BP signs deal with Aberdeen council to cut climate emissions

Oil firm BP has signed a deal with council leaders in Aberdeen as part of efforts to cut emissions and help it become a “climate-positive city”.

A general view of Union Street in Aberdeen. Picture: Ross Parker/SNS Group

Aberdeen is only the second city in the world after Houston in the US to join forces with the energy company in such an arrangement.

As part of the deal, BP will serve as a planning and technical adviser in the delivery of the local authority’s energy transition strategic infrastructure plan.

The company and the local authority will also explore opportunities for using hydrogen power for transport and heating, while work will take place to increase the fuel efficiency of the council’s fleets of vehicles.

Partnering with countries, cities and industries to help them reduce emissions on the path to net-zero is part of BP’s new strategy, introduced last month.

William Lin, BP executive vice-president for regions, cities and solutions, said: “Over the next decade we expect to partner with 10 to 15 cities globally to provide innovative, integrated and decarbonised energy solutions at scale to help achieve their goals of net zero emissions.

“We are privileged to be the partner for city of Aberdeen on its journey to achieving its carbon reduction ambition.”

He added: “Aberdeen is a leading energy city in the UK and the world, with whom we share a long history.

“We are committed to bringing our capabilities in integrating and developing energy systems coupled with the city’s local knowledge and insights to make a sustainable impact for the citizens of Aberdeen and the surrounding region.”

Council co-leader Jenny Laing said the local authority is “delighted” to be working with BP on “the next phase of Aberdeen’s drive to support local, national and international climate change targets”.

She said: “The council and BP have the same goals in reducing our carbon footprint and working with BP provides a major opportunity for Aberdeen to progress our plans.

“Our operations include areas such as transport, district heating, buildings and waste, while BP is a world leader in energy and has a significant innovation and R&D base for us to draw on and learn from.”

But Scottish Greens environment spokesman Mark Ruskell MSP said: “It’s concerning that a corporation that has made such a massive contribution to causing the climate emergency should be put in charge of tackling it.

“The people of Aberdeen deserve to see bold climate action; this won’t be achieved by cosying up to BP.”