Climate Change

Waste Moray has excellent recycling rates. Changes to waste management arrangements have recently seen a further increase in recycling and reduction of waste going to landfill. Gases emitted from landfill account for a large proportion of the council’s total emissions so diverting waste from landfill is a key priority. Progressive capping at the landfill site captures the gasses it produces which are then fed into the grid.

Heat and energy Electricity, gas and oil used in council buildings (including schools) combine to make up the majority of council emissions. The council is working to improve energy efficiency in existing buildings and to ensure that construction of new buildings has minimal carbon impact.

Transport Emissions from the council’s vehicle fleet mainly come from diesel fuel, the replacement of which for our HGV and large bus fleet presents a challenge. The council's Zero Emission Fleet Replacement Strategy 2024 outlines that 9% of the council’s fleet has already been changed to electric. This will continue to be built upon, alongside a programme to implement supporting infrastructure and exploring other zero carbon emission alternatives.

Food Moray Council signed the Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration in September 2021, committing us to developing sustainable food policies and strategies that will tackle the climate and nature emergency. The council’s award winning school catering team have ensured that all primary school meals now benefit pupil health, the environment and the local economy.

Local Development A core aim of Moray’s Local Development Plan 2020 is to encourage efficient use of land and promote low carbon and sustainable development. Specific principles are in place requiring developers to design for low and zero carbon emissions and to avoid development on carbon rich soils.

Community Action The council is a member of Moray Climate Action Network (Moray CAN), which is hosted by Tsi Moray. Moray CAN is a collaborative initiative funded by the Scottish Government as a designated climate hub. This dynamic network connects individuals and organisations in the Moray region to advance climate action and sustainability. With funding allocated for climate-related projects, Moray CAN facilitates knowledge exchange, project collaboration, and commissioning opportunities, aiming to address gaps in climate action and build upon existing efforts within the community.

Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) The council is developing a new long term plan to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise heat in Moray homes and buildings. Large scale action will be required in order to meet Scotland’s targets for reducing both carbon emissions and fuel poverty and the LHEES will ensure this is delivered in a way that is locally led and specific to the needs of communities.

Home Decarbonisation Support is available to make certain homes warmer and more energy efficient through a Scottish Government funded scheme. Improvements for eligible properties are delivered for the council by Changeworks and include installation of solar panels and battery storage, internal or cavity wall insulation and air source heat pumps.

Education Moray schools deliver Learning for Sustainability as an important part of the curriculum, supporting understanding of climate change within our communities. Improvements to school buildings and grounds to further support outdoor learning are ongoing across Moray.

Sustainable Travel The council promotes active and sustainable travel through a number of initiatives. The transition to zero and low carbon forms of transport are being supported through infrastructure improvements as well as working with schools and communities to encourage behaviour change.

Local Economy The council recognises the importance of vibrant and resilient local businesses in building a sustainable, low carbon economy for Moray. Our procurement strategy reflects the Council’s commitment to community wealth building and increasing the opportunity for local suppliers to secure or participate in public contracts. Improved engagement with local businesses and enhanced supplier development initiatives are being progressed to support these objectives.

Hydrogen Strategy The rapid reduction of carbon emissions we need to make will involve adoption of new and innovative technologies in addition to other measures. The Moray Hydrogen Strategy sets out how the development of a green hydrogen economy in Moray could support the transition away from burning fossil fuels and create quality local jobs. The strategy was updated in 2024 and is available here.

The Council recognises its duty to protect and enhance biodiversity. Examples of projects aiming to enhance biodiversity include the creation of living lawns and wildflower meadows, plans for renewed management of valuable nature sites and to investigate carbon offsetting through new, biodiverse, woodland creation. To find out more about nature restoration in Moray visit the nature and biodiversity pages.

The Moray Local Development Plan 2020 (MLDP 2020) includes a biodiversity policy which requires developers to support biodiversity. The Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework 4 places nature and climate as key considerations within development decisions. Local guidance is available to support delivery of Policy 3: Biodiversity. 

A Climate Ready Organisation The council is working to understand and act upon the unavoidable impacts of climate change. The council's contribution to the delivery of the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 3 is available to view within the Sustainable Scotland Network progress reports. A Local Climate Impact Profile 2018-2023 explores some of the ways that climate change is already affecting council services and the wider community. 

Flood Management Massive investment in flood alleviation has been made by the council since 2014. This has already prevented damage from flooding and will continue to do so as extreme weather events increase as a result of climate change.

Planning and Development National Planning Framework 4 and supplementary guidance for developers within the MLDP 2020 restricts development on land which is at significant risk of flooding, including that by erosion and sea level rise in coastal areas. The policy requires sustainable management of surface water to be built in to new developments, enhancing biodiversity and carbon sequestration as well as mitigating flood risk.

The Council agreed a Sustainable Development Statement which shows how sustainable development is embedded in the Corporate Plan 2024-2029 and wider corporate policies and strategies. The Statement also identifies some gaps in current activity which require to be addressed in the short to medium term (by December 2025) to more fully comply with Best Value guidance, with five actions identified to progress over that time frame. A review of the Statement will be undertaken as part of the Climate Strategy 2020-2030 Update to progress during 2024/25. That review will incorporate a more expansive look at climate change including the social and economic impacts of sustainability as well as the environmental impacts.