Dundee City Council's carbon footprint has been reduced by 6% in the past 12 months according to new figures.

The reduction, highlighted in a report approved by councillors, is the fifth consecutive year that there has been a drop.

John Alexander convener of Dundee City Council's policy and resources committee said: "These figures are a tremendous achievement when you consider that each year it gets more difficult to make significant reductions because the quick and easy hits have already been attained.

"But our role isn't just to reduce our own carbon footprint it is also to act as a leader and influencer, encouraging other public and private sector bodies across the city to follow us and reduce their emissions.


"This reduction will contribute to our aim in Dundee of reducing carbon emissions by 40% by the year 2030, in line with the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy."

Cllr Christina Roberts, the council's climate change spokesperson added: "Despite the drop over five years we will not let up our efforts to continue to reduce the level of harmful pollutants in our environment.

"We must continue to invest heavily in energy efficiency measures across the council's properties, expand our electric vehicle fleet and charging infrastructure, construct flood defences and drive forward active travel education programmes."

The Scottish Government plan to increase the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 carbon emissions reduction target to 90% by 2050 and the council along with 150 other Scottish public bodies has a duty to contribute to delivering the target and reporting annually on their actions in tackling climate change.