Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy

Overview

East Lothian Council is developing a Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan for East Lothian, for the period 2019–2024.

We would like to hear your views on what this should include.

Scotland has world-leading climate change legislation, with ambitious targets to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. As a public body, East Lothian Council is expected to lead by example in reducing carbon emissions and acting sustainably.

The Council is developing an ‘East Lothian Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy’, which will set out a coordinated approach and action plan to contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions.

• ‘Mitigation’ is the actions we can all take to reduce our carbon emissions, which will help to reduce global warming and the serious effects this will have on the environment, society and the economy.
• ‘Adaptation’ is how our communities can adapt to extreme weather events and a climate that is already changing as a result of global warming. This will help to reduce inequalities, and enable our communities to be more resilient for the future.

The Strategy will raise awareness of climate change challenges and opportunities in East Lothian, and set out actions for the Council and the wider East Lothian community to mitigate against and reduce the effects of climate change, and promote resilient communities.

East Lothian Council has already undertaken many initiatives to reduce our carbon emissions and promote sustainability, and has more projects underway. There are many ways that the Council can further reduce its carbon emissions and be more sustainable. There are also many ways that local communities, groups, organisations, businesses and individuals can help to reduce their carbon footprint, make sustainable choices, and help to prepare for the effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events. These include:

• Improving the energy efficiency of homes and businesses;
• Reduce, reuse, recycle waste and promote the ‘circular economy’;
• Walk, cycle or use public transport instead of using the car;
• Buy local food, or grow your own;
• Help to improve local greenspaces for wildlife and people;
• Support local businesses to move to a low carbon and more localised economy;
• Prepare for and manage the impacts of climate change.

Why your views matter

We would like to hear your views on what East Lothian Council, and the wider East Lothian community (including local communities, groups, businesses and individuals), can do to reduce our carbon emissions, be more sustainable, and prepare for the future effects of climate change. Many local groups and organisations are already making a difference in our communities, and we can all achieve more by working together on this important agenda.

Your views will help to inform the development of an ‘East Lothian Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy 2019–24’, which will set out a coordinated approach and action plan for tackling climate change in East Lothian.

As well as the online survey below, we are running a series of Climate Change Consultation Events at venues across East Lothian from the 24th September to the 4th October - you can find details of these events here.