Friends of the Earth: Climate report highlights need to get off fossil fuels

Environmental campaigners have said that the latest UN climate report makes clear that governments must say no to new fossil fuels and tackle an economic system that is speeding us towards climate breakdown.

Friends of the Earth Scotland Head of Campaigns Mary Church said: “Today’s UN report is another stark warning that the chances of avoiding 1.5°C are shrinking fast.

“Deep emissions cuts are needed now, and the message at the heart of this latest assessment is that we must say no to all new oil and gas projects, put an end to fossil fuel subsidies and urgently start delivering a just transition for impacted communities.

“The science is unequivocal in warning that the impacts of climate breakdown are happening sooner and are more devastating than previously thought, and of the irreversible impacts of going beyond 1.5°C. 

“However, in assuming varying degrees of overshooting the critical 1.5°C threshold, many of the pathways set out in this report are simply untenable and show the political battles that are being fought around how to act on the science. 

“What’s crystal clear is that this crisis is being driven by corporations who are profiting from climate catastrophe and over-consumption by the rich, particularly in the global north.

“Despite the bleak findings of today’s report, hope remains because the science also shows that another world, with decent standards of living for all, is still possible within the remaining carbon budget. But only if we rapidly phase out fossil fuels, and wealthy countries responsible for driving the climate to the brink start doing their fair share of action.

“The Scottish Government must heed the science, live up to its own rhetoric on justice and end its fixation with the dodgy technologies like carbon capture that are being pushed by industry that would gamble with life on earth for the sake of squeezing out every last drop of oil, and urgently get on with delivering a just transition to a renewable energy economy.” 

Hemantha Withanage, Chair of Friends of the Earth International, added: “In my country, Sri Lanka, the impacts of climate change are being felt now. We have no time to chase fairy tales like carbon removal technologies to suck carbon out of the air.

“The IPCC evidence is clear: climate change is killing people, nature and planet. The answers are obvious: a fair and fast phaseout of fossil fuels, and finance for a just transition. The fantasy of overshooting safe limits and betting on risky technofixes is certainly not a cure for the problem.”

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – the UN body responsible for climate science – published its Synthesis report today, capturing the latest findings from its 6th round of Assessment Reports on the Physical Science Basis, Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability and Mitigation of Climate Change, and the three preceding Special Reports including 2018’s Global Warming of 1.5C. 

These reports help inform climate campaigners and shape government climate action around the world. The IPCC carries out its Assessment Report in cycles spanning several years meaning the next time they will issue such reports could be towards the end of this decade when the world hopes to be in a very different place. 

The IPCC’s AR6 Synthesis Report and Summary for Policy Makers is available at: 

https://scot.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b5ad0d61b2a67d22c68bf7d8d&id=14618511e6&e=195fc3d780

Minimum Unit Pricing ‘reducing alcohol deaths’

Report estimates the policy has saved hundreds of lives

Today, Public Health Scotland (PHS) and The Lancet publish new evidence showing the impact of alcohol minimum unit pricing (MUP) on deaths and hospital admissions attributable to alcohol consumption. The report has been welcomed by the Scottish Government.

Carried out in collaboration with the University of Glasgow, the study evaluated the impact of MUP on alcohol health harms, over the first two-and-half years of the policy.

The study estimated a 13.4% reduction in deaths, and a 4.1% reduction in hospital admissions, wholly attributable to alcohol consumption following the implementation of MUP. The study also found that MUP reduced deaths and hospital admissions where alcohol consumption may be one of a range of causative factors. The findings cover the period from MUP implementation up to the end of 2020.

This latest report builds on previous work that estimated alcohol sales reduced by 3% in the three years following the implementation of MUP.

Dr Grant Wyper, Public Health Intelligence Adviser at PHS, said: “Our study estimates that, following more than two and a half years of implementation, around 150 deaths, and around 400 hospital admissions, wholly attributable to alcohol consumption, were averted each year due to MUP.

“The greatest reductions were seen for chronic alcohol health harms, in particular alcoholic liver disease, which were slightly offset with less certain evidence of increases in acute alcohol health harms.

