Lib Dem Led Aberdeenshire Council pledges Carbon neutrality by 2020

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 5th Apr 2007

Aberdeenshire Council has made a commitment to becoming a carbon neutral organisation by the year 2020.

The drive towards carbon neutrality was prompted by the latest investigation conducted by the authority's Scrutiny and Audit Committee (SAC).

The committee's report, "The Bigger Issue", examined the council's response to climate change and outlined a series of points for action which have been approved by the full council.

SAC Chairman Councillor Martin Ford said: "This investigation was a real learning experience for all of us and I believe Aberdeenshire Council may be the first to develop such a firm course of action concerning climate change.

"Scientific, economic and moral considerations all point to the same conclusion: take action right now to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

Cllr Alison McInnes PSPC North East Scotland, congratulating Cllr Ford and his committee on their comprehensive and challenging report, said "The audit report made it clear that doing nothing was not an option, and the fact that the Council has been bold enough to agree to commit to carbon neutrality by 2020 demonstrates that the Liberal Democrats are determined that Scotland takes a leading role in tackling this global challenge and are willing to make tough decisions for the sake of the environment."