taking action to tackle climate change, recognising the environmental, economic and social opportunities, and alignment with complementary policies. There are also legal obligations to achieve net zero emissions by 2045, set carbon budgets and publish annual progress reports.
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2.2 The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 requires Scottish Government to produce a Climate Change Plan every five years, outlining the policies and proposals for achieving emissions reduction targets. The Scottish Government aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2045, however following advice from the Committee on Climate Change, interim targets have been abolished. The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2024 formally removed the 2030 and 2040 interim targets from the original 2009 Act and brought in the requirement for five-yearly carbon budgets. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (Scottish Carbon Budgets) Amendment Regulations 2025 saw the introduction of these carbon budgets, which are detailed in Table 1 below. Scotland’s carbon budgets have been set in line with the levels proposed by the CCC. They provide a pathway towards achieving net zero by 2045 by setting limits on the amount of greenhouse gas emitted over each period, relevant to a 1990 baseline of emissions. Table 1 – Scotland’s five-yearly carbon budgets Carbon budget period Average level of emissions for Scotland Carbon budget MtCO2e 2026 to 2030 57% lower than 1990 175 2031 to 2035 69% lower than 1990 126 2036 to 2040 80% lower than 1990 81 2041 to 2045 94% lower than 1990 24 2.3 The draft Climate Change Plan (CCP) 2026-2040 sets out the policies and proposals the Scottish Government aim to take forward to enable the carbon budgets to be met between 2026-2040. A consultation period has been launched to review the draft CCP, with responses due for submission by 29th January 2026. 2.4 The draft CCP focuses on a just transition to net zero, one which takes advantage of the opportunities of the transition, whilst reducing negative impacts to a minimum, wherever possible. There is also a desire to improve resilience to the impacts of climate change through adaptation, and to protect and enhance our biodiversity. 2.5 There are some key ambitions and milestones highlighted in the supplementary sectoral annexes, which may have an impact on the Council. Some of these include: • Decarbonising heating systems in buildings by 2045 – a Heat in Buildings Strategy and Delivery Plan will be published by the end of 2026 by Scottish Government to detail how this will be achieved. • Establishing minimum energy efficiency standards for owner occupiers, private rented sector and non-domestic buildings. • Phasing out new petrol/diesel cars by 2030 • Developing place-based plans to reduce car use by 2027 • Doubling renewable electricity capacity to 34–39 GW by 2030 • Planting 18,000 hectares of trees annually by 2029/30, reaching 21% woodland cover by 2032 • Continuing reductions in industrial and waste emissions through circular economy measures.
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2.6 Consideration within the draft CCP is given to nine sectors and the impacts the draft CCP will have on each. The nine sectors considered are: 2.7 With Climate Change being one of the Council’s key strategic priorities, the Council is well placed to respond to this consultation. The proposed response is included as Appendix 1 to this report. 2.8 In summary, the Council welcomes the draft CPP, and the call to progress with decarbonisation of buildings. 2.9 Whist supportive of the plan, the proposed response does highlight where greater support, including financial support, would be required. Successful delivery of the Climate Change Plan will require appropriate funding to be provided. 2.10 There is a request to continue the financial support provided by Scottish Government for LHEES in order to support action in the next iteration of the scheme, due to be published in 2028. Evidenced within the draft response is also the Council’s early participation in these requests for future action across the appropriate sectors. 3. Proposals 3.1 It is proposed that Cabinet notes the prepared response and approves submission to the Scottish Government prior to their 29th January 2026 deadline. The response will be submitted in draft, subject to confirmation of Cabinet approval following the expiry of the call-in period. 4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty Financial 4.1 The Council is investing significantly in the journey to net zero, taking action on climate change and addressing the Climate Emergency. As we progress through 2025/26, the Capital Programme and allocated funds support a variety of decarbonisation projects and external funding is sought to enhance and complement existing finance, for both the non-domestic and domestic sectors. Successful delivery of the Climate Change Plan will depend on appropriate funding being provided by Scottish Government. Human Resources 4.2 Action on climate change is undertaken using existing resource. Legal 4.3 The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 requires Scottish Government to produce a Climate Change Plan every five years, outlining the policies and proposals for achieving emissions reduction targets. Our response supports the most recent draft plan. • Buildings • Transport • Waste • Energy supply • Agriculture • Business & industrial process • Nature & biodiversity • Marine • Land use, land use change & forestry
