The local authority’s decarbonisation plans began in early February when the council transitioned from using diesel to HVO fuel to power 18 of their refuse collection vehicles, in line with the Scottish Government’s aims of achieving net zero by 2045.

Cllr Richard Watters, convener of Perth and Kinross Council's Climate Change and Sustainability Committee, said: ‘There is already fantastic work underway in Perth and Kinross with many of our bin lorries now running on HVO instead of diesel. Although this is a more expensive fuel, it is already significant reducing our CO2 emissions.’

Due to the fleet’s significant reduction in CO2 emissions, which are estimated to decrease by 500 tonnes per year following the fuel transition, the council has decided to make the switch to HVO fuel at four further depots: Blairgowrie, Crieff, Kinross, and Pitlochry.

To advance their decarbonisation strategy further, the local authority is set to swap the small cars and vans in its fleet for electric vehicles, as well as investing in charging equipment to maintain them.

‘Expanding this scheme, and remaining alert to other new technologies will help us meet our net zero targets and reduce pollution in Perth and Kinross’, Cllr Richard Watters added.

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