The Infrastructure Services Committee of Aberdeenshire Council met on Thursday, 1 October 2026, to discuss a range of important issues. Key decisions included the agreement to develop a Just Transition Plan for Aberdeenshire and a progress update on the council's carbon budget for 2026-2027.

Aberdeenshire's Fairer Future - A Plan for a Just Transition

The committee agreed to proceed with the development of Aberdeenshire's Fairer Future, a plan for a just transition, and instructed officers to establish a key stakeholder group to co-design it. This initiative aims to address the economic and societal transformation required as Aberdeenshire navigates the transition from an oil and gas-dependent economy to a low-carbon future. Councillors expressed strong support for the plan, highlighting the vulnerability of the region's economy to the volatility of the oil and gas sector and the need for coordinated action across skills, infrastructure, and community wealth building. Concerns were raised about the pace of transition and the need to ensure that no communities are left behind. The plan will complement existing strategies, including the Regional Economic Strategy and the Community Wealth Building Strategy, and will be place-responsive, tailored to Aberdeenshire's unique rural geography and dispersed communities. A stakeholder group will be formed, including representatives from the Scottish Government Just Transition Unit, GB Energy, universities, businesses, unions, and industry bodies. An integrated impact assessment has been completed, identifying positive impacts on area deprivation, low income, and low wealth, with no negative impacts identified.

Carbon Budget 2026-2027 Progress Update

The committee received a progress update on Aberdeenshire Council's carbon budget for 2026-2027. While estimated carbon savings for the Environment and Infrastructure Services directorate have decreased from 81 to 25 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) due to a lack of capital funding for LED street lighting, the council's overall carbon savings have significantly increased to 2,930 tCO2e. This overall increase is attributed to progress in other directorates and a decrease in the electricity emission factor. Councillors discussed the methodology for calculating net zero, the role of estimations, and the challenges of quantifying savings from nature restoration projects. Concerns were raised about the financial risks associated with not meeting carbon targets and the potential for increased costs if legislative changes are not anticipated. The committee noted the ongoing responsibility of each director to secure further reductions and report progress.

Strategic Transport Update Report

The committee received an update on various strategic transport projects and initiatives across Aberdeenshire. Key points included the approval of terms of reference for a Transportation Member Officer Working Group, progress on expanding the public electric vehicle (EV) charging network, and successful external grant funding for bus infrastructure, road safety, and active travel. Updates were also provided on the Aberdeen Rapid Transit (ART) system, led by Aberdeen City Council, and the publication of the Scottish Government's guidance on Bus Service Improvement Partnerships (BSIPs). The committee agreed that a response to the BSIP consultation would be delegated to the Director of Environment and Infrastructure Services in consultation with the Chair, Vice Chair, and Opposition Spokesperson, and that further reports on establishing a BSIP model would be brought back to a future committee. Discussions also covered the Scottish Government's £2 single fare cap for bus travel, with Aberdeenshire not yet included in the current rollout, and the allocation of £920,237 from Transport Scotland's Road Safety Improvement Fund. The committee noted the progress on various active travel routes, road safety improvements, and the expansion of the EV charging network.

The following items were noted by the committee:

• Minute of Meeting of North East Scotland Agriculture Advisory Group of 3 June 2026
• Minute of Meeting of Waste Management Working Group of 17 December 2025
• Minute of Meeting of North East Scotland Fisheries Development Partnership of 13 March 2026
• Minute of Meeting of Aberdeen City Region Deal of 15 May 2026
• Minute of Meeting of Planning and Economy Member Officer Working Group of 1 December 2025
• Minute of Meeting of Planning and Economy Member Officer Working Group of 27 May 2026