Delivering a fair and secure net zero energy system
A strategy to drive Scotland’s fair and just transition away from fossil fuels will be published by next Summer.
Energy Minister Gillian Martin announced the timeline as the consultation responses to the draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, and independent analysis of those responses, were published.
The responses, and continued engagement with a range of interested parties including industry, the Just Transition Commission and the Scottish Energy Advisory Board, will inform the finalised strategy.
Stressing the importance of reaching net zero in a way that spreads the benefits and costs of energy decarbonisation fairly, Ms Martin re-iterated calls for the UK Government to do more to accelerate investment, reform markets and ensure benefits flow to communities.
Ms Martin said: “Delivering on our climate obligations with an unwavering commitment to a fair and just journey to net zero is an absolute priority for the Scottish Government.
“The consultation confirmed broad support for our vision and highlighted the importance of providing policy certainty to enable investment in skills, infrastructure and technologies. We will now publish our Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan by next Summer, setting out how we intend to create a net zero energy system that delivers affordable, secure and clean energy while benefiting communities across Scotland by providing high quality jobs and economic opportunities.
“We believe that all future extraction of fossil fuels must be subject to strict climate compatibility and energy security tests. Our focus is on meeting our energy security needs, reducing emissions and delivering affordable energy supplies, whilst ensuring a just transition for our oil and gas workforce as North Sea resources decline.”
EDINBURGH Napier student Michael Suttie has received the Leidos Best Engineering Prize for developing an application to help amateur and entry-level drivers improve lap times in F1 e-sports.
34th annual awards Young Software Engineer of the Year Awards champion Scotland’s most innovative and creative tech students
Dundee University Student from Isle of Eigg earns top award for developing a solution that offers greater accuracy in mapping the moon’s surface
Two runners-up recognised for projects involving AI and coding
Best Engineering Prize winner uses real-life Formula 1 data to improve amateur and entry-level drivers’ F1 e-sports performance
A Dundee University student has been named Young Software Engineer of the Year for his solution which illustrates what unexplored areas of the moon might look like.
The 34th annual Young Software Engineer of the Year Awards took place in a ceremony in Edinburgh yesterday evening (28th September) hosted by Scotland’s tech trade body ScotlandIS at its ScotSoft conference.
Struan Robertson, originally from the Isle of Eigg in the Scottish Inner Hebrides, took the top prize home for his project on Lunar Terrain Void Infilling.
Models of the moon’s surface typically show literal gaps in knowledge from where spacecrafts have not been able to see the surface. Struan’s project used a machine learning model to make incredibly accurate assumptions to fill in these gaps, solving an ongoing issue in lunar surface modelling. This innovative solution allows for more accurate maps of the moon’s surface to be developed and is also applicable to earth-based challenges such as disaster management and climate change planning.
The judges recognised the challenging technical complexity of this project, and admired Struan’s creative yet structured approach to the problem, and his real achievements in demonstrating a successful outcome.
The awards recognised a further three students for their outstanding work.
Enrique Martin Ocana, of Strathclyde University, was named runner up for his use of autoregressive language models in the classroom. The project considered the comparative effectiveness of traditional educational content, versus content generated by AI (Artificial Intelligence). He impressed judges by clearly articulating both the contributions and drawbacks of AI generated content in an educational setting.
Aberdeen University student, William Brown, was a runner up with his automatic code reviewer recommendations in the open-source project, MediaWiki. Code review is a critical element in open-source developments, and William compared the success of using a rule-based system to select the reviewer or using a neural network to perform the recommendations.
The Leidos Best Engineering Prize was awarded to Michael Suttie, of Edinburgh Napier University. Michael developed a prototype telemetry application with practical uses in Formula 1 e-sports.
His application presents both live and historical real-life Formula 1 telemetry data in a simplified way to help amateur and entry-level drivers improve lap times in F1 e-sports.
Karen Meechan, CEO at ScotlandIS, said:“Each year we are amazed at the amount of young talent coming through our universities, showcasing true innovation by producing creative solutions to solve real-world problems.
“These awards are a fantastic way for us to showcase the exceptional technological minds, cultivated right here in Scotland, as they begin their transitions into the workplace.
“It’s ever more important to acknowledge and foster emerging talent to ensure that our tech sector in Scotland continues to flourish. Our industry needs to constantly evolve with skilled people staying ahead of the curve – especially with the growth of AI. This year’s winners really demonstrate how original thinking and a flair for software engineering can transform our understanding of and aptitude in wide-ranging subjects – congratulations to all!”
