The review of plans that followed Glasgow’s 2019 declaration of a climate emergency has been prompted by a wide range of factors that includes accelerating climate change, national policy development, funding and the availability of new technology.

Actions across 11 categories have been generated by the review that included key priorities such as transport, green economy, heating, built environment, energy, waste, biodiversity and carbon removal.

With Glasgow’s carbon emissions on a long-term downward trend, these future actions have fed into a revised Climate Plan designed to build climate change resilience and drive the city towards the 2030 net zero target. Last year’s Net Zero Route Map report found net zero 2030 to be achievable if the city’s carbon reduction and removal interventions are backed by significant investment.

The new Climate Plan has also found the transition to a net zero Glasgow also goes hand-in-hand with 18 tangible community gains that will be felt by residents and businesses across the city. These include environmental benefits such as reduced air and noise pollution, ecosystem recovery, improved local spaces, better building conditions and safer travel for walking and cycling.  

But the new plans also help to address social challenges such as reducing child and fuel poverty, improving community empowerment and cohesion alongside supporting better physical and mental health. Economic progress is available through the development of green jobs, skills and education.

Councillor Angus Millar, city convener for climate, believes the new Climate Plan gives Glasgow the chance to build a greener, more equitable and resilient future.

Councillor Millar said: “Glasgow’s 2030 net zero target has driven significant action across the city and has enabled progress on climate action that would not have been otherwise achieved.

“Our new Climate Plan builds on what has already been accomplished and will drive us as close to net zero as possible by 2030. We know the scale of opportunity in Glasgow to pursue lower-carbon energy, heating and transport - and it’s more important than ever that we maintain our ambition and redouble our efforts to spur on that transition.

“Our revised plan will help ensure our city is better equipped to make the journey to net zero and deal with the increasing risks posed by the climate emergency. But the updated plan also provides an opportunity to deliver added advantages such as warmer homes, cleaner air and green job opportunities while helping to lift families out of poverty.

“Glasgow is a city leading on climate action. As a city we are showing prosperity and environmental stewardship can step forward together and it is this connection that will carry us towards a low carbon future.”

The revised Climate Plan was presented to elected members on the council’s Net Zero and Climate Progress Monitoring City Policy Committee for consideration. The plan will now go before the City Administration Committee for approval, which, if granted, will allow a public consultation on the plan to begin in December this year.

Full details of the revised Climate Plan can be found in the papers presented to the Net Zero and Climate Progress Monitoring City Policy Committee, which is available through this link.