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Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy

The Council's Draft Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy is now open for public consultation until 24th October 2008.

Sustainability and climate change are becoming increasingly prominent issues that affect all of our lives and this Strategy has been prepared so that Clackmannanshire Council can meet the challenges and secure a prosperous and healthy future for generations to come.

We are already off to a good start: Clackmannanshire has the highest recycling rate in Scotland and, with the re-opening of the railway, is now better connected than ever before. We have a varied landscape, a rich built heritage and a strong history of working in partnership to enhance our environment.

In 2007 the Council signed Scotland's Climate Change Declaration, committing us to work to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate. Since then, we have taken part in the Local Authority Carbon Management Programme, identifying where we can make changes to reduce our emissions, and setting out a plan of how to do it.

This Strategy will help us continue and improve on the work that we have already done, and we hope that it will also be an inspiration for other organisations to do their bit for a sustainable Clackmannanshire.

The Sustainability Strategy document is accompanied by a summary version and a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) environmental report. These three documents are now the subject of public consultation and can be downloaded here:

Draft Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy
Summary version
Environmental Report

These documents will shortly be available to view at the Council's offices and at local libraries.

Drop-in consultation events have been organised, which are open to all to attend. Council officers will be available to discuss the Strategy and the Environmental Report, and answer any questions that you might have. The events will take place as follows:

2nd September, Alloa Town Hall, 3pm-7pm
9th September, Dalmore Centre, Alva, 3pm-7pm
16th September, Dollar Civic Centre, 3pm-7pm
25th September, new unit in East Vennel, Alloa, 11am-5pm

The closing date for comments is Friday 24th October, 2008. Comments should be made in writing and sent to Niall Urquhart, Team Leader Sustainability, Development and Environmental Services, Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa FK10 1EB or emailed to sustainability@clacks.gov.uk

Strategic Environmental Assessment

Previously, under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 the Council prepared a screening report to help it decide whether strategic environmental assessment (SEA) of the strategy is required.

This report was sent to the statutory consultation authorities: the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA),Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and Historic Scotland for their opinions on whether the strategy is likely to have significant environmental impacts.

Having reviewed the screening report and the consultation authorities' responses, Clackmannanshire Council made a determination that strategic environmental assessment is required for the Sustainability Strategy.

You can view or download the above mentioned documents from this page:-

The next stage in the SEA process was the scoping stage, which gave the consultation authorities the opportunity to comment on the scope and level of detail of the proposed SEA. These documents are available below to view or download:

The Environmental Report has now been prepared and is open for public consultation alongside the Draft Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy until 24th October 2008

The Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy

The Strategy focuses on a number of key areas by which the Council, its partners, developers and others can achieve delivery of sustainability and will develop a vision for a more Sustainable Clackmannanshire.

These include:

  • Putting its own house in order, for example through adoption of a green travel plan, efficient use of energy and water, minimisation of waste and environmentally sound purchasing policies and an Environmental Policy.
  • Developing policies which address the need for mitigation of and adaptation to climate change.
  • Building on the improved scope for sustainable travel offered by the new Stirling-Alloa passenger rail line and Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine freight rail line, opening in 2007.
  • Monitoring air quality and enforcing pollution laws
  • Promoting the health of Clackmannanshire residents through a range of practical projects and initiatives
  • Increasing recycling rates and waste minimisation within the community
  • Continuing to develop and implement planning policies which are consistent with the principles of sustainable development
  • Promoting sustainable design and construction, including a focus on energy efficiency and encouraging adoption of micro-renewables. New Sustainable Construction and Design Guidelines will help guide the process.

The draft Strategy has been developed in conjunction with our Community Planning Partners and is co-ordinated with the work of the Clackmannanshire Alliance.

Sustainability Achievements and Initiatives

The Council has already achieved a range of successes in delivering sustainability. Visit the sections below to read about some of these achievements and for a brief overview of some of the proposed initiatives which are being considered for inclusion in our Strategy:

Ecological footprint

Reducing our impact on the environment:

