Annual Report 2022/23 - Data Updates and Analysis

Carbon emissions is 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 doesn’t fully reflect the local context. Within the 2020 dataset there was a change in the methodology of how emissions from land is calculated, which has resulted in Shetland’s emissions from land increasing significantly. This methodology was applied across previous years to bring them in line and show trends. The BEIS data show Shetland’s carbon emission estimates for 2021 is higher than our emissions from 2020, as is expected due to behavioural and system changes during COVID. Carbon emissions in Shetland remain significantly higher than Scotland’s. Shetland Island Council’s Climate Change Strategy team are working on Net Zero Route Maps for both Shetland Islands Council and Shetland Islands as a whole. The Shetland Route Map works to enhance the BEIS dataset with local specific data, giving a more accurate picture of emissions across Shetland. A Shetland Climate Change Steering Group has recently been formed to build on form the Shetland Net Zero Route Map learnings and create a place-based climate change strategy and action plan for Shetland.

People in Shetland who feel part of their community* was 91% in 2021. Between 2016 and 2021, Shetland has experienced a higher percentage of people who feel part of their community than Scotland as a whole each year.

There were no Community Council seats contested at the most recent elections in October 2022, leaving 38 vacant seats. Shetland Islands Council have agreed to review the Community Council Scheme of Establishment. This review will take place over the next 2 years.