Scotland lights up in support of climate action ahead of COP26

Scottish Government campaign shines a light on positive action being taken across society

As Scotland prepares for the arrival of COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference, businesses, organisations and individuals from all across Scotland are coming together to shine a light on the climate action and nature conservation being taken in their local communities and call on others to join them in making the changes needed for the country to reach net zero by 2045.

The COP26 summit is the most urgent ever held and the best chance of securing global action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. The twin crises of climate change and nature loss are the greatest threats facing people and the planet and are already impacting communities throughout Scotland.

As all eyes will be on Scotland, a new national poll has revealed that many people across the country now recognise the need to play their part and that improving climate awareness and understanding the support available, remains vital for helping people to make changes. 

The YouGov poll, commissioned by the Scottish Government, asked adults living in Scotland if they were planning to make future changes to their lifestyle to help tackle climate change.

Almost half (46%) of the Scottish public said they were already planning to make changes and the poll also highlighted that 20% said they were unsure on how to make changes. A third (34%) of adults surveyed said that they have no plans to make any future lifestyle changes.

The Scottish Government’s Let Do Net Zero campaign aims to provide the necessary information and support to help more people make the changes needed across all levels of society and showcases inspiring examples of businesses, enterprises, community groups and individuals leading the way.

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson said, “Scotland was one of the first countries to declare a climate emergency, and as a nation we have already made great progress in tackling climate change. We have halved Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions, and we are determined to reach net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045.

“Ending our contribution to the climate emergency within a generation will require transformational change across all parts of the economy and society. This campaign seeks to shine a light on the positive action taking place right across the country to inspire greater action and the Scottish Government will play its part to support people in Scotland to make these changes.”

To demonstrate the role that individuals and communities can play in reaching net zero, a sustainable, glowing zero artwork will be touring Scotland’s cities and shining a light on projects across Scotland that are already bringing people together to create change and support their communities.

The glowing zero landed at its first stop with Edinburgh Castle as its backdrop and shone a light on the community tool-sharing hub, Edinburgh Tool Library. The Library supplies a service that allows members to borrow tools as and when they need them, without spending money on seldom-used tools that have a large carbon footprint.

Environmental Scientist and climate activist Laura Young (Less Waste Laura) is an advocate for encouraging people to adopt a more environmentally conscious lifestyle and will be taking part in the blue zone at COP26.

Joining the Edinburgh Tool Library in the glowing zero today, she said: “There is so much good work happening and momentum has really grown in recent years, and this is hugely encouraging. But everyone needs to keep playing their part to drive real change and help Scotland reach net zero.

“We are already used to doing some things that help combat climate change, such as food waste recycling, but there may be things that people have not even considered such as making sure their gardens help biodiversity or repairing and reusing their clothes and homewares rather than throwing them away. Every ounce of carbon that we save adds up to help get us to net zero.”

Chris Hellawell, founder & director at Edinburgh Tool Library, said, “COP26 represents our last chance as a planet to legislate on a scale that can minimise the harm we have already caused, and plan a way forward that allows people to prosper without increasing the burden we put on nature.

“This is why the work Edinburgh Tool Library does is so important. We already have many of the things we “need” in our community, we just don’t have access to them. Sharing libraries open up these resources to the whole community and give us all access to more items without an associated impact on the environment. The bonus is we also save money. We all share a planet, let’s start sharing what’s on it.”

To find information on how to take action, make changes and the support available visit, www.netzeronation.scot