Highland councillor becomes president of international group to safeguard environment
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A Highland councillor was elected president of an international environmental organisation at its last AGM last week.
Councillor Trish Robertson will take on the top role for KIMO International, a group aiming to unite local governments to prevent pollution and protect the seas and coastal waters of the North-East Atlantic and Baltic regions.
Mrs Robertson will take over from outgoing president Jerry Ahlström.
Commenting on her appointment, she said: “The oceans and rivers are important to all our lives. It is important we act on issues that affect the health of the seas. Information on the dangers of waste to our marine life are well publicised and we need more awareness of the implications for human health. It is a privilege to take up this post and I look forward to promoting KIMO international over my tenure.”
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The UK branch of KIMO (an acronym for the Danish Kommunernes International Miljøorganisation, which translates to Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation) was formed in 1991 shortly after its international counterpart.
Their work involves municipalities coming together to collaboratively promote healthy seas, clean beaches and thriving coastal communities.
Councillor Ken Gowans, chair of the economy and infrastructure committee, commented: “I’m delighted that Trish has taken up the role of KIMO International President. This is good news for Highland and further strengthens our knowledge and relationships with many municipalities from the North Sea Regions. Trish’s presidency helps to place Highland at the very forefront of the current environmental and sustainable issues, and to bring together experts to develop our understanding that can steer our approach, bring tangible benefits for everyone. Trish has worked hard for this and has my full support in the her new position.”
This year’s conference theme was “From Source To Sea”, with attendees seeing presentations on pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and nutrients in water among other themes.
Other presentations and interactive workshops went on to explore options for the removal of such substances from waterways, with PFAS posing a particular problem across KIMO’s member municipalities.
Conference delegates also had the opportunity to join an excursion along the River Ätran in Southern Sweden, where a pioneering decade-long project has been established to allow salmon and eels to pass the hydro-power dam more easily on their way to spawning grounds.
At its heart, the project aims to restore ecosystems and populations of numerous migrating fish species in the river, with analysis and sampling continuing to illustrate the success of the measures implemented.
