Perth and Kinross Council has cut its carbon footprint by 16% over the past year.
This achievement reflects the Council's ongoing efforts to reduce emissions across its operations and deliver on Scotland's net zero ambitions.
The reduction has been driven by improvements in waste management, energy efficiency, and transport.
A new waste contract introduced in August 2023 has diverted thousands of tonnes of residual waste away from landfill, cutting emissions by nearly 4,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The Council's Twin Stream recycling system, launched in early 2024, has also boosted recycling rates, particularly for plastics, helping to avoid emissions linked to general waste.
Energy use across the Council's buildings has continued to fall thanks to investment in energy-saving projects and upgrades such as air source heat pumps and improved insulation. These changes have delivered reductions in gas and oil consumption, even as the Council's estate has grown with the addition of new facilities like Perth Museum.
Transport emissions have also seen progress. The introduction of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as an alternative fuel for heavy goods vehicles has cut emissions from these vehicles by over 20%, saving an estimated 278 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
The Council is expanding this initiative, with more vehicles set to switch to HVO in the coming year. At the same time, the fleet has become greener, with more electric and small petrol vehicles, replacing large diesel and petrol models.
While commuting emissions have risen slightly due to changes in working patterns, the Council continues to promote sustainable travel and reduce reliance on personal vehicles through initiatives such as pool cars and service-specific vehicles.
These improvements form part of the Council's wider Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, which sets out clear priorities for governance and adaptation. Looking ahead, the Council will continue to embed climate considerations into decision-making, expand carbon literacy training, and strengthen resilience to climate risks.
Councillor Richard Watters, convener of Perth and Kinross Council's Climate Change and Sustainability Committee, said: "The Council began reporting its carbon footprint in 2015/16, when it stood at nearly 39,000 tonnes of CO₂. Last year, we reduced that figure to 23,457 tonnes - a significant step towards tackling climate change and improving the air we all breathe.
"From converting bin lorries to run on vegetable oil instead of diesel, to ensuring new buildings meet Passivhaus standards, we are committed to driving down emissions even further. We will continue to embrace innovative technologies and rethink how we work to achieve a greener, more sustainable future for our communities."
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