Perth and Kinross given A rating for environmental action

Perth and Kinross has been recognised as one of 119 cities and local authorities across the globe that are taking bold leadership on environmental action and transparency, despite the pressures of a challenging economic situation.

The award recognises the significant efforts undertaken by Perth and Kinross Council to address the climate and biodiversity emergencies.

In 2019, Perth and Kinross received a D-grade from the CDP, but this improved to a B in 2022 before attaining the highest grade possible this year.

The CDP, formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, is a not-for-profit organisation that runs the global disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts.

To score an A, among other actions, cities and local authorities must disclose publicly through CDP-ICLEI Track, have an area-wide emissions inventory and have published a climate action plan.

A-listers must also complete a climate risk and vulnerability assessment and have a climate adaptation goal to demonstrate how it will tackle climate hazards. Many A List locations are also taking a variety of other leadership actions.

They also demonstrate their climate leadership through concerted and effective action, just as national governments will be asked to do at COP28. They are taking four times as many mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A List locations.

Perth and the other 118 places on this year’s A List, are showing that urgent and impactful climate action - from ambitious emissions reduction targets to building resilience against climate change - is achievable at a global level, and in cities and local authorities with different climate realities and priorities.

Councillor Richard Watters, convenor of Perth and Kinross Council’s Climate Change and Sustainability Committee said: “This grading recognises the enormous progress that has been made in Perth and Kinross regarding awareness of the climate and ecological emergency, and how we can begin to address it.

“As a Council we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and encouraging others to do the same.

“This year we have signed a £50 million contract with the Binn Group to turn waste into energy and have also taken part in energy storage trials using groundbreaking new technology at our Friarton depot.

“This grading shows that we, as a local authority, are moving in the right direction but we know there is much more work that has to be done. We all have a stake in reaching net zero, and all have a part to play in getting there.”

Over 900 locations (939 in total) received a rating for their climate action from CDP in 2023. In 2023, just over one in 10 places scored by CDP (13% of the totals) received an A.