Glasgow council calls for more funding to meet £36 billion net zero target

Glasgow needs more funding to tackle climate change with investment of £36 billion required as a report shows the city is looking likely to miss a 2030 net zero target.

Two sets of actions have been laid out to help the city reach the green milestone with one option costing £23.5 billion bringing a 40 per cent shortfall in the reduction of carbon emissions by 2030. The other choice would need £36.8 billion and mean the city would miss net zero by 20 per cent according to a report presented to councillors yesterday.

Speaking at yesterday's net zero and climate progress monitoring city policy committee, councillor Angus Millar said: "Clearly the report demonstrates the progress that has been made but there is an illustration of what could be done with additional resources. The work the council has begun in leveraging in private sector investment is important and that should continue. But we can all take the opportunity to continue to advocate for more resources from national government to support that transition."

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Committee chair councillor Lana Reid-McConnell said there is "a need for more resources and funding from the Scottish and UK Government".

She said the council's sustainability team has created important plans to get the council to net zero in 2030 with "obviously adequate resources and funding". She said other teams will also be aiding the mission.

An accelerated approach to achieve targets, which needs the £36.8 billion investment, would see a huge shift to electric vehicles, electrification of freight vehicles, the council leading on the development and delivery of heat networks and also a substantial rise in the use of heat pumps.

The alternative ‘projected pathway’ costing £23.5 billion would focus on more walking, cycling, shared public transport and lower use of electricity.
The meeting also heard Glasgow would be unable to plant enough trees to meet its own carbon removal needs.

The report said the local authority would need to look at a “regional or national approach to supporting the development of sequestration opportunities, requiring collaboration with other landowners and local authorities”.

The committee passed a motion for the council to support the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, which aims for a fair phase out of fossil fuels. The decision will go to the council's city administration committee for approval.

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