Alison Hay: Renewables are a massive opportunity for councils

Scotland's councils have shown leadership on climate change issues. Building upon the 2008 Scottish Climate Change Declaration, all local authorities have been producing annual monitoring statements.

But, until recently, we have been restricted by law in the role we could play in low-carbon energy production.

These restrictions have been lifted and councils are now considering how we can directly contribute to Scotland's renewable electricity generation target. With the new Scottish Government raising this to the equivalent of 100 per cent of Scotland's annual demand, we believe that maximising the use of publicly owned assets will make a significant contribution.

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Opportunities for micro-generation electricity, and heat generation include solar panels on public buildings and social housing; anaerobic digestion of food waste; hydro schemes in rivers; and small-scale wind farms on land.

But we will need partners. So, after this week's All-Energy event in Aberdeen, local authorities are inviting the energy industry and public, private and community partners back to the city on 21 June for Scotland's first conference exploring the use of public sector assets in delivering commercial renewables projects.

Participation from all 32 councils covering economic development, sustainable development, energy and estate management attending 'Empowering Scotland' underlines our commitment. Cosla has asked the Scottish Futures Trust to report on funding and procuring projects with the private sector. There will be presentations detailing initiatives from Scotland, the UK and Europe.

Only by working together will new jobs and green growth be stimulated. This can lead to avoiding current costs and/or generating additional funds to support services as council budgets are cut.

This would be a real win-win for councils, private companies and local communities.

• Alison Hay is environment, sustainability and community safety spokesperson for Cosla, the local government body.