Carbon Emissions

Carbon emissions are challenging to monitor. The UK Government’s Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) data is used nationally as an indicator of how local authority areas are doing on their carbon emissions. This dataset brings together nationally available data and trends to give a broad overview, however, at times does not fully reflect the local context. 

• Carbon emissions in Shetland Islands Council area was 14.4 tonnes per capita compared to 4.8 for Scotland.
• Carbon emissions directly impacted by the Council in Shetland was 5.1 tonnes per capita compared to 4.3 for Scotland. 

There is clear evidence to show that climate change is happening and is linked to human activity. Nationally, the bulk of emissions come from demand for energy, with the largest contributor being carbon dioxide (CO2), emitted when fossil fuels are burnt to meet those demands (Climate Change Committee and Shetland Islands Council).

The rate at which CO2 is being added to the atmosphere and subsequent global warming, is unprecedented in the last 800,000 years. Impacts from climate change will vary globally, but worst impacts will affect those already vulnerable.  There is still the means to limit the worst impacts by taking strong action.

A changing climate is not simply an environmental issue. It is a wide-ranging problem with ecological, environmental, social and economic impacts on communities, businesses, infrastructure and day-to-day life (Shetland Islands Council).

The most crucial step to limit climate change is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as quickly as possible, either by doing things less or doing them differently.

This indicator contributes to monitoring the desired outcomes outlined in the Place priority of the Partnership Plan.

“All areas of Shetland will be benefitting from a more resilient low carbon economy underpinned by a culture of innovation, inclusion and skills development.”