The longstanding Young Software Engineer of the Year Awards are held annually by ScotlandIS, to champion budding talent in the Scottish technology industry and highlight the innovation and ideas coming from Scotland’s university students.
To enter, universities submit the best final year software engineering project from among their undergraduate computing science and software engineering courses for the awards.
Other shortlisted students included Mads Bendixen, Abertay University, Jack Duffy, Glasgow Caledonian University, Laura Schauer, Heriot Watt University and Irvyn Hall, Robert Gordon University.
++ Protests in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and across UK call on Rishi Sunak to reverse the decision to drill ++
Rishi Sunak is accused of ‘an act of vandalism’ in approving the huge Rosebank oil field, as campaigners protest around the country against the decision.
On Wednesday, the UK Government gave permission to Equinor, the Norwegian state-backed oil company, to develop Rosebank, which is the UK’s largest undeveloped oil and gas field off the coast of Shetland.
Stop Rosebank protests will take place around the country, including in Edinburgh – where campaigners will rally outside the UK Government building – as well as Aberdeen, London, Sheffield and Cambridge. A protest is also happening today (Friday 29 September) outside the headquarters of Equinor in Oslo, Norway.
Edinburgh 16th September 2023.
Campaigners march through Edinburgh to demand a fair and fast transition away from fossil fuels as part of a Global Day of Action.
Neil Hanna
www.neilhannaphotography.co.uk
07702 246823
Stop Rosebank campaigner, Lauren MacDonald said: “This is nothing but a destructive and pointless act of vandalism by Rishi Sunak. Rosebank will not increase energy security or do anything to lower fuel bills.
“Rosebank’s oil mostly belongs to Norway, and the majority will be shipped abroad and then sold back to us at market price. It will, though, exacerbate the climate crisis, which is behind the temperature rises, wildfires and flooding we’re seeing around the world.
“The oil and gas lobbyists and Conservative Party donors invested in fossil fuels attending this week’s party conference will no doubt be delighted with this decision. But handing over billions in tax breaks for oil for export makes zero sense to the millions of ordinary people in this country who can’t afford their heating bills.”
Friends of the Earth Scotland’s head of campaigns, Mary Church said: “The UK government’s reckless decision to approve Rosebank completely disregards all credible climate science and risks keeping households locked in to expensive, polluting fossil fuels for even longer.
“People can see and feel the mounting evidence of climate breakdown and they know that pouring fuel on the fire will only worsen the extreme weather we’re enduring.
“Stop Rosebank protests this weekend will show that we will keep fighting together for a liveable future, and for a fast and fair transition away from oil and gas. Our collective dream of a safe future for all is even more powerful than the destructive fossil fuel industry’s greed for profit.”
DETAILS OF THE PROTESTS
Protests will take place at the following locations and times on Saturday 30 September:
London: 12pm at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, 3 Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2AW. Protestors will march to the Norwegian Embassy, 25 Belgrave Square London SW1X 8QD.
Edinburgh: 4pm outside the Queen Elizabeth building at 1 Sibbald Walk in Edinburgh EH8 8FT. Rally and speeches outside the building
Aberdeen: 12.30pm at the North Sea Transition Authority, 1 Marischal Square, Aberdeen, AB10 1BL
Liverpool: 10.30am outside Barclays Bank, 48-50 Lord Street, Liverpool, L21TD
Sheffield: 2-4pm at the Town Hall, Pinstone Street, Sheffield, S1 2HH
Huddersfield: 10.30-11.30am at St George’s Square, Outside railway station, Huddersfield, HD1 1JB
Todmorden: 1-2pm at Todmorden Town Hall, Bridge Street, Todmorden, OL14 5AQ Cambridge: 12.30pm at Senate House, Trinity Street, Cambridge, CB2 1SZ
Bristol: 1pm at College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TR
Oxford: 12pm at Carfax Tower, Queen St, Oxford, OX1 1ET. Note: this protest is on Sunday 1 October
MESS by Tenterhooks visited children at Oaklands School on Monday as part of the National Theatre of Scotland and Imaginate’s Theatre in Schools Scotland programme.
MESS by Tenterhooks visits children at Oaklands School, Edinburgh as part of the National Theatre of Scotland and Imaginate’s Theatre in Schools Scotland programme.
Suzie Ferguson and Diane ThorntonMESS by Tenterhooks visits children at Oaklands School, Edinburgh as part of the National Theatre of Scotland and Imaginate’s Theatre in Schools Scotland programme.
Diane ThorntonMESS by Tenterhooks visits children at Oaklands School, Edinburgh as part of the National Theatre of Scotland and Imaginate’s Theatre in Schools Scotland programme.
