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Climate change tools to aid councils |
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Thursday, 08 November 2007 |
Councils will have access to a dedicated new database of information to co-ordinate their efforts to reduce emissions and combat climate change, Finance Secretary John Swinney said today.
The Climate Change Tools Database will deliver targeted information and
guidance for councils to play their part in making Scotland a global
leader in tackling climate change.
There are also plans for a pilot of Local Climate Impacts Profiles,
which allow communities to understand the opportunities and threats for
them from a changing climate.
Swinney said: "Local authorities have a critical contribution to make
if Scotland is going to take a global lead in the fight against climate
change. With support from the Sustainable Scotland Network and others,
councils have already made significant strides in addressing climate
change.
"Moving forward, councils have a key contribution to make in delivering
the ambitious targets in our proposed Climate Change Bill. They will be
the front line in safeguarding communities from the unavoidable impacts
of a changing climate. Councils need the right tools for the job:
up-to-date information, advice and guidance. That is what we are giving
them.
"The climate change tools database will guide councils to the right
solution to tackle climate change based on their needs, using a
comprehensive list of mitigation and adaptation tools and programmes.
There are also plans to tender for a pilot of local climate impacts
profiles, which will look in detail at community level threats and
opportunities presented by climate change."
Councillor Alison Hay, CoSLA's regeneration and sustainable development
spokesperson, said: "COSLA welcomes the launch today of the Climate
Change Tools Database. This is a real example of a number of bodies,
committed to addressing climate change, coming together to produce a
valuable resource on which councils can draw. I want to see less talk
and more action and this is exactly that, helping councils in a
practical way deliver on their Climate Change Declaration commitments."
Swinney also confirmed that the Scottish Government would produce an
adaptation strategy for Scotland, which will guide action to cope with
unavoidable climate change.
"Scotland is already feeling the effects of a changing climate with
rising temperatures and a higher frequency of winter storms. Local
authorities will make a vital contribution to help communities deal
with the impacts of climate change," Swinney said.
"The Scottish adaptation strategy will look at the challenges and
opportunities of a changing climate and identify priority adaptation
action required in Scotland. This will be consulted on in 2008."
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