Download The Scottish Climate Change Declaration

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APPENDIX 1
The Scottish Climate Change Declaration
Declaring action on Climate Change
Tackling Climate Change is a huge challenge. Individually the challenge may appear immense.
Together Scotland can bring ingenuity and drive to meet this challenge.
The Scottish Local Authority Climate Change Programme Development Group (SLACCP
Development Group) has been formed to draft a Scottish Declaration on Climate Change and
support the Scottish Executive’s Climate Change Programme. The declaration is being led by
the Sustainable Scotland Network and the Scottish Local Energy Support Programme and will
raise the profile of work in Scotland to mitigate and adapt to climate change. In summary the
Declaration:

Acknowledges the challenge of Climate Change

Welcomes action to tackle Climate Change

Commits signatories to further action
Who can sign?
This is an opportunity for local government in particular, and other agencies, businesses,
voluntary bodies, community organisations and individuals to show leadership at a local level to
respond to climate change.
Some good reasons to sign
The Scottish Climate Change Declaration is a great opportunity for recognising those who are
leading the way on this major challenge. Clearly signing a Declaration is just a step in a longer
process. The Declaration is an opportunity for signatories to:

highlight action to date and demonstrate the work that is already being done

share successes with others to speed up this process

plan and declare future action

to build confidence across Scotland that steps are being taken
Plans for action
What to do after signing? You may already be preparing action plans and strategies on how
you will respond to Climate Change. Some organisations may wish to get together and agree
how to respond. A supporting Climate Change Toolkit is being developed for Scottish Local
Authorities to provide policy links and provide a focus for their work on this issue. The toolkit
will be similar to the one for the Nottingham Declaration for Local Authorities http://www.est.org.uk/housingbuildings/localauthorities/NottinghamDeclaration/ The aim is to provide a unique
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resource, designed to support local authorities throughout the stages from starting to address
the challenges of climate change through to reviewing implemented plans.
The Scottish Climate Change Declaration text
A draft copy of the Scottish Climate Change Declaration is attached and will be finalised by the
SLACCP Development Group. The Declaration should be finalised and receive initial
signatories by Autumn 2006.
For further information contact:
Alison Wisely
Local Energy Support Programme
SCARF
1 Cotton Street
Aberdeen
AB11 5EE
[email protected]
Tel 01224 213005
George Tarvit
Sustainable Scotland Network
Islay House
Livilands Lane
Stirling
FK8 2BG
01786 468 235
[email protected]
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The Scottish Climate Change Declaration (draft Aug 2006)
We acknowledge that

Evidence shows that climate change is occurring and that human activities are having a significant negative and
potentially dangerous influence.

Climate change will have far reaching effects on Scotland’s people and places, impacting on our economy,
society and environment.

There are significant social, economic and environmental benefits in taking action to combat and prepare for
climate change.

We all in Scotland have duties and responsibilities to take action to both mitigate and adapt to climate change,
to promote the sustainable development and well-being of our local communities.
We welcome the

The UK Government and Scottish Executive Climate Change Programmes and targets for the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions.

Opportunity for local government in particular, and other agencies, businesses, voluntary bodies, community
organisations and individuals to show leadership at a local level to respond to climate change.

Opportunity to address climate change by promoting the sustainable development of our local communities.
We commit _____________ from this date____________ to

Work with the UK Government and the Scottish Executive to contribute to the delivery of the UK and Scottish
Climate Change Programmes, including to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to future climate
change scenarios.

Produce and publicly declare a plan, with targets and time-scales, to achieve a significant reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions from our own operations. This will include our energy sourcing and use, travel and
transportation, waste production and disposal, estate management, procurement of goods and services, and
through improved staff awareness.

Ensure that greenhouse gas reduction and climate change adaptation measures are clearly incorporated into all
of our new and existing strategies, plans and programmes, in line with sustainable development principles.

Assess the risks and opportunities for our services and our communities of predicted climate change scenarios
and impacts, and take action to adapt accordingly and in line with sustainable development principles.

Encourage and work with others in our local community to take action to adapt to the impact of climate change,
to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions and to make public their commitment to action.

Monitor and publish an annual report on the progress of our climate change response, detailing targets set,
actions taken, outcomes achieved and further actions required.

Collaborate with other organisations to promote good practice on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
_____________ acknowledges the increasing impact that climate change will have on our community, Scotland and
other countries during the 21st Century and commits to tackling the causes and effects of a changing climate within
our local area.
Signatories
Chief Executive/Director
_______________
SCC Declaration Aug 2006 version
Chair/Council Leader
________________
Scottish Executive Minister
_________________