Aberdeen City Council has backed plans to reduce carbon emissions by 50% in the next four years.

The Powering Aberdeen initiative is a collaboration between various partners to help develop Aberdeen as a smart and low-carbon city.

The commitment includes partners such as Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen University, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen Inspired, Police Scotland, NHS Grampian and Scottish Enterprise.

A post-adoption statement providing a framework for monitoring and assessing Aberdeen's Sustainable Energy Action Plan was backed by councillors at a meeting on Thursday, 06 October.

The blueprint outlines key environmental issues and trends to be addressed by the Powering Aberdeen programme, namely in tackling energy inefficiency across the city and improving air quality for residents.

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Other features of the initiative include encouraging industry growth in green energy technology and renewables, as well as allowing the council to submit applications for essential funding and investment grants.

In addition, the council has approved plans for a new £150 million Energy from Waste facility to be built in East Tullos.

Construction on the plant will begin in January 2019 and will see Scottish councils banned from putting any biodegradable municipal waste into landfill.

Council Leader Jenny Laing said: "Powering Aberdeen has already started to develop and build on the many projects already taking place in Aberdeen that are supporting reductions in emissions, improving efficiency and in turn improving the quality of life for the residents of Aberdeen.

"Significant investment has been set aside for projects such as the city's £150 million Energy from Waste facility which was approved today, £4.5 million in a digital strategy which will improve energy management, £17 million on new over-cladding and window replacement projects which saves 500 tonnes of carbon each year in Seaton alone as well as £5.8 million in new insulation measures to improve energy efficiency.

"Aberdeen is leading the way in the use of green public transport to reduce vehicle emissions, and the Powering Aberdeen Steering Group is working hard to encourage the use of hydrogen and electric vehicles, as well as encouraging more walking and cycling."

(LM)