The Climate, Environment & Biodiversity Committee is being asked to approve the Dundee Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) following a public consultation on its draft form.

The LHEES sets out a strategic approach to the decarbonisation of heating and the improvement of energy efficiency in the city’s buildings, while identifying areas of the city which have the potential for heat networks.

Climate, Environment & Biodiversity Committee convener, Councillor Heather Anderson, said: “We know that in order to reach net zero by 2045 and tackle climate change, we have to burn less fossil fuels.

“In order to reduce emissions, we have to firstly make Dundee’s buildings and homes more energy efficient and move from fossil fuel heating, like natural gas, to renewable heat technologies.

“It’s a massive task, but this strategy is an important first step in clarifying the scale of the task ahead and identifying the pathways to meeting these targets.

“The strategy, and subsequent Delivery Plan to come, provides the whole of our city with an opportunity to achieve Net Zero while also making homes warmer, healthier to live in as well as helping to tackle fuel poverty in the process too.”

Fair Work, Economic Growth & Infrastructure convener, Councillor Steven Rome, added: “The Strategy lays out an ambitious plan for Dundee which requires a wide-ranging city response. By establishing a cross-service LHEES Governance Group, it will bring together the necessary expertise and help to ensure the Strategy’s collective actions and priorities are carried out in an efficient manner.”

Neighbourhood Regeneration, Housing & Estate Management convener, Councillor Mark Flynn, said: “A fabric first approach with the adaptation of existing homes will play an important part in achieving the aims set out. The LHEES identifies that Housing Associations, landlords, homeowners, and other public bodies can bring meaningful improvements to the energy efficiency of the city’s housing stock by implementing near-term measures such as heating system replacements and fabric retrofitting of properties.”

If the plans are approved at the Committee meeting on Monday 22nd April, a detailed LHEES Delivery Plan will be brought before councillors in Autumn this year.

Local authorities across Scotland are obliged to produce an LHEES following the introduction of the Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (Scotland) Order 2022.