Moray Council has announced the agreement of its first new Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES), providing the basis for decarbonising heat in buildings and improving energy efficiency. There's a legal requirement for local authorities to prepare, publish and review a LHEES and delivery plan every five years.

Moray's strategy identifies seven local priorities and acts as a platform to empower local communities to participate in a tailored approach to heat transition and locally-led decarbonisation initiatives.

The seven priorities identified for Moray are:

• Building sustainable and climate resilient communities

• Maximising knowledge and awareness and ensuring certainty of success

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• A just transition for the energy system

• Supporting a wellbeing economy, jobs and skills

• Tackling fuel poverty and improving health

• Improving the energy efficiency of buildings

• Decarbonising building heat sources

The delivery plan that sits alongside the strategy will now be actioned through existing resources or, where it can't be accommodated, additional funding will be applied for.

Speaking after the strategy had been agreed, Moray Council Leader, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: "This strategy helps to address the climate emergency by developing plans to reduce carbon emissions from buildings in Moray, including council buildings. There are a number of statutory requirements met via this strategy, however I'm encouraged that there is also potential for collaborative efforts in Moray to go beyond that. We look forward to working with the key stakeholders in the community who can help make this happen."

Moray Council's Climate Champion, Cllr Draeyk Van Der Hørn, added: "This is an important first step towards improving local heat and energy efficiency in Moray, the first time the council has set out so clearly how it intends to develop this work. I will always say more needs to be done around carbon emissions to tackle the climate emergency but I welcome all plans like this that demonstrate the co-benefits of climate action."