Oil and gas doyen Sir Ian Wood has urged the public and private sectors to work collectively and quickly to ensure “meaningful progress” is made while responding to the climate change emergency.
At the end of January, north-east economic development body Opportunity North East (One), revealed plans for an Energy Transition Zone (ETZ) to drive the delivery of net-zero solutions.
One say the concept has had “significant support” from the private sector and local and national government.
After the publication of the proposed Aberdeen Local Development Plan 2020 by the council, One chairman Sir Ian said he is now urging stakeholders to unite around the region’s response to the climate emergency.
One believes the policy for the ETZ, outlined in the proposed Local Development Plan, will help to realise Scotland and the UK’s net-zero targets.
They also claim the ETZ will make a significant contribution to Aberdeen’s economy as it transitions and diversifies to a broader energy focus.
He said: “This is an important moment for the city. The region is one of the first in the UK to put forward plans that demonstrate a proactive response to what is a climate crisis.
“Our region is faced with a transformational opportunity to make a significant contribution to realising net-zero targets and secure the future for our local economy and future generations. The future is in our hands.”
It is hoped the ETZ will use the region’s energy expertise to help transition to net-zero, to fast-track the development and deployment of offshore wind, hydrogen, and carbon capture, usage and storage, and increase the pace and scale of investment in the north-east’s existing, fast-growing integrated energy cluster.
One say there will also be opportunities for local people, including communities in Torry and Cove, to engage with the ETZ proposal.