Sustainable Recovery

Our aim is to exploit the synergy between two linked priorities: Orkney’s economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and combatting the climate emergency. 

Our target outcomes are:

• A demonstrable upturn in Orkney’s economy, supported through co-ordination and implementation of the ASPIRE Orkney action plan.
• A 'Just Transition' towards a well-being economy with a focus on climate change, fair work, and diversity.
• Measurable progress towards Scotland’s target of net zero emissions by 2045.
• An adaptation strategy to protect our citizens, businesses, habitats and wildlife from the effects of climate change.

The Chair of this group is Graham Neville, NatureScot.

This page includes a selection of information from the Orkney Community Plan 2021-23, incorporating the Local Outcomes Improvement Plan (LOIP)

Our plans for Sustainable Recovery

There is already considerable work taking place to address sustainable recovery, 
which is being undertaken by various groups and partner agencies. These are 
the main areas of activity through which the Sustainable Recovery Delivery Group will contribute:

• The ASPIRE Orkney strategy: this is our blueprint for Orkney’s economic recovery from the pandemic. Full details of the strategy, action plan, projects and progress, along with other resources, can be found the ASPIRE Orkney website.

• The Climate Emergency: In May 2021, Orkney Partnership Board adopted an action plan to combat the climate emergency and improve Orkney’s resilience to climate change, with these aims:

  • Increase active travel opportunities in order to reduce emissions and provide health, equitable access and wellbeing benefits. 

  • Collaborate on zero/low emission fleet and install more electric vehicle charging points across Orkney, including the isles. 

  • Promote the case for new lower carbon ferries. 

  • Optimise uptake of the Renewable Heat Incentive and other schemes which both decarbonise and address fuel poverty, alongside generating 

  • investment in green recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. 

  • Establish a baseline of emissions amongst Partnership members with a view to creating a single shared target for the Partnership in line with the trajectory required to reach Net Zero by 2045. 

  • Establish a Climate Adaptation Plan for Orkney

Measuring progress in Sustainable Recovery

The indicators below have been selected to show how well we are progressing towards the outcomes we want for Sustainable Recovery in Orkney. They do not evaluate directly the actions of any particular partner or group, but they indicate whether collective local and national action is moving us in the right direction.

In view of the longer perspective taken by the Sustainable Recovery Delivery Group, we have included five-year targets for the indicators in this section. For CO2 emissions, different bodies and sectors have varying timescales to reach Net Zero. 2045 is the Scottish Government’s target, while the Islands Centre for Net Zero is aiming for 2030 for Orkney overall.