Missed net zero targets added as a risk to council

Highland Council has added a requirement to meet its net zero targets to a register of its corporate risks.

The list already had eight potential threats to the running of the council and its services.

Among the others are the impacts of severe weather, flooding, pandemics and cyber attacks.

The council's net zero targets include reducing the amount of energy its uses for its properties and fleet of vehicles.

In a report to a meeting next week, council officials said the new addition to the register reflected the need for all parts of the local authority to engage with its net zero agenda to ensure targets are met.

Net zero means no longer adding to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Last month, a council report warned of "limited progress" in some areas of Highland Council's effort to achieve net zero.

Officials said one area not progressing as planned was embedding net zero into the council's capital programme, which is its planned investment in buildings, roads and equipment.