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Equality/Socio-economic 4.4 The ambition to decarbonise heating systems and improve energy efficiency in all buildings contributes to our socio-economic duty by ensuring our homes and buildings are well insulated and energy efficient, making them more affordable to heat and reducing their emissions. Climate Change and Carbon 4.5 The draft response provides evidence of the Council’s net zero ambition and aspiration to tackle the issue of decarbonisation in domestic and non-domestic buildings. Key Priorities 4.6 The works undertaken are in keeping with the aim ‘To achieve net-zero by 2030’ within the Council Plan 2023-28. Community Wealth Building 4.7 The draft Climate Change Plan highlights Community Wealth Building as an interconnected policy approach linked to climate action and a just transition to net zero. Islands Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) 4.8 The response considers climate action for the Isle of Arran and Great Cumbrae. United Nations Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 4.9 None Consumer Duty 4.10 None 5. Consultation 5.1 Input has been provided from Waste Services and Property Management and Investment for this report. RUSSELL McCUTCHEON Executive Director (Place) For further information please contact Laurence Cree, Head of Sustainability, Transport and Corporate Property, on (01294) 324514. Background Papers 0
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Climate Change Plan - Response Question 1: What are your views on our approach to delivering a just transition for people and communities? North Ayrshire Council support the Climate Change Plan’s commitment to a just transition and its inclusion of statutory just transition principles. These are required by the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. The focus on fairness and “no one left behind” is essential. However, to strengthen this approach, we seek further clarity on aligning funding streams with just transition goals. Currently, many climate action funds are grouped by theme (energy, transport, etc), which can hinder holistic projects. Multi-year, place-based funding models, enabling local authorities to integrate transport, adaptation, and regeneration projects, would allow communities to see multiple co-benefits and successful delivery of outcomes. A just transition means our communities could gain new skills for green jobs. The draft CCP could highlight the importance of investing in colleges and skills programmes to build capacity and benefit from new job opportunities. Overall, the approach seems reasonable, with clear ambition to be fair and inclusive. By improving funding mechanisms and linking policies to community wealth building and wellbeing, the CCP can better guarantee that the transition to net zero is genuinely just for all. Question 2: We recognise that workers face particular impacts from the Plan and we have outlined our approach to supporting the transition of the workforce, including skills for jobs. What skills, training and qualification provisions will be most important in a net zero future, and what more could be done to support them? Key skill areas include green construction and retrofit, clean energy engineering, grid and battery technology, nature-based solutions, and data collection and monitoring expertise. An expansion in qualified tradespeople is required to retrofit homes and install low- carbon heating (heat pumps, heat network systems). This includes plumbers, electricians and HVAC engineers trained in heat pump installation, insulation and energy efficiency upgrades. We also need to expand courses and apprenticeships for traditional gas and heating engineers to requalify in heat pump and heat network technologies. As more renewable energy is generated, skills in wind and solar farm development, grid management and energy storage is needed. In addition, electric vehicle maintenance training will be necessary to support the decarbonisation of the Council’s fleet. To deliver nature-based solutions, we will require more ecologists, ecological planners, land managers and forestry workers with up-to-date skills. Many of these
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jobs will be in rural areas, so ensuring training provision is accessible across the country is important. Increased skills in carbon accounting and data analysis will be required as the draft CCP includes new indicators and datasets for emissions and climate risks. Consideration given to supporting local net zero skills hubs would be welcomed. The Council has developed two solar PV farms on former landfill sites which could be used as case studies for further education, and the partnerships with local industry would see North Ayrshire as being well placed to host a training centre. Scottish Government support towards apprenticeships and professional qualifications in green skills would be most welcome. Similarly, local authorities need to train staff in procurement for low-carbon projects, climate adaptation planning, and community engagement on climate issues. National support to develop training modules for public sector employees would help all public bodies lead by example. Question 3: The Plan will bring opportunities and challenges for businesses and employers. How can we best support employers across the private, public and third sectors to make the changes needed and seize the benefits of net zero? The draft CCP could include long-term clarity on regulations and targets so that businesses can plan investments confidently. Expanding and simplifying grant and loan programmes is essential to support ease of access to funding for SME’s. In order to help local businesses and third-sector, the CCP could support collaboration and knowledge sharing. North Ayrshire Council’s Net Zero Accelerator programme is a good example of how local authorities can support local businesses on their journey towards net zero. In summary, supporting employers requires strong signals and mandatory standards to drive action, combined with financial and practical help to make action feasible. Successful delivery of the Climate Change Plan will require appropriate funding to be provided. By creating a stable policy landscape, easing the cost burden, and fostering collaboration, we will enable businesses, public bodies, and third sector organisations to comply with net zero requirements and realise new opportunities. Question 4: Our approach recognises that some of the Plan’s impacts will have greater implications for particular regions of Scotland. What are your views on our approach to supporting places where the transition presents particular regional impacts? The Council agrees that a place-based approach is vital, since the net zero transition will not affect all regions equally. The CCP acknowledges rural and island communities face distinct challenges. We support the suggestion of developing regional just transition action plans (perhaps building on mechanisms like Regional