  • Promotion of Alloa / Stirling Passenger Rail Service
  • River Devon Flood Alleviation Project (Supporting WWF Scotland)
  • Promotion of Sustainable Design Principles
  • Promotion of Brownfield Development
  • Installation of Pilot Energy Efficiency Measures in Council Properties
  • Promotion of Recycling through Household Waste Collection & 2 Civic Amenity Sites
  • Membership of Sustainable Scotland Network
  • Clackmannanshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan
  • Use of Electronic Media
Health and wellbeing
  • Support for Orchard Project
  • Promotion of Good Diet and Nutrition
  • Highlighting of Health Issues
  • Partnership Working with Forth Valley Health Board
  • Promotion of Access Strategy
  • Support for Integrated Clackmannanshire Hospital Project
  • Safe Routes to School
  • "Hungry for Success"
Sustainable travel
  • Alloa Town Centre Environmental Improvements - 50% reduction in traffic, large reduction in number of accidents, public transport and pedestrian enhancements
  • National Cycle Network - Route 76 and Core Path Network
  • Safer Routes to Schools and School Travel Plans
  • Bus Station Improvements in Alloa and Tillicoultry
  • Footway Improvements
  • Dial-a-journey and Taxi-card scheme for mobility impaired
  • Cycle Parking in Alloa Town Centre and at some Council offices/depots
  • Bus Quality Corridor between Alloa and Stirling
  • Fully accessible bus
  • Subsidised socially necessary bus routes
  • Procurement of Alloa to Glasgow via Stirling passenger rail service (Summer 2007)
Access
  • Increase the number of people who walk or cycle as part of their everyday lives
  • Encourage people to become more physically active
  • Reduce the number of unnecessary car journeys
  • Encourage tourism and economic development
  • Conserve and enhance Clackmannanshire's rich natural and cultural heritage
Waste management and recycling
  • Top Recycling Council in Scotland ( 38.1% of household waste in 2004/05)
  • 2 Bin + Box kerbside collection system for Household Waste - Green + Residual Bins & Recyclables Box
  • Promotion of Home Composting - Subsidised Compost Bins
  • Development of Polmaise Composting Facility for Green Waste ( Jointly with Stirling Council)
  • Operation of 2 Civic Amenity sites - Forthbank ( Household + Commercial Waste ) Glenochil ( Green Waste)
  • Operation of Waste Transfer Station for Household Waste
  • Promotion of Construction Site Waste Management through Development Advice Note
  • Partnership Agreement with Alloa Community Enterprise to collect furniture and white goods to provide starter packs for Council Housing Services
  • Restoration of Black Devon Tip with creation of Wetlands on adjoining land
  • Promotion of Waste Education in Schools
Education
  • Eco - Schools : Alva Primary, Muckhart Primary, Strathdevon Primary, Tower Nursery
  • Promoting Environmental Awareness
  • Safe Routes to Schools
  • 'Fish Go To School' Project
  • Recycling Areas
  • Litter Awareness Campaigns
  • 'Hungry for Success' School Meals Strategy
  • Healthy Eating Tuckshop
Economic sustainability
  • Re-use of Buildings
  • Re-development of Brownfield Sites
  • Kilncraigs Innovative Heating and Ventilation System
  • Local Knowledge Transfer
  • Energy / Resource Audits
  • Local Business Mentoring
  • Working with Clackmannanshire Community Planning Partnership
  • SIP into Business
  • Public / Private Partnership to Deliver Quality Business Parks
  • Business Liaison Initiative
Climate change adaptation
  • Installation of Renewable Energy Devices
  • Installation of Water Saving Devices
  • Development of Flood Warning System
  • Replacement of Inefficient Heating Plant
  • Upgrading of Insulation
  • Use of Low Energy Lighting
  • Installation of Double Glazing
  • Installation of Time and Temperature Controls on Heating Systems
  • River Devon Flood Alleviation Project / Supporting WWF Scotland
Design & construction
  • Remediation of Contaminated Land
  • Recycling and Reuse of Materials
  • Layout
  • Transport
  • Access
  • Public Safety / Crime Reduction
  • Biodiversity
  • Landscaping
  • Waste Water Treatment / Water Conservation
  • Recycling Facilities
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Use of Renewable Energy
Biodiversity
  • What is Biodiversity? Biodiversity is the total variety of life on earth; it includes all species and habitats. Biodiversity provides us with products like food and clothing, services like the absorption of carbon dioxide, medicines and beautiful creatures and landscapes.
  • Biodiversity is an integral part of sustainable development, its our life support system, it is essential, both now and in the future that we protect our local biodiversity.
  • Clackmannanshire Biodiversity Partnership was formed in 2001 to develop and implement the Clackmannanshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP). The LBAP is a key document in driving forward the maintenance and enhancement of habitats and species within Clackmannanshire through focussed local action.
  • The partnership aims to increase awareness of local biodiversity in communities across Clackmannanshire.


Contact information

For further information about this page please contact:

Sustainability
Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1EB
Tel: 01259 450000 Fax: 01259 727453
Email:

Or use the on-line contact form.