Diane ThorntonMESS by Tenterhooks visits children at Oaklands School, Edinburgh as part of the National Theatre of Scotland and Imaginate’s Theatre in Schools Scotland programme.
Kerry ClelandMESS by Tenterhooks visits children at Oaklands School, Edinburgh as part of the National Theatre of Scotland and Imaginate’s Theatre in Schools Scotland programme.
No let-up – the devastating decline of our wildlife continues
The results are in, and they make grim reading. The latest State of Nature report shows that much of the wildlife in the UK and its Overseas territories is in serious trouble.
In Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) 1,500 species are now at risk of being lost completely.
In Northern Ireland, 281 face a similar fate if we don’t take action.
But there is reason for hope. We’ve never had a better understanding of the state of nature and what is needed to fix it.
Nature reality check
The State of Nature report is the most up-to-date and accurate picture we have of how nature is doing in the UK and its Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It brings together information from more than 60 research and conservation organisations collected by thousands of skilled volunteers.
Wildlife at risk of extinction in Great Britain
The report’s findings show that one in six (16%) of the over ten thousand species studied in Great Britain are at risk of becoming extinct. That’s almost 1,500 species which could disappear. In Northern Ireland, 281 species could be lost.
A closer look at Great Britain shows that the figure is much higher for some types of wildlife. We could lose:
43% of birds
31% of amphibians and reptiles
28% of fungi and lichens
26% of land mammals
This includes much loved species such as Turtle Dove, Water Vole and European Eel.
Fewer flowers and hoverflies
Many plants are vanishing from places where they were previously found, including more than half (54%) of flowering plants, such as Heather and Harebell.
Invertebrate species are found, on average, in 13% fewer places now than in 1970. There have been stronger declines in some insect groups with important roles, such as pollinators like bees and hoverflies.
Degraded habitats
Today, only one in seven (14%) of the UK’s important habitats for wildlife were found to be in good condition, with only 7% of our woodland and only 25% of peatlands making the grade. The way we fish means large areas of the seafloor around the UK are not in good condition.
The reasons behind nature’s decline
The report found the changes in the way we manage our land for farming, and climate change were the biggest causes of wildlife decline on our land, rivers and lakes. At sea, and around our coasts, it was as a result of unsustainable fishing, climate change and marine development.
The State of Nature report focuses on recent changes in biodiversity but we’ve been shaping our landscapes and wildlife for thousands of years. The UK’s nature has been depleted by centuries of habitat loss, development and persecution well before our data gathering began in 1970. The report shows evidence that the UK now has less than half of its biodiversity remaining because of human activity.
Reasons for hope
Some things are improving. There are now more sustainably managed woodlands (44%), and sustainably harvested fish stocks (50%) than there were 20 years ago. But there’s still a long way to go.
The support for nature-friendly farming has also increased, as has the number of farmland schemes which are designed to benefit the environment. But at the moment the best available information suggests that nature-friendly farming needs to take place at a much wider scale to halt the decline in farmland wildlife.
The report also includes examples of how wildlife conservation projects can make a huge difference, such as the creation of the Marine Protected Area in Lyme Bay, southern England. Here many species have increased since trawling was banned in 2008. Ongoing restoration projects, such as for peatland and seagrass beds, are helping to stem declines while also helping us mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Much work to be done
Despite these wins, the report shows that time is running out if we’re going to see nature recover in the UK and its Overseas Territories. The report says the scale and ambition of our efforts need to be ramped up and delivered on a much bigger scale, with nature’s recovery firmly cemented into the laws and policies which shape how we manage our land and seas. We have never had a better understanding of the State of Nature and what is needed to fix it.
Read the full report
We’ve given you the key findings, but there’s much more detail in the full report on how our wildlife and wild places are doing and what needs to be done to help nature recover
A man has been jailed for four years and three months after being convicted of a sexual offence in Edinburgh.
Antonio Pollio, 24, pleaded guilty to the offence involving a young female at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday, 21 August, 2023. He was sentenced at the same court yesterday (Thursday, 28 September).
Detective Inspector Mhairi Cooper said: “Antonio Pollio is a dangerous man who manipulated and coerced a young female. He will now face the consequences of his actions.
“We treat all reports of sexual crime seriously and I would urge anyone who has been a victim to come forward, no matter how much time has passed, and report it to police.
“Be assured, we will fully investigate and you will be supported by police and our partner agencies.”
The National Galleries of Scotland is delighted to announce that the stunning new Scottish galleries at the National will open to the public this Saturday (30 September 2023).