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Economic Partnerships). Local authorities and regional agencies should be supported by the Scottish Government to co-create plans that identify what infrastructure is needed, and which communities are most vulnerable. The Council welcomes how some of the CCP’s sectoral annexes take into consideration rural and island circumstances. To deliver fairness, policies must account for issues such as limited public transport, higher fuel costs, and fewer local installers or suppliers in rural or island areas. The approach of tailoring some funds is good. We would like to see commitment to continuing programmes such as the Islands Centre for Net Zero and specific island-proofing of policies. Successful delivery of this element of the Plan will require funding that aligns with the regional requirements. Overall, the Plan’s differentiated regional approach is a positive step. Our view is that it should be as inclusive as possible, addressing not only headline regions like the Northeast, but also ensuring that low-income communities, rural and island areas all receive adequate support. Question 5: How can we decarbonise homes and buildings in a way that is fair and leaves no one behind? A fair buildings transition means reducing emissions from homes and workplaces without exacerbating fuel poverty or placing undue burdens on those least able to pay. The draft CCP notes the imbalance in energy pricing – electricity used for heat pumps is much more expensive per unit than gas, largely due to how network charges and levies are applied. Working with the UK Government to rebalance electricity and gas pricing is critical. We would welcome further action and communication to progress this area with UK Government. Decarbonising homes, whilst heavily reliant on funding being made available is also reliant on consistent information and trust. None the less, targeted funding will be required to enable the decarbonisation of our homes and buildings. Many households, including vulnerable ones, find the process of making home improvements complex and daunting. We therefore support the expansion of ‘one- stop-shop’ models for retrofit advice. Every household should have access to clear, tailored advice on what improvements their home needs, what it will cost, and what help is available. This needs to be offered through accessible channels, local workshops, home visits for those who need them, and use multilingual materials so that everyone can participate. The introduction of new building standards, such as requiring zero-emission heating by 2045, should be done with fairness in mind. That means setting out clear long- term deadlines but also providing flexibility or exemptions where necessary. If a
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household is required to replace a fossil fuel boiler by 2030, they should know now what their options are and what support they’ll receive to manage it. Question 6: How can clean heating systems (such as heat pumps) be made more affordable for everyone? If electricity becomes noticeably cheaper through regulatory change, the lifetime cost of owning a heat pump will improve dramatically for consumers. Lower running costs increase affordability for everyone, especially those on lower incomes. We urge prioritising discussions with the UK Government and Ofgem on this rebalancing, aiming for a scenario where running a heat pump is actually the cost- saving option. Cost is a major barrier and therefore direct funding would be welcomed to allow schemes to progress. The Council would recommend the continuation and expansion of grant programmes that offset the high upfront cost of heat pumps and other clean heating installations. The current Home Energy Scotland grants are a good start but need to be scaled up in value or reach for lower and middle-income households. Coupling grants with 0% or low-interest loans for remaining costs can help those who can repay over time, but the threshold for ‘able to pay’ should be considered cautiously. Whilst heat pumps are the main clean heat solution, continuing to innovate will increase affordable options. For some homes, other technologies such as modern biomass, solar thermal, or zero-emission boilers could be more cost effective. Supporting innovation and demonstration in these areas will ensure that consumers have a range of affordable clean heating choices depending on their home type. Question 7: Which of the following would be most effective in enabling you to transition your vehicle(s) to zero emissions alternatives? (Options include: reducing cost of new or used EVs, reliable charging infrastructure, cheaper running costs, convenient charging access, funding support/finance, more trained mechanics, “all of the above”, or other.) Please rank your choices from highest to lowest priority. All of the factors listed are important, and a successful transition will likely require progress on each. The successful decarbonisation of the public fleet is likely to depend on either funding or significant cost reductions in EV vehicles. While the capital cost of EVs remains higher than ICE vehicles, funding for decarbonised replacements would be welcomed. Similarly, funding for EV infrastructure is also key. In terms of the operational management of our fleet, and considering the wider public, we would prioritise having a robust EV charging network (to reduce down time of service vehicles). The EVIF project in partnership with East and South Ayrshire Council is a good example of leveraging in private sector finance, with the support of Transport Scotland funding and SFT expertise.
