SCOTTISH Borders Council has outlined its two “fundamental” roles ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference.

The environmental conference, also known as COP26, will be held in Glasgow next November.

In the most recent full council meeting, councillors discussed their role in the Borders to support the global event.

The executive member for sustainable development, Sandy Aitchison, said “the eyes of the world will be on Scotland”, adding how the Borders will contribute.

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“COP26 will be the biggest summit the UK has ever hosted and is being described as being the most significant climate event since the 2015 Paris Agreement,” said Mr Aitchison, a representative for Galashiels.

“The council is responding to the climate emergency report agreed in September, which identified the council as having two fundamental responsibilities in this area.

“One, to deliver a comprehensive reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and climate adaptation across the council and its organisations.

“Two, provide leadership to enforce climate action across the Scottish Borders region.

“COP26 provides an opportunity to manifest the council’s commitment to action on climate change, both in its organisations’ responses and in its leadership role for the Scottish Borders.”

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Tweeddale West councillor Heather Anderson said the COP26 event was a “good opportunity to showcase good practices” in the Borders.

“We should talk to young people throughout our schools to ask them what action they think we should take,” she said.

“It might be a great opportunity for every pupil in the Scottish Borders to plant a tree.”

In his response, Mr Aitchison said that senior pupils at Gala Academy, Peebles High and Stow are already planting trees, or have plans to in the future.

“All these schools are already working on their own agenda and we support every one of them,” he said.

“I think it is a credit to these children and the young people of the Scottish Borders that every time I pick up the local press, I see wonderful stories about what they are doing for the environment.”