PLANS to make West Dunbartonshire Council a ‘net zero emissions’ authority within the next 25 years have been set out.

The council has published a strategy which includes energy efficiency improvements, cutting waste and reducing vehicle emissions, as well as giving more consideration to the environmental impact, as well as the social and economic effect, of all the council’s activities.

The local authority says it has already reduced emissions by 26 per cent since 2012-13, and that it wants to achieve net zero emissions by 2045.

Unveiling the new strategy, Dumbarton councillor Iain McLaren, convener of infrastructure, regeneration and economic development, said: “It is vital that we take action now and play our part in the global effort to reduce the impacts of climate change, and I am pleased to see that as a council, we are taking our role very seriously by introducing this strategy.”

To meet the net zero target by 2045, the council will aim to achieve a 3.5 per reduction in carbon emissions each year, dropping to an annual reduction of 2.5 per in 2030.

The strategy will focus on areas including housing, waste, sustainable travel, sustainable procurement, schools and education, communities and health, and biodiversity, landscape and greenspace.

An action plan will be developed and brought back to a future meeting.

The strategy and action plan will be reviewed annually, with an updated strategy being published every five years.

Councillor Marie McNair, vice convener of infrastructure, regeneration and economic development, added: "The plan outlined in this strategy will allow us continue making progress on tackling climate change locally as well as supporting national and global aims.”