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This aims to see the installation of an additional 307 EV charge points across Ayrshire and will also support installation of new workplace charge points. The availability and additional cost of suitable EV alternatives is currently a significant barrier to fleet decarbonisation, however as we electrify our fleet having enough skilled mechanics to service and repair them is essential for affordability and convenience. If maintenance is a bottleneck, or if specialised EV servicing is too expensive, that becomes a disincentive to ownership. Question 8: How can the Scottish Government support communities to participate in planning of local sustainable infrastructure (such as walking, wheeling and cycling routes)? To enable meaningful community participation in planning local active travel and sustainable transport infrastructure, the Scottish Government could focus on resourcing engagement, building local capacity, and making consultation processes more accessible. Local authorities are often responsible for engaging communities in infrastructure planning, but dedicated funding for robust engagement is limited. The Scottish Government could establish a ring-fenced fund to support community engagement activities around sustainable infrastructure projects. By ensuring multi-year commitments to active travel budgets (as the CCP suggests for transport capital funding), Scottish Government could create a stable pipeline of projects. This way, when a community is involved in planning a route, they know it is likely to be delivered, strengthening their incentive to contribute. One often-heard frustration is “consultation fatigue,” where communities give input but aren’t sure how it’s used. North Ayrshire Council encourages the practice of “You Said, We Did” reporting after consultations, which the CCP could use or encourage for funded projects. If people see clearly which suggestions were adopted (or if not, why not), they’ll be more likely to engage next time. The CCP could mention expectations for consultation feedback and accountability, ensuring communities feel their participation has impact. Question 9: What action by the Scottish Government would be most helpful in supporting you to live a more climate-friendly lifestyle? Cost barriers can be a challenge to the adoption of more climate-friendly lifestyles. From a local authority viewpoint, the most helpful actions the Scottish Government can take to enable climate-friendly lifestyles are simplifying access to home energy improvements, improving affordable sustainable travel options, and mounting an engaging public information campaign. The Scottish Government can best help individuals live climate-friendly lives by removing barriers and adding positives. We need to remove the hassle, confusion, and extra cost associated with greener choices, and add convenience, incentives,
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and inspiration. This twin approach of making sustainable options convenient and affordable, and encouraging a cultural shift through education and community empowerment, may support people across Scotland to change habits and routines in line with climate goals. Question 10: Are there any additional proposals to support waste sector emission reduction that should be considered across the following five areas: (a) Strengthen the circular economy, (b) Reduce and reuse, (c) Modernise recycling, (d) Decarbonise disposal, (e) Other emission sources (including waste water and anaerobic digestion)? The Council broadly supports the proposals in the waste section of the CCP. By addressing product design, consumer behaviour, and disposal technology together, we could reduce waste sector emissions while also creating economic opportunities in the circular economy. A major cultural and economic shift is needed to move from a throwaway society to a reuse mindset. Scottish Government could launch a high-profile “Reduce and Reuse” public campaign to raise awareness of issues like fast fashion, single-use items, and food waste. Incentives could be considered for businesses or community centres that offer reuse systems. We would welcome the implementation of new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes which help make producers financially and physically responsible for the end-of-life recycling and disposal of their products, such as mattresses and textiles. This will also incentivise product design to support durability, reuse, and recycling of the products producers place on the marketplace. In addition, the Council welcomes the ability for Scottish Government to explore and research other less carbon intensive and innovative waste treatment technologies, including facilitating carbon capture technology within existing waste treatment facilities. Scottish Government could support the establishment of plastic film and flexible packaging recycling facilities in Scotland. These materials are to be collected for recycling from both households and businesses across the UK by 31 March 2027, however there is insufficient provision of facilities to support the closed-loop recycling of these materials in Scotland. As with all current and new demands on local authority waste services, appropriate levels of funding (capital and revenue) will be required to support the successful implementation and ongoing delivery of these services across Scotland. Question 11: What are your views on Scotland generating more electricity from renewable sources? Increasing renewable electricity generation is a cornerstone of the CCP that we wholly endorse. It aligns with our own local ambitions. With the right investments in grid infrastructure and a focus on community inclusion, Scotland’s renewable
