Council chiefs want your views on how to help the environment after declaring a climate change emergency in North Ayrshire.

And it is hoped that the decision, made at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, June 11, will help to raise awareness of the threats of climate change, stimulate debate and issue a collective call to action to combat the rise in global temperatures.

It will now initiate public consultation, with a focus on engaging young people on the next steps needed to tackle climate change in North Ayrshire.

It is proposed that the consultation, titled ‘Climate Change: Just Cool It’, will be launched online in August of this year and promoted in early years centres, primary and secondary schools and further education establishments across North Ayrshire, as well as by schools, Youth Services, MSYPs, community councils and locality partnerships.

Councillor Jim Montgomerie, Cabinet Member for Place, said: “While we have worked hard to reduce North Ayrshire’s carbon footprint, there is more to be done and raising awareness is a crucial part of that. Our young people are more engaged than ever when it comes to environmental issues, and I look forward to hearing their views.”

North Ayrshire Council has been pro-active in tackling climate change, with its first Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy (ESCCS) published in 2014 and updated in 2017.

ESCCS included a goal to achieve a 40 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, with progress currently ahead of schedule.

The council has delivered almost 10MW of installed renewable or low-carbon energy generation through their solar retrofit programme, biomass retrofit programme and landfill gas recovery schemes, as well as replacing over 60 per cent of street lighting with more energy efficient LED lighting.

A car club scheme was introduced to reduce emissions associated with staff business travel through the provision of low and zero carbon vehicles, and support has also been given to primary schools, reducing energy consumption by 270 MWh and encouraging low carbon behaviours.

Consultation will now be initiated with a view to preparing the next ESCCS, in 2021, as soon as possible.