Dundee highlights sustainability commitment with £375m capital programme

A £375 million capital programme for the next five years highlights Dundee City Council’s commitment to slash its carbon footprint and improve the sustainability of its buildings, the local authority said today.

The council is supporting the Scottish Government’s ambitions, through a £3m grant, towards the creation of a hydrogen transport economy and aims to become a pioneering city for the deployment of zero emission mobility and a UK leader in hydrogen transport.

The business case for the project is currently under development, and it is hoped to secure Joint Initiative for Hydrogen Vehicles across Europe 2 (JIVE 2) funding to support the introduction of hydrogen buses and a hydrogen refuelling station.

Dundee City Council’s pioneering use of electric vehicles and investment into charging infrastructure is also contained in an £11.5m sustainable transport proposal.

The capital plan 2020-25 will be discussed at a meeting of the council’s policy & resources committee on Monday February 24.

Councillors will be told that £57m has already been spent over the last three years to tackle climate change. A climate emergency was declared by the council last year and a wide-ranging action plan is now in place as a response.

Initiatives like external wall insulation, energy efficiency measures, photovoltaics, LED streetlights, flood protection measures and commitments for a low emission zone have been carried out.

The new capital plan proposes further spending of £83m for similar projects over the next five years, with further allocations of £25m in future years.

Design of all new buildings will take account of energy efficiencies and carbon reduction measures. Energy conservation measures will also be carried out in council properties to reduce burdens of increasing energy costs.

Council leader Councillor John Alexander said: “Our investment in construction projects across Dundee provides jobs and stimulates the economy. It assists in our drive to make Dundee a smarter, fairer and more sustainable city for all.

“I am keen that our communities feel the benefit of this massive investment in as many ways as possible, while we are making a significant contribution towards tackling the problems of climate change.

“The city enjoys a long track record of innovation in this field with projects like V&A Dundee and the Regional Performance Centre shown how sustainability can be at the heart of major construction programmes.

“We are committed to making Dundee a sustainable city and we cannot be complacent.

“That is why I am keen that our capital plan can help to lay the foundations for the future.”