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expansion can deliver a triple win: decarbonising our power supply, generating economic development, and providing affordable, secure energy for the future. Reaching net zero by 2045 will require virtually all of our electricity to come from zero-carbon sources well before then. As we electrify cars and heating, demand for electricity will rise, so increasing domestic renewable generation is crucial for energy security and to avoid importing power. North Ayrshire Council are the first local authority in Scotland to develop two Solar PV Farms on former landfill sites. Undertaking this process have given us insight to the issues with capacity on the electricity grid. More renewable generation must be paired with improvements in the electricity grid and energy storage. Wind and solar are variable; to use them effectively we need grid enhancements, such as new transmission lines and smart grid technology. The Scottish Government needs to work closely with Distribution Network Operators, National Grid and Ofgem to ensure grid investments are made on time, and not only in cities. We have encountered challenges in relation to grid infrastructure and we are aware of community groups facing similar barriers. Investment in the infrastructure to enable the generation of renewable energy should be a priority. It is also important that communities see benefits from nearby renewable developments and have opportunities to own their own systems. We support more electricity from renewables not just at the large utility-scale, but also at community and local scale. The Council is successfully supporting a range of grass roots community groups to undertake renewable energy projects, where the CARES scheme seems too complex to approach. Question 12: What support do industries need to reduce their carbon emissions while remaining competitive? Industry requires financial assistance for low-carbon upgrades, skills and innovation support, and clear policy guidance. Many industrial decarbonisation measures require large capital expenditure. Government support is essential to de-risk these investments. Industry needs certainty about the direction of travel. Clear long-term policies allow companies to plan and justify investments to their boards. In addition, decarbonising industry often means new equipment and processes, which current staff must be trained to use and maintain. Providing support for workforce retraining ensures that these changes don’t reduce productivity. Moreover, developing local supply chains for new low-carbon technologies can keep costs down and create economic opportunities. Question 13: How can the Scottish Government encourage sustainable land use that is also productive for local communities?
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Encouraging sustainable land use which balances environmental benefits with local community productivity will involve integrating agricultural policy, community empowerment, and economic incentives. Therefore, we support the establishment of Regional Land Use Partnerships (RLUPs) to facilitate holistic decisions about land. These partnerships, involving local authorities, landowners, communities, and other stakeholders, can identify where land can deliver multiple benefits and mediate between competing uses. By developing regional Land Use Frameworks that align with national climate and nature targets, RLUPs can highlight opportunities for community-benefiting projects – such as community forestry, peatland restoration that also offers tourism or education spin-offs, or renewable energy installations with local ownership. The Government should continue to fund and roll out RLUPs, ensuring they have real influence over how funding (like Nature Restoration Fund or Just Transition funding) is allocated in their area. Question 14: What do you think about our proposals for planting trees and restoring natural habitats like peatlands? The Council is very supportive of expanding tree planting and restoring peatlands as these are critical nature-based solutions for climate change and biodiversity. We support the CCP’s ambitious targets for woodland creation and peatland restoration. Increasing tree cover and fixing degraded peatlands will sequester carbon, help with flood management, and boost wildlife. However, clarity is needed on the type and quality of these habitats. Not all tree planting is equal in its benefits, and similarly peatland restoration can vary in effectiveness. The CCP should specify the desired balance between native woodlands versus commercial forestry plantations. In addition, tree planting at scale may increase the population of deer, and deer management plans would be required for each local authority. We would also note the value of tree planting in and around towns. The CCP’s tree proposals seem largely rural-focused, however urban tree planting provides multiple benefits such as shading and cooling in heatwaves, absorbing rainfall, improving air quality, and increasing wellbeing for residents. Question 15: How can the Scottish Government support farming to become more climate-friendly while continuing to support food production and improve biodiversity? The Scottish Government can support climate friendly farming by redirecting subsidies, fostering innovation and knowledge, and linking environmental performance to market benefits. By doing so farmers will be partners in climate action by reducing emissions, storing carbon in soils and trees, and creating space for nature, all while continuing their essential role of producing food for society. Question 16: Which groups or communities do you think will be most affected by the transition to net zero, and in what ways?
