It's time to talk about how we can all work together to make a world of a difference as part of the Council's Climate Conversation.
People and businesses are being invited to take part in the consultation - ongoing until 2 May - and help to shape policies that will affect local lives for generations to come.
As well as surveys, online sessions are being held for individuals, communities and businesses.
- 22 March - 10am-12 noon
- 30 March - 2-4pm
- 22 April - 5.30-7.30pm
There are also online events targeted specifically at younger people taking place on Monday 15 March - from 12 noon-1pm and 4-5pm.
The sessions offer a chance to discuss issues, share ideas, and ask questions about reducing harmful carbon emissions and combating climate change.
You can sign up for the sessions via the consultation webpage - where there are also online surveys for the public, businesses and younger people.
In addition, you can engage through our social media channels, Facebook and Twitter.
The Climate Conversation will support the production of the Council's Climate Action Plan, which will guide work in East Dunbartonshire to support the Scottish Government's ambitious targets to secure a 75% reduction in carbon emissions (compared to 1990) by 2030 and to achieve 'net-zero' emissions by 2045.
The plan will set a 'net-zero' target for East Dunbartonshire as a whole, along with interim targets towards the achievement of that goal.
Councillor Vaughan Moody, Joint Leader of the Council, said, "I'd encourage everyone to visit the CAP webpage - and get involved in guiding plans to tackle climate change and improve air quality. The online sessions are a great way to speak directly to officers - discussing issues, ideas and potential ways forward."
Councillor Andrew Polson, Joint Leader of the Council, added, "It's crucial we include as many voices in the Climate Conversation as possible - encompassing people of all ages, local businesses and community groups. We are playing our part as a Council, but there are always ways to improve so please take the time to engage if you can."
The Climate Conversation aims to assess public opinion on climate change locally, and is an opportunity for residents and businesses to discuss views and priorities on the action we should take to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and improve our resilience to the accelerating impacts of climate change - such as the damage caused by more frequent flooding and storms.
It will also help to support a green recovery from the economic and social impacts of the pandemic.
The Climate Action Plan will build on the considerable progress the Council has already made in reducing its carbon footprint. The authority's carbon emissions have fallen 44% between 2012-13 and 2019-20, and work is underway to deliver a range of actions contained within its Sustainability & Climate Change Framework.
- Efforts to reduce carbon emissions at an area-wide level are already being pursued through a range of Council strategies, including the Local Housing Strategy, Local Transport Strategy, Local Development Plan 2 and Economic Recovery Plan.
- Other work includes the preparation of a Flood Risk Management Plan, which is vital in responding to the increasing and intensifying rainfall experienced as a result of climate change - helping to boost resilience as weather patterns change.
- On-the-ground projects include the trialling of air source heat pumps within the school estate and the Glazert River Restoration Project - protecting communities from flooding while delivering environmental, health and recreational benefits.
- Feasibility work is also being carried out to establish the scope for a further river restoration project involving a number of tributaries of the River Kelvin in East Dunbartonshire.
- In addition, a Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Pilot Project aims to identify opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and decarbonise heat, and the Council recently approved Air Quality Planning Guidance.
- Council officers also made an important contribution to the development of the Glasgow City Region Adaptation Strategy, the draft version of which was published for consultation in November 2020.
- Gerry Cornes, Chief Executive of East Dunbartonshire Council, is Lead Officer for Glasgow City Region's Land Use and Sustainability Portfolio.
- As well as the Climate Action Plan, work will also commence on other complementary new strategies: the Open Space Strategy, Circular Economy Strategy and Active Travel Strategy. Consultations on each will be undertaken later this year, with comments received as part of the Climate Conversation informing all four.
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