Stirling Council's Leader, Graham Houston, re-affirmed the Council's commitment to tackling climate change by signing Scotland's Climate Change Declaration and highlighting the important role of reducing the Council's own carbon emissions.

(L to R) Keith Yates - Chief Executive of Stirling Council, John Swinney - Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth and Graham Houston - Leader of Stirling Council signing Scotland's Climate Change Declaration in the Council Chambers, Viewforth, Stirling.

John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, and Council Chief Executive Keith Yates, joined him at a signing ceremony in the Council Chambers.

Speaking afterwards Mr Houston said: "We all have a responsibility to deal with activities that contribute to climate change and as a local authority we have already taken steps to reduce our own impact.

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"A first step is to measure emissions resulting from our own activities, such as heating buildings, operating machinery, the travel we undertake and the waste we produce, and then be creative in finding ways to reduce our demand for fuel and electricity whilst also delivering quality services to our communities. It is also important that we work in partnership with Government and our communities to co-ordinate efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to any changes in our climate."

John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth said: "I am delighted to be in Stirling to sign the council's climate change declaration. The Scottish Government is committed to reducing Scottish emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, one of the most ambitious statutory targets anywhere in the world. It is important that as a Government we work closely with local authorities to minimise the impacts of climate change on our communities. The Scottish Government is confident that the public sector, businesses and the people of Scotland are ready for the challenge."

Stirling Council recently approved its first Annual Statement on progress made in delivering the commitments in the Declaration.

Council emissions during 2006/07 have been estimated as 31,000 Tonnes of CO2. The Council is working in partnership with the Carbon Trust to establish a programme of work that will result in at least a 15% reduction in those emissions over the next 5 years.

In addition the Council are supporting Going Carbon Neutral Stirling and other local groups aiming to reduce carbon emissions from communities.

(GK/JM)