Sustainability and Climate Change - what we are doing

Our Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy contains an action plan to improve our sustainability performance: it deals with climate change; protecting and enhancing our environment; improving quality of life for our residents; and using resources more efficiently.

The actions relate to the 26 objectives of the strategy, which are listed below:

Preparing for predicted climate change impacts in Clackmannanshire by improving our resilience and adaptive capacity

Our actions for this objective are to prepare

an Adaptation Framework for Clackmannanshire,
a Flood Management Strategy for Clackmannanshire.

Reduce our contribution to climate change through mitigation measures

Our actions for this objective are to

implement the Carbon Management Strategy and Implementation Plan (this plan is currently being reviewed),
investigate carbon accounting,
develop a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy for Clackmannanshire,
pursue funding to promote home insulation and energy saving across the housing stock (for more information on home energy and home insulation, visit the home energy section of this website.

Improve quality of life in Clackmannanshire

We will work towards this objective by continuing to work with our community planning partners on initiatives to improve quality of life.

Achieve balance between material consumption and ecological sustainability

We have used ecological footprinting to explore the impacts of our development planning decisions as part of the preparation of the Local Development Plan Main Issues Report.

Achieve sustainable economic development

We will work towards this objective with our community planning partners in the Clackmannanshire Alliance's Economic Development Partnership Team, taking forward Building Clackmannanshire.

Target skills and training, and reduce unemployment

We will work towards this objective with our community planning partners in the Clackmannanshire Alliance's Economic Development Partnership Team, taking forward Building Clackmannanshire.

Regenerate Clackmannanshire's town centres

We will work towards this objective with our community planning partners and with the Alloa Town Centre Business Improvement District. We intend to develop a Strategy for Town Centre Improvement, building on the success of the Imagine Alloa initiative, and identifying priorities for improvement in other town centres.

Reduce social exclusion

Our actions for this objective are to:

Implement Development Plan policy on affordable homes
Implement the Local Housing Strategy and the Housing (Scotland) Act
Continue investment in heating systems and thermal insulation in existing housing stock
Develop an Affordable Warmth and Home Energy Action Plan

Reduce health inequalities

We will work towards this objective with our community planning partners. Together we have reviewed and updated the Clackmannanshire Joint Health Improvement Plan.

Conserve Clackmannanshire's built heritage

We will work towards this objective by completing Conservation Area Appraisals for all of Clackmannanshire's conservation areas.

Reduce the Council's carbon footprint and improve energy conservation and efficiency throughout the Council

Our actions for this objective are to

develop a Renewable Energy Strategy for the Council,
investigate the potential for renewable energy technologies on Council-owned land and buildings,
prepare a Water Management Strategy for the Council.

Facilitate and encourage the sustainable location of new development

Our actions for this objective are to

develop new sustainability criteria for the location of new development,
assess all Local Development Plan policies and guidelines using strategic environmental assessment.

Facilitate and encourage the sustainable design and construction of new development

Our action for this objective is to introduce sustainable design and construction guidelines for new development as Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Minimise waste generation

Our actions for this objective are to

continue promotion of waste prevention and awareness,
develop a Waste Minimisation Plan.

Maximise recycling and composting

We will work towards this objective by maintaining and extending existing waste management facilities.

Minimise litter

We will work towards continuous improvement in the annual General Cleanliness Index.

Reduce the environmental impact of travel

Our actions for this objective are to

implement the Local Transport Strategy,
adopt a Travel Plan for the Council,
establish measures to reduce our use of fleet fuel,
promote the use of pool bikes.

Further the conservation of biodiversity

Our actions for this objective are to

revise the Clackmannanshire Biodiversity Action Plan,
continue to support the Clackmannanshire Biodiversity Partnership,
continue to work with the RSPB to improve the Black Devon Wetland and support the Forth Vision,
encourage the protection and enhancement of the natural environment through policies in the Local Development Plan.

Encourage a healthy level of physical activity

Our actions for this objective are to

establish current use and set targets for use of selected core paths,
develop an Outdoor Access Strategy,
increase physical activity through Clackmannanshire's anticipatory care programme (Clackmannanshire Healthier Lives) and Wee County Walkers,
promote activity through the Clackmannanshire Ranger Service outdoor activities programme,
encourage physical activity through sports development.

Protect and maintain woodland and greenspace

Our action for this objective is to develop an Open Space Strategy.

Protect and improve water resources

Our action for this objective is to develop Local Development Plan policy for water status improvement.

Fully consider the environmental, economic and social consequences of Council procurement decisions

In order to achieve this we intend to follow actions set out in the Scottish Government's Flexible Framework Assessment Tool.

Promote fairly traded goods in the community

Our action for this objective is to work towards Fairtrade Town status for one of our towns.

Effectively communicate the meaning and importance of sustainability

In order to meet this objective we will continue to support sustainability activity in schools, particularly through the Eco-Schools programme.

Increase awareness of sustainability issues within the Council

Our action for this objective is to prepare a Communication Strategy.

Encourage community participation in decision-making

We will work towards this objective with our community planning partners in the Clackmannanshire Alliance's Environment Partnership Team, by implementing its framework document, Greening Clackmannanshire.