SNH reached the 2020 target – a reference to the 2009 Climate Change (Scotland) Act which committed Scotland to a 42% reduction in emissions by 2020 – earlier this year. The organisation has cut its carbon emissions by 49% since 2000.

It achieved this through installation of renewable energy systems in SNH buildings and National Nature Reserves (NNRs), sharing more properties with other bodies, greener vehicles and equipment, and working practices to reduce travel emissions and waste.

Other initiatives included:

• Generating more than one million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable and low-carbon energy from 33 systems at 15 properties;

• Generating more than 112,000 kWh of carbon-free electricity during the first full year of the Creag Meagaidh NNR hydro. This system, in a sensitive and remote mountain location, was shortlisted for the 2014 Scottish Green Energy Awards;

• The biomass system at SNH’s Inverness headquarters generated 149,000 kWh worth of heat at a carbon cost of just six tonnes compared to more than 46 tonnes of CO2 with the old gas heating;

• Producing 30% less waste than three years ago and sending 60% less to landfill.

• Average emissions from the fleet cars have reduced from 133g/km CO2 in 2009 to 104g/km CO2 by 2014 (a 22% reduction), due to proactive purchases & sales.

In addition to reducing emissions, the organisation also supports research into the adaptation and mitigation of wider impacts of climate change including The Dynamic Coast – Scotland’s National Coastal Change Assessment, a research project co-funded with Scottish Government which maps past coastline changes to inform statutory advice, strategic management and adaptation planning across the coastal zone.

Reviewing progress Susan Davies, the SNH chief executive, said: “The strong results of this greening work shows that we are committed to leading by example. It has been possible through both the huge commitment of our staff and appropriate investment in new technologies.

“We are delighted to have exceeded the 42% reduction target five years early. We remain committed to making further reductions in the future, although this will not be without its challenges.

“We now need to show real determination and creativity to achieve our goal of a further 12% emission saving over our next three-year corporate plan (2015-2018). This will keep us on track to meet the 2050 80% carbon reduction target set by government.

“Carbon budgets are the most visible way in which we put emissions reduction into our day to day operations. It is an approach that our staff have actively engaged with and has led to lasting behaviour change.,

“Generating our own energy has avoided emitting 258 tonnes of CO2 each year. That is an important contribution for a middle-sized public body.”

NOTES

In 2011 the Scottish Government published the report Low Carbon Scotland: Meeting the Emissions Reduction Targets 2010-2022. This fulfils the duty placed on Scottish Ministers by Section 35 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, to lay before the Scottish Parliament a Report on Proposals and Policies setting out specific measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to meet Scotland's ambitious statutory targets.

Low Carbon Scotland is centred on the energy supply, homes and communities, business and the public sector, transport, rural land use and waste sectors.

SNH has been leading by example and in helping Government to develop new mandatory reporting tools.

The organisation adopted its ‘Low Carbon Vision’ of SNH in 2020, which guides the planning of work to ensure cutting carbon is core to its activities.

We have shared our experience with government and other public bodies who are keen to adopt more rigorous and meaningful carbon management tools.