Aberdeen is poised to become the first city in Scotland to sign up to a pioneering European carbon-cutting project.

City councillors have unanimously accepted an invitation from the European Commission to become a signatory to the Covenant of Mayors - which aims to put progressive cities at the forefront of Europe-wide efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Some 478 population centres across Europe have signed up to the initiative but none so far in Scotland.

The project is creating a permanent network of cities which are committed to going beyond the European Union target of reducing global-warming carbon emissions by 20% by 2020.

The Covenant of Mayors scheme allows cities to exchange and apply best practice to improve energy-efficiency and ensure cleaner energy production and use.

The scheme requires signatories to create a Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) within a year of signing the Covenant, detailing practical strategies to achieve significant CO2 reductions.

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SEAPs focus on new buildings, major refurbishments, transport, planning, city infrastructure like streetlights, and citizens' own energy use.

Aberdeen City Council already has a carbon management programme for its own operations and is on schedule to exceed the European 20% emission-cutting target by 2020 for its own activities.

The Covenant requires cities to submit reports on their progress at least every second year, share their know-how with other signatories, and organise Energy Days with the EU and other partners to spread the message to their populations about smart use of energy. Cities are also encouraged to stimulate the involvement of businesses, schools, universities and community groups in working towards deep cuts in carbon emissions.

The Commission finances a secretariat to support the Covenant and ploughs resources into a research centre which offers scientific and technical advice to all signatories. Cities are also offered opportunities to join innovative pilot schemes.

Lord Provost Peter Stephen said: "I will be proud to represent Aberdeen on this important body. Europe is launching a new green revolution, which will bring real economic benefits and help to combat climate change. Aberdeen, as the continent's Energy Capital, needs to be at the forefront of forward-looking initiatives like this."

The EU sees the transition to a low-carbon economy as crucial to fighting climate change and as an integral part of boosting the continent's competitiveness, she adds.

(GK/JM)