Ahead of the public opening local children joined National Galleries of Scotland Director General, Sir John Leighton, Chief Curator Patricia Allerston, Culture Minister, Angus Robertson, and The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland, Caroline Clark to mark the special occasion in a ribbon cutting ceremony. The children were then among the first to explore the new galleries, before taking time to create their own art, right in the centre of the new spaces.
A free experience for everyone to enjoy, right in the heart of Edinburgh’s city centre, the new Scottish galleries at the National showcase the very best historic Scottish art. With 150 years of Scotland’s art to discover in the contemporary and fresh new spaces, visitors are sure to recognise some much-loved favourites as they travel through the galleries.
Transforming the visitor experience and more than doubling the physical display space, 12 breathtaking galleries allow visitors to dive into dramatic landscapes, encounter iconic images and be wowed by art from 1800 to 1945.
Spectacular views over the city entice visitors to come in and discover the work of pioneering Scottish artists such as William McTaggart, Anne Redpath, Phoebe Anna Traquair, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow Boys.
The new Scottish galleries at the National will bring the nation’s artistic heritage to life – from much-loved Scottish Colourists as well as major works from the first half of the twentieth century to stellar works from the early 1800s onwards.
New ways of looking at Scotland’s natural and built environments will be on offer, with early photographs of Scotland’s capital city shown in the same spaces as grand paintings of majestic Highland landscapes, including works such as Landseer’s Monarch of the Glen.
Reimagined displays of drawings and sketches will celebrate artists such as Glasgow Style pioneer Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh and Alloa-born David Allan, whose depictions of ‘Edinburgh Characters’ will allow visitors to get up close to street life in the Scottish capital in the late eighteenth century.
The new galleries are easier to access than ever before, to ensure that the greatest number of people can discover the fascinating Scottish art on display. They have an accessible path in east Princes Street Gardens, new lifts, a partial changing place facility, accessible entrance, accessible toilets and a pram store.
These fresh new spaces will showcase the nation’s magnificent collection of historic Scottish art in new and engaging ways. With a series of new trails, audio guides and events, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
With even more to explore across the National, there will also be five new international hangs at the Mound level to enjoy, offering in total over 460 artworks to discover.
These galleries feature international superstars such as Poussin, Gauguin, Monet, Chardin and Canaletto. The new Scottish galleries at the National also includes three new areas specifically designed to display drawings and other fragile artworks, which will change regularly throughout the year.
Sir John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland, said:“With this project we set out to transform the experience of visiting the National and to show the world’s greatest collection of Scottish art with real pride and ambition.
“With the new Scottish galleries at the National, we have achieved these aims and more. The gallery is more accessible than ever before and there is a stunning new display of 150 years of Scottish art in all its richness and depth. From this Saturday, everyone is welcome to discover a brilliant new experience, free, in the heart of our nation’s capital.”
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “The National Galleries of Scotland has the world’s finest collection of Scottish Art and I’m delighted that the new galleries will now have space to showcase this to a national and international audience.
“We have supported this redevelopment project from the start with a significant contribution of £15.25 million and it’s wonderful to see the new galleries open, allowing everyone to enjoy them.”
Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland said: “National Galleries of Scotland have created a truly world-class facility showcasing Scotland’s distinctive and internationally important artistic heritage.
“This iconic building at the heart of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site is safeguarded for the future, creating a focus for our cultural and economic renewal.
“We are proud and excited to welcome the world to Edinburgh to enjoy the new galleries. We believe heritage helps us to understand who we are and where we are from; and so, we join with the National Galleries of Scotland in declaring this is a place for the people of Scotland.
“Our support for this project is thanks to National Lottery players and we encourage them to visit as soon and often as they can.”
The total project cost is £38.62 million. This has been funded by major contributions from the Scottish Government (£15.25m) and The National Lottery Heritage Fund (£6.89 million).
An extremely successful fundraising campaign raised over £16m thanks to an extraordinarily generous response in donations from trusts, foundations, Patrons, the National Galleries of Scotland’s Friends organisation, American Patrons and a wide range of private individuals.
Today Broughton High will be hosting the formal unveiling of the brand new memorial plaque and sculpture erected in honour of the memory of five High School students – Leif Rohde, Paul Taylor, Billy Feachen, Carol McGowan and Melody Mak – who sadly lost their lives together in a tragic road accident on Queensferry Road on 13 March 1990.
The plaque was designed and commissioned by relatives of those young people. There are 5 daffodils to represent each student, complementing the 5 memorial trees that were planted by the sculpture & plaque after the accident.
The unveiling marks the conclusion of a project that has been years in the planning.
