COMMISSION SEEKS NEW MEMBERS TO HELP PERTH AND KINROSS MAKE THE SHIFT ON CLIMATE CHANGE
SHIFT, the Perth and Kinross Climate Change Commission, is urging local people to get involved in helping make their community a healthier and more sustainable place to grow up, live and do business.
The independent body, which was set up to help Perth and Kinross Council put in place policies to tackle and prevent the damaging impacts of climate change, is advertising for new Commissioners.
SHIFT wants to ensure people from different ages, genders and backgrounds are represented on the Commission so it reflects the real-life priorities of communities across the region.
It is keen to hear from individuals, particularly young people, with a passion and ideas to protect and improve the local environment and communities. No qualifications or expertise on climate science is necessary.
Being a Commissioner involves a small number of in person and online meetings, and individuals can get involved in ways that suit their skills, interests and the time they have available.
It could mean helping organise events, getting involved in campaigns, providing feedback on reports, or sharing ideas on how to make the city, towns and villages in Perth and Kinross more sustainable places.
Acting Commission Chair Nathan Jamieson said: “We’re already seeing climate change affect us locally, damaging our nature and wildlife, pushing up the cost of living, increasing fuel poverty and inequalities, and worsening our health.
“SHIFT gives ordinary people an important voice and an opportunity to influence local decisions. Commissioners can help encourage people in their own community to make what are often simple changes in their daily lives.
“We want people from all ages, genders and backgrounds to join SHIFT as Commissioners. No technical expertise or involvement in other groups is necessary.
“Most of all, we’re interested in people with passion, ideas and a commitment to their community – and we’re particularly keen for young people aged 16 to 25 to get involved.”
People can register their interest in joining SHIFT as a member of the Commission by completing a short online form covering their background, why they would like to join the Commission, and ways in which they could contribute to its objectives.
A link to the online application form is here: www.shift.scot/meet-your-commissioners/register-your-interest/
Closing date 31st July.
Perth and Kinross Climate Change Commission, which was established in 2022, has several key roles. They include:
- Providing a review process of key climate policy and related plans provided by Perth and Kinross Council and other government appointed organisations
- Focusing on the major issues of energy, transport, land use and food, buildings, jobs, skills, and investment in the green economy
- Looking to add value, avoid repetition, and help unlock blockages both within and between organisations involved in climate planning-and-responding, which will enable more effective and consistent climate action
- Identifying gaps in the creation and delivery of policy across organisations active in climate planning and responding
- Acting as a knowledge hub to engage with and inform citizens, communities, businesses and organisations of climate change developments and local plans to address the climate emergency.
- Championing and promoting change to ensure the significant opportunities and benefits of addressing climate change and wider environmental issues are delivered in our region
Further information about SHIFT is available at www.shift.scot
For further information, contact: commissioners@shift.scot