LATEST NEWS: Council to review carbon emissions of buildings across the city

Notes to editors

For more information from Turner & Townsend please contact Charlotte Treadwell
UK Communications Manager

t: +44 (0) 7939 279 941
e: charlotte.treadwell@turntown.co.uk

A net zero, climate ready Edinburgh by 2030

We have set an ambitious target for Edinburgh to become a net zero city by 2030. This means that by 2030, we want remove the same amount of greenhouse gases that we, as a city, put into the air.

Our 2030 target recognises the need for Edinburgh to play its part in helping to deliver on national goals to reduce emission. And that cities will need to make faster progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions if Scotland is to meet its national 2045 net zero target.

By cutting Edinburgh’s emissions, we are contributing to worldwide efforts to make sure that global warming stays below 1.5C. This is the upmost limit for global temperature rise, identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), if the planet is to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Edinburgh’s climate targets are key to achieving a more sustainable city. Climate and the environment were also key themes emerging from the City Vision 2050 consultation. This is where we asked people about their hopes and wishes for the future of the city.

Our longer-term vision for a greener, cleaner, fairer Edinburgh will only be possible through working with others. With people from across the city, across the council and across our partners.

There is a lot that we need to do to deliver a net zero, climate ready capital. But our focus will always be on making Edinburgh a better place to live, work and visit.

Helping Edinburgh reach net zero

As an organisation, we are responsible for around just three percent of the city’s emissions. We have committed to reducing our emissions to net zero by 2030.

However, we also have a key role to play in supporting Edinburgh meet its city-wide net zero target. We can help to

• build relationships and encourage partnerships which work on reducing emissions
• use planning and other regulatory levers to support reductions in emissions and the creation of a city which is better prepared for climate change
• invest in and support the delivery of infrastructure such as walking, cycling and wheeling routes, public transport and the upgrading of buildings, schools and housing to help cut emissions
• invest in renewable energies
• lobby for change as the capital of Scotland and a major UK city.

Ways we are supporting city climate targets

Granton Waterfront is Edinburgh’s largest net zero redevelopment which is

• piloting off-site construction to help cut greenhouse gas emissions
• building energy efficient, net zero carbon homes
• creating a district heating system and energy generation opportunities
• developing a coastal park to reduce flood risk and encourage plants and wildlife to flourish

Find out more about the Granton Waterfront development

We are also

• making Council houses and buildings more energy efficient and ready for the impacts of climate change
• improving our parks, playparks, food growing and urban forests which includes the One Million trees initiative and planting wee forests across the city
• upgrading our street lighting to energy efficient LED lights
• improving public transport links across the city through projects like Trams to Newhaven.

Find out more about what other groups and organisations in the city are doing and how you can get involved

Becoming a net zero Council

We want to become a net zero organisation by 2030.

As a key employer in Edinburgh, and a founding signatory of the Edinburgh Climate Compact, we want to make changes to the way we work as a Council to lead by example and help cut the city's emissions.

Our Council Emissions Reduction Plan outlines the first steps we are taking to get to net zero. This is through the way we work and travel, our buildings and our influence and leadership.

We have already

• started upgrading our public buildings
• committed to no longer developing public buildings with gas boilers that will need upgraded
• replaced over 200 council vehicles with lower emissions models
• committed to all new council buildings to being built to Passivhaus standard
• made changes to the way we buy goods and services, and who we buy from, to make sure we are as sustainable as possible
• improved the support to colleagues to help them make more sustainable choices in their personal and professional lives.

Track our progress to net zero

Our climate awards and memberships

Since we declared a climate emergency in 2019 we have

• achieved CDP A list status in 2021 and 2022. This is the highest global rating for climate action worldwide and we were the only A list city in Scotland in 2021, and one of only two A list cities in Scotland.
• signed up to the national Civic Charter on Climate by Scotland’s Climate Assembly in 2021
• gained the maximum of six badges by the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in 2021 – in recognition of Edinburgh's climate mitigation and adaptation efforts
• been ranked among the top three councils in the UK in 2022 by the Council Climate Plan Scorecard project for the quality of our Climate Strategy
• achieved Silver Sustainable Food City Status in 2022, in recognition of our pioneering work to promote healthy and sustainable food
• joined the Cities Race to Zero which is a global campaign to win leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth
• joined Cities Race to Resilience which is the sister campaign to Race to Zero and helps cities prepare for and adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change
• signed up to the Edinburgh Declaration committing to halt biodiversity loss
• signed up to UK100 Net Zero Pledge.