Climate target warning

FIFE councillors have been warned more must be done t o avoid t he region falling short of looming tough new climate change targets.

Members of Fife’s environment, protective services and community safety committee heard that Fife has made great strides in recent years in cutting its carbon footprint and is well on the way to meeting the Scottish Government’s current emission reduction target of 42% by 2020.

H o w e v e r, b e c a u s e Scotland as a whole achieved the 2020 national emissions reduction target six years early, councillors were advised the Scottish Government is preparing to increase the target to 56% by 2020 on 1990 levels.

Fife will therefore need to cut a further quarter off its current carbon footprint within the next three years.

Environmental strategy officer Cat Payne stressed the situation would require a “step change” in Fife Council’s investment and ambitions, and admitted current projects will not be sufficient.