Real progress is being achieved in sustainable action across the Council area but more needs to be done to meet national targets.

Members at today's Environment and Community Safety Committee heard of progress made on the delivery of the Sustainable Falkirk Strategy which in the last five years has made a significant impact across the Falkirk Council area.

Now the Council has successfully applied for Carbon Trust Status to mark its continued commitment to CO₂ reduction. And it will also have its first experience of buying and trading carbon permits in a bid to further reduce greenhouse gases.

Councillor Craig R Martin, Depute Convener of the Environment and Community Safety Committee said: "I passionately believe in making Falkirk a more sustainable place so future generations can enjoy what we have.

"Over the years we have put sustainability at the heart of everything we do as a local authority. This can be demonstrated by our success in terms of increasing recycling rates, cutting carbon emissions, promoting green travel and improving the local environment for our communities.

"We now have to continue with the work already underway but also address the serious issue of climate change. As individuals we all have a part to play in reducing carbon emissions but the Council as a large organisation and employer is in a good position to deliver change. We all must do what we can to ensure a bright outlook for future generations."

The next twelve months will see the introduction of a duty on public bodies to take action to help achieve national greenhouse gas reduction targets and prepare for the impact of climate change.

The Sustainability Action Plan has made significant progress over the last five years which includes:

• A 5% reduction in fuel used by the Council's fleet
• Staff travel mileage by car decreased by 2%
• The award winning Carbon Crusader campaign led to £160k in savings over an 18 month period
• A recycling and composting rate of 42% for Municipal Solid Waste for 2009/10
• Take the Right Route, a sustainable travel campaign in Larbert and Stenhousemuir producing 8,309 personal travel plans for residents
• Core Paths Plan which includes 435km of paths throughout the Council area
• A sustainable flood management pilot project at the RSPB reserve at Skinflats.

The current Sustainable Falkirk Strategy will be updated in 2011 and a corporate climate change strategy produced.