St James Quarter has revealed the full line up of unmissable fashion and beauty events for this weekend’s ‘Edinburgh Style’, which is taking place from today, Friday 29th September, and running until Sunday, 1st October.
Returning to the capital’s lifestyle district for 2023, the weekend-long event will feature styling events with leading brands including Levi’s, IOLLA and Grazia’s very own fashion team who will be sharing their season styling tips on the Style Stage located on Level 3.
Edinburgh Style will also play host to exclusive talks and masterclasses, with Jo Tutchener-Sharp, founder of the newly opened Scamp & Dude, who is set to talk about the brand’s purpose-led approach, including its ongoing charity campaigns and events.
Beauty aficionados can learn how to get the perfect runway look straight from the experts at H Beauty’s Carnival’s, two days of iconic beauty masterclasses with brands including Pat McGrath, Kylie Cosmetics and Charlotte Tilbury in the Level 1 workshop space from Saturday, 30th September to Sunday 1st October.
The walkways of the Galleria will be transformed into a high fashion runway, providing the backdrop to two iconic fashion shows, where guests will have an exclusive preview of the newest looks fresh off the rails from retailers including John Lewis, H&M, & Other Stories and BOSS, as well as Harvey Nichols on Multrees Walk.
The excitement continues with John Lewis hosting fashion and beauty masterclasses across the weekend as part of its MYJL Members’ Week in collaboration with top influencers Nadine Baggott, Clarissa Rae and Nicole Ocran.
And it doesn’t end there, Michael Kors, Strathberry and LK Bennet on Multrees Walk will join a host of retailers at St James Quarter providing exciting shopping experiences from live music to personalisation and prosecco. So what are you waiting for….
Don’t forget to download the St James Quarter app to stay up to date with all things Style and of course book a space in our incredibly stylish car park.
Susan Hewlett, Brand and Marketing Director at St James Quarter, said: “Edinburgh Style is returning to St James Quarter this weekend and it’s set to be the most fabulously stylish event yet.
“With a packed schedule of fashion shows and workshops, beauty masterclasses and style talks from leading retailers and of course a unique opportunity to experience firsthand what it’s like to work on an international style bible with the team from Grazia, it’s one not to miss!”
For more information on the free events that will be taking place across the weekend please visit the St James Quarter app here, or alternatively at:
New research from Age Scotland has revealed a substantial increase in the number of older people facing financial hardship.
The national charity for older people’s Big Survey, launched in full yesterday (Thursday 28th September), identified that 41% of over 50s in Scotland feel financially squeezed and a further 35% think they will be within a year. This is an increase of more than 60% in two years since the charity’s first Big Survey in 2021 where 26% felt financially squeezed.
Age Scotland and Scotinform surveyed more than 4,100 over 50s covering every local authority area in Scotland and the research paints a worrying picture of just how many older people are struggling with the current cost of living.
Nearly all respondents who are squeezed (97%) were struggling with energy bills, an increase from 82% in 2021. Food was in second place for 76%, which didn’t feature in the charity’s 2021 list of most concerning bills. In third place was Council Tax which had risen sharply to 62% from 46% in 2021.
Eight in ten people over the age of 50 (79%) reported cutting back on energy and heating, 55% on holidays, 49% on food, 46% on socialising and 41% on savings.
Of real concern for the future is the 26% of those aged 50-54 and 27% aged 55-59 cutting back on saving for retirement.
15% of respondents with less than £10,000 annual gross household income were using credit or taking on debt to cope with their finances.
Only 16% felt optimistic about their future.
Katherine Crawford, CEO of Age Scotland, said: “Our Big Survey findings drive home the devastating toll the cost-of-living crisis is taking on older people’s financial wellbeing.
“Far too many pensioners are affected by poverty, and the stark reality for 2023 is older people in Scotland are getting colder, poorer and less optimistic about their future. In fact, many are cutting back on all life’s necessities and pleasures – from heating and food to holidays and social activities – and still struggling to make ends meet.
“Our helpline is hearing from an increasing number of older people who are finding it near impossible to pay their bills, having cut down on all but the essentials, and are at risk of falling into unmanageable debt as a result.
“Looking at the huge number of working age older people cutting back on saving for retirement also paints a grim image of the future, so it’s vital to ensure we have a labour market that is prepared for and able to properly support older people to work flexibly for as long as they want and need to.
“As we head into the colder months, it’s vital older people are claiming every penny they are entitled to. A quick call to our free 0800 12 44 222 can help you make sure you’re not missing out.
“Given the strain facing older households due to cost of living, if there was ever a time for big ideas and action from the Scottish and UK governments on how to tackle poverty and get more money in older people’s pockets – it is now.”
