By Sarah Hilley

Copyright glasgowlive

Glasgow City Council is currently on track to cut carbon emissions by 70 per cent come 2030 – after it was revealed an original goal to reach net zero during that year will be missed.

A council official has described the climate change progress so far as an “unbelievable achievement” considering the density of the city.

It has been estimated previously that to hit net zero would cost £40 billion for Scotland’s biggest city. The council set a target to have no greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, which is no longer considered possible.

The city’s head of sustainability Gavin Slater said current projections now show the council “getting to about 70 per cent currently ( in emission reductions) – if we keep at the present pace we are going at.”

He added: “That leaves us with a 30 per cent reduction in residual emissions to deal with, which is something that needs a national approach – it is not something that Glasgow City Council can deal with on its own. The important message is that our net zero target has got us significantly progressed in terms of our emission reduction getting to 70 per cent, which is an unbelievable achievement for any city particularly one with the density of Glasgow. ”

Speaking at the council’s operational performance and delivery scrutiny committee last week, Mr Slater said: “It is something that should be celebrated. How we deal with that 30 per cent residual emissions is something we are still working on both locally and nationally.”

Residual emissions are very difficult to eliminate.

Mr Slater was responding to a question from Labour councillor Stephen Docherty asking if the council is on course to deliver net zero by 2030.

Mr Slater also told councillors about two potential roadmaps for 2030 goals. One puts forward a £23.5 billion of investment to achieve a 60 per cent reduction in emissions and the other accelerated effort would see 80 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 with £36.8 billion cash required.

The accelerated approach would involve a major shift to electric vehicles, electrification of freight vehicles as well as the council leading on the development and delivery of heat networks and also a substantial rise in the use of heat pumps.

Councillor Soryia Siddque, Labour asked how Glasgow is performing when measured against comparable cities.

Mr Slater said: “Glasgow performs very well. We are comparable with Edinburgh – we perform better with Edinburgh per capita in terms of emissions.”

He said other evaluations also demonstrate how the city is doing including statutory reports and the Climate Disclosure Project, pointing out Glasgow gets an A rating.

He said: “We are among the highest rated in Scottish authorities and in the UK as well.”

The latest situation on environmental targets was presented as part of a strategic plan update on the challenge to fight the climate emergency in a just transition to a net zero Glasgow.

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