Thumbs up as top chef launches Children’s Breakfast fundraiser

MasterChef winner Gary Maclean faced the toughest judging panel of his career as he joined STV weather presenter Sean Batty at the launch of the Big Scottish Breakfast, an annual STV Children’s Appeal fundraising event supporting children and young people affected by poverty in Scotland. Continue reading Thumbs up as top chef launches Children’s Breakfast fundraiser

Garden of Growth helps students beat exam stress

EDINBURGH Napier has created a calm green space on all three city campuses to help students beat exam stress.

A Garden of Growth has been set up at Sighthill, Craiglockhart and Merchiston to lift spirits and share positivity during testing times at the business end of the academic year.

With the exam period now under way, the colourful stalls enable students to take a break from the books and build their own plant against a backdrop of motivational messages about growth, development and blossoming.

Students, and staff, who also find exam time challenging, are urged to grab a pot, soil and a wild flower seed bomb, add an inspiring message and take their gift home to grow.

Going greener, faster: Scotland to set world-leading climate change targets

Scotland will stop contributing to climate change within a generation under new, tougher climate change proposals. Amendments to the Climate Change Bill have been lodged to set a legally binding target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 at the latest with Scotland becoming carbon neutral by 2040.

The existing targets proposed in the Bill were already world-leading. In response to calls from young people, scientists and businesses across the country, Scottish Ministers have adopted the advice of independent experts, the UK Climate Change Committee.

This means that in addition to the net-zero target for 2045, Scotland will reduce emissions by 70% by 2030 and 90% by 2040 – the most ambitious statutory targets in the world for these years.

The Committee’s recommended targets for Scotland are contingent on the UK adopting a net-zero greenhouse gas emission target for 2050.

Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “There is a global climate emergency and people across Scotland have been calling, rightly, for more ambition to tackle it and safeguard our planet for future generations.

“Having received independent, expert advice that even higher targets are now possible, and given the urgency required on this issue, I have acted immediately to set a target for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions for 2045 which will see Scotland become carbon neutral by 2040.

“I have been consistently clear that our targets must be ambitious, credible and responsible. We must take an evidence-based approach and balance our climate, economic and social responsibilities. We have already halved greenhouse gas emissions from Scotland while growing the economy, so we know we can do it. I am committed to meeting the most ambitious targets possible, and doing so while continuing to build an inclusive and fair economy.

“Every single one of us now needs to take more action – not just the Scottish Government but also all businesses, schools, communities, individuals and organisations. The UK Government must also act.

The Committee on Climate Change say that Scotland’s ability to meet these world-leading targets is contingent on the UK Government also accepting their advice and using the relevant policy levers that remain reserved. As such, I call on the UK Government to follow our lead, accept the Committee’s advice, and work with us to achieve this goal.

“We can, and we must, end our contribution to climate change. I invite everyone to accept the advice we’ve received and work with us in a just and fair transition to a net-zero economy.”

 

 

Benefits delivery set to get much tougher, says spending watchdog

The Scottish Government has done a good job of delivering its first set of devolved benefits, but the real challenge is still to come, spending watchdog Audit Scotland warns in a report published today. Continue reading Benefits delivery set to get much tougher, says spending watchdog

Call for communities to apply for Environmental Grants

Action Earth campaign launched at North Edinburgh Arts

The Action Earth campaign, run by national charity Volunteering Matters, launched its 2019 grant giving scheme yesterday with the creation of a new biodiversity pond in North Edinburgh.  The campaign, which is funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, offers easy to access grants of up to £250 for environmental activities across Scotland. Continue reading Call for communities to apply for Environmental Grants

Edinburgh’s Housing Market Banishes Brexit Blues

WITH TEMPERATURES rising in the capital, property market activity among both buyers and sellers is continuing to hit record levels.  According to Warners Solicitors & Estate Agents, activity is at its highest since the ‘credit crunch’, and shows few signs of slowing down despite the prospect of Brexit. Continue reading Edinburgh’s Housing Market Banishes Brexit Blues