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There are several groups and communities which are likely to be significantly affected by the net zero transition, each in different ways. The transition to net zero, while beneficial in aggregate, will have unequal impacts. Low-income and vulnerable groups risk bearing disproportionate hardships and workers and communities tied to carbon-intensive sectors face uncertainty. A particular focus in North Ayrshire would be targeting areas of multiple deprivation, as identified though SIMD data zones. At present we currently prioritise projects (i.e. Area Based Schemes) using this information, addressing issues such as child poverty and fuel poverty. The success of the CCP hinges on whether it can support these groups, and bring them on the net zero journey, ensuring the transition is fair. Question 17: How do you think the Climate Change Plan aligns with existing local, regional, or national priorities that you are aware of or involved in? From a local authority perspective, the draft CCP aligns well with many of our own priorities, but there are areas where better coordination or clarity is needed: North Ayrshire Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and set a target to reach net zero by 2030, which is even earlier than Scotland’s national target. The themes in the CCP i.e., decarbonising buildings, promoting active travel, boosting renewables, etc, closely mirror the themes of our Sustainable North Ayrshire Strategy. For example, we have programmes for retrofitting council housing, decarbonising our fleet, developing large scale renewable energy projects, establishing a North Ayrshire Nature Network Strategy and implementing a Tree Planting Strategy for sequestration. The emphasis on a just transition also resonates with our local priority to ensure climate action creates green jobs and does not hurt the vulnerable. Overall, our sense is that the CCP is broadly aligned with the Council’s strategic objectives (as set in our Council Plan where Climate Change is identified as one of four strategic priorities). It provides a helpful national mandate that underscores what we’re trying to do locally. The key will be in execution, ensuring that national initiatives, regulations, and funding streams are coordinated with local authorities, community efforts, and other national strategies. Question 18: If you identified there could be negative impacts of the Climate Change Plan, are there any ways you think we could reduce that negative impact and if so, what would you recommend? Capacity and financial uncertainty are the main negative impacts of the CCP. Further guidance on how the suggestions in the CCP can be implemented (including phasing and engagement) would be welcomed, together with further clarity on funding opportunities, not only for local authorities, but for local businesses, households and communities.
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Question 19: Please share any other quantitative data, or sources of this, to assist in developing the impact assessments: Local Authority Data on Buildings and Transport: Councils hold data on housing stock conditions, energy efficiency (from EPCs), and social housing needs. Aggregating this can help refine estimates of cost and uptake for heat and insulation measures by area and tenure. If not already used, data from the Scottish House Condition Survey could be used to see who has loft insulation, who uses what mode of travel, etc. and thus identify sensitive groups. The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) could be used to overlay climate policy scenarios. North Ayrshire Council uses this data when considering Area Based Scheme and EV charge point programmes. Question 20: Are there any previous examples or case studies we should consider when assessing potential impacts? In North Ayrshire, we have initiated Community Climate Action Plans. In one of our localities, community members came together to create a plan addressing local transport, energy, and resilience. Early results show enthusiastic participation and also highlight certain concerns, such as fear of higher costs or changes to local character. Including such a grassroots case in impact considerations can ensure the CCP’s implementation is responsive to community level perspectives. It demonstrates the value of engagement, where people shape their own solutions, buy-in is higher and potential negative impacts are reduced. Question 21: Can you think of any further positive or negative impacts, not covered in the impact assessments, that may result from the Climate Change Plan? N/A Question 22: What are your views on the accuracy and scope of the environmental baseline set out in the environmental report? Are you aware of further information that could be used to inform the assessment findings? The environmental baseline in the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) report appears comprehensive at a high level, covering climate data, emissions sources, biodiversity status, air and water quality across Scotland. Question 23: What in your view are the most significant environmental effects which should be taken into account as the Draft Climate Change Plan is finalised? The primary intended effect is large reductions in emissions. The SEA should ensure that the scale of emissions cuts, especially carbon dioxide, methane (from agriculture and waste), and nitrous oxide (from agriculture), are realistically achievable and enough to meet carbon budgets.
