Aberdeenshire Council has agreed to develop a dedicated Just Transition plan, called Aberdeenshire’s Fairer Future, to help communities, businesses and workers adapt as the region’s energy economy changes. The decision was taken by the Infrastructure Services Committee on Thursday 1 October.
Why now
Councillors heard that while much work is already under way on economic diversification, skills and community resilience, a clear and coordinated framework is needed. The council says the local economy remains highly exposed to volatile oil and gas markets, geopolitical uncertainty and the long-term decline of the North Sea basin.
What the plan will do
The plan will build on the council’s Community Wealth Building Strategy and bring together work by the council and partners. Priorities include identifying gaps, aligning goals and building a pipeline of projects capable of attracting investment, with a focus on protecting livelihoods and developing skills.
Wider context
The north-east has been at the centre of debate over how quickly Scotland moves away from oil and gas and how jobs can be protected. The council’s plan is at an early stage, and details of specific projects are yet to be set out.
