Convention helps shape climate response
More than 100 school pupils, representatives from community groups, businesses and other stakeholders took part in North Ayrshire’s first Climate Change Convention last week.
The event, which involved speakers, a debate and discussions, on a huge range of relevant topics, was also streamed live on the council’s social media channels.
Councillor Joe Cullinane, leader of North Ayrshire Council, will now take the feedback and see how it can be used to affect change across the region.
The event kicked off with the council leader outlining the positive changes made to date, leading to a reduction of 44 per cent in both the council’s carbon emissions and North Ayrshire as a whole. This has been achieved through the installation of solar panels on council buildings, new district heating schemes, and increasing energy efficiency through education and other renewable technologies.
Attendees then heard from Kathryn Dapre, head of energy and sustainability NHS and chairwoman of Sustainable Network Scotland, and Ellie Murtagh from Sniffer, representing Adaptation Scotland, who both spoke passionately at the event in Saltcoats Town Hall.
Kathryn said: ‘I was delighted to be taking part in this important event and good to see North Ayrshire Council taking an ambitious and proactive approach to tackling the climate emergency. As well as being linked to my day job, I also have a personal interest in this as I’m a North Ayrshire resident – which means that my own travel footprint for this event will be minimal.’
Ellie added: ‘Adaptation Scotland was delighted to be involved in the event and looks forward to working further with North Ayrshire Council on its adaptation journey. We also welcome North Ayrshire Council’s strong commitment to climate action, including the addition of a climate change adaptation work stream to the forthcoming environmental sustainability and climate change strategy.
‘The inclusion of an adaptation work stream will be a crucial opportunity to enhance resilience and deliver long term benefits for communities.’
After the presentations, the three speakers took questions from the floor. The main focus of the event was round table discussions with all participants to hear their ideas about what can be done to tackle climate change together.
The council last year declared a climate emergency and backed that up by committing £8.8 million in this year’s budget towards implementing change.
Councillor Cullinane added: ‘The climate emergency is an existential threat to our planet that requires urgent action to be taken, at all levels of government, across the globe to rapidly cut carbon emissions. Here in North Ayrshire we have a real chance to lead from the front and set the agenda.’