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The CCP’s proposed actions on forestry, peatland and renewable energy will alter land use. The most significant effects on biodiversity could come from both positive actions, (such as habitat restoration, afforestation with native species) and any potential negative ones (such as land-use intensification in some areas, or poorly sited renewables). The SEA should particularly focus on ensuring that the positive environmental effects (emission cuts, cleaner air, restored ecosystems, better water quality) are maximized, and that any potential negative effects (on biodiversity from infrastructure, on landscapes, or shifting of impacts elsewhere) are minimized through careful policy design. Question 24: What are your views on the predicted environmental effects as set out in the environmental report (SEA)? Please share any other useful sources. The SEA’s predicted environmental effects of the CCP seem to be largely positive or neutral in most categories, which is expected given the nature of a climate action plan. The predicted effects on biodiversity are mixed in the SEA (some positive from new woodlands and peatlands, some potentially negative from e.g. infrastructure expansion). We agree with the SEA that overall, with proper safeguards, the CCP can deliver net gains for biodiversity through more native woodlands, healthier peat bogs etc. Question 25: What are your views on the proposals for mitigation, enhancement and monitoring of the environmental effects set out in the environmental report? The SEA report outlines measures to mitigate negative environmental effects, enhance positives, and monitor outcomes. The Council generally supports the proposed mitigation and enhancement measures and stress the importance of rigorous monitoring Question 26: What are your views on the proposed approach to reporting annual emissions output and how this could support public understanding of Scotland’s progress towards achieving our Carbon Budgets? The Council notes that the CCP proposes to continue the annual emissions reporting under the Climate Change Act, likely including an Annual Target report with official greenhouse gas inventory data, and possibly to enhance it with more user-friendly communication. One challenge noted is the time lag in emissions data, as inventory data comes roughly 2 years in arrears. The proposed approach acknowledges this by suggesting use of proxy indicators or preliminary data to give more up-to-date signals. We think
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this is wise because a 2+ year lag makes it hard to gauge if recent measures are working. In order to support public understanding, the reporting needs to be clear and accessible. We support proposals for an easy-to-read annual climate scoreboard or dashboard and recommend the integration with Sustainable Scotland Network to align with reporting duties. Question 27: How useful do you think reporting emissions statistics at a more detailed level (including at the sub-sectoral level) would be in helping people understand key sources of emissions, and our progress in reducing them? More detailed levels of reporting would be valuable for local authorities and useful to support programmes such as Scotland’s Climate Intelligence Service’s Climate View Platform. However, there is a capacity issue for the public sector and access to greater detail can be limited. In some cases, financial resource would be required to facilitate the collection of data, putting further financial burden on the local authority. In addition, too much detail can confuse or overwhelm a general audience. If presented without context, sub-sector data might not be meaningful or interpreted correctly. Question 28: How might the use of timely indicators, as proposed, help people to understand what needs to be delivered to achieve our Carbon Budgets, and to understand whether progress is on track? The CCP proposes supplementing emissions data with timely, trackable indicators (called leading indicators or output indicators). We welcome this proposal as it may help to break down the large task of achieving carbon budgets into trackable components, making it clear what must happen and whether it is happening. Question 29: Please detail any specific changes that would improve any of the 14 proposed indicators, including any data sources not currently included within this framework that could provide a useful indicator of progress towards a just transition in Scotland on an annual basis. We would suggest that each of the 14 indicators should have a clear definition and ideally a baseline and target or trajectory. Question 30: What are the most appropriate indicators for judging whether we are achieving meaningful public participation in decisions related to the climate? This includes both the quality of the participatory process itself, and the impact of that participation on the decision-making process. Meaningful public participation is qualitative, but we can still establish indicators. Appropriate indicators should cover breadth of engagement, depth and quality of engagement, and evidence of influence.
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An indicator could be the number of people engaged in climate related events per year or per project. In addition, participants could be surveyed on the quality of the process i.e., did they feel heard, was the process fair and accessible, what did they learn? However, gathering performance data can be costly and time consuming, it is therefore important that there are tangible outcomes arising from any indicators selected.