Sustainable development
Sustainable development may sound complicated, but it’s based on a simple idea: that we should meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The Council is doing its part to support this by developing the Climate Action Plan (CAP) for East Dunbartonshire to set out a strategic approach for reducing our contributions to climate change and delivering environmental, social and economic benefits in a joined-up way.
The Council approved the CAP Evidence and Options Report on 28 September 2023 and agreed a net zero target of 2036 for the Council’s direct emissions and purchased energy, in addition to a target of 2045 for all other emissions – including those emissions in the East Dunbartonshire area as a whole.
The draft Climate Action Plan (CAP) was approved by the Council for public consultation in October 2025. A 10-week public consultation period followed to gather views on the draft CAP and the proposed actions set out under each strategic theme. All comments and suggestions gathered during the consultation will be considered in the preparation of the final CAP.
The draft CAP contains an action plan to support the delivery of these ambitious targets and will be supported by the Carbon Management Plan (CMP), a report monitoring progress towards targets within the CAP.
Emissions reduction is not the only motivation to take climate action. Climate action also brings wider benefits, known as co-benefits – such as cleaner air, improved quality of health, job creation and enhanced biodiversity. Some examples of co-benefits can be seen in the figure below.