“The findings highlight that the largest reductions were found for males, and for those living in the 40% most deprived areas, groups which are known to experience disproportionally high levels of alcohol health harms in Scotland.

“We know that those living in the most socioeconomically deprived areas in Scotland experience alcohol-specific death rates more than five times higher compared to those living in the least deprived areas.

“The results published today are therefore very encouraging in addressing this inequality, and the overall scale of preventable harm which affects far too many people.”

Prof Daniel Mackay, Professor of Public Health Informatics at the School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, said: “The methods we’ve used in this study allow us to be confident that the reduction in alcohol health harms we’ve shown is due to the introduction of MUP, rather than some other factor.

“This was important as the COVID-19 pandemic occurred towards the end of our study period and may have had an impact on alcohol-related health harms that was unrelated to MUP. Our main findings for the whole study period were consistent with findings from an additional analysis that focused on the pre-pandemic period only.

“In fact, we tested our main finding across a range of different scenarios and found the results to be largely consistent with our main finding, strengthening our conclusion that MUP has been effective at reducing the harm to health caused by alcohol.”

Prof Jim Lewsey, Professor of Medical Statistics also at the School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, added: “Our approach compared what happened to alcohol health harms in Scotland with its neighbouring country, England, where MUP was not introduced.

“The methods we have used and the consistency of our findings with what was anticipated before MUP was introduced, allow us to be confident that the reduction in alcohol health harms is because of the MUP intervention.”

The MUP Evaluation Portfolio comprises of a number of research studies that are being undertaken to assess the impact of MUP across a range of outcomes, all of which have now been concluded. A report bringing together all the evaluation findings will be published in June 2023.

Research which estimates 156 deaths were averted each year following the implementation of Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) has been welcomed by the Public Health Minister Maree Todd.

A Public Health Scotland and University of Glasgow study indicates a 13.4% reduction in deaths, and a 4.1% reduction in hospital admissions wholly attributable to alcohol consumption in the first two and a half years after MUP was introduced in May 2018. The report also concludes the policy had reduced deaths and hospital admissions where alcohol consumption may have been a factor.

Researchers say they are confident there is a link between the introduction of MUP and the reduction in alcohol health harms. They also noted there had been significant reductions in deaths in areas of deprivation, suggesting MUP has helped reduce inequalities in alcohol-attributable deaths in Scotland.

Ms Todd said: “I am very pleased with these findings which point to more than 150 lives a year being saved and 411 fewer hospital admissions, further underlining the value of our world-leading Minimum Unit Pricing policy which has helped reduce alcohol sales to their lowest on record.

“We’re determined to do all we can to reduce alcohol-related harm which is one of the most pressing public health challenges that we face in Scotland.

“Minimum Unit Pricing continues to achieve its aim – cutting overall sales, particularly cheap high-strength alcohol, which is often drunk by people drinking at harmful levels.

“It’s also encouraging to see that the research has highlighted that the policy is having an effect in Scotland’s most deprived areas – which experience higher death rates and levels of harms from problem alcohol.”

The study – published by PHS and the Lancet – focused on the first two-and-half years of the policy. It follows a previous report which estimated that alcohol sales had dropped by 3% after MUP. A report bringing together all the evaluation findings on MUP will be published in June this year.

PHS report – ‘Evaluating the impact of alcohol minimum unit pricing (MUP) on alcohol-attributable deaths and hospital admissions in Scotland’. 

evaluating-the-impact-of-alcohol-minimum-unit-pricing-mup-on-alcohol-attributable-deaths-and-hospital-admissions-in-scotland-briefing-paperDownload

Green light for new office space and hotel at Haymarket Yards

Proposals for the delivery of an exciting mixed-use development at 20 Haymarket Yards have been given the green light by City of Edinburgh Council.

The approved planning application, granted subject to conditions, includes the demolition of the low-rise and outdated Elgin House office building, which lies close to Haymarket Station and the tram link. and the construction of a sustainable mixed-use development.

This will comprise a hotel with a ground floor café and a separate modern office building with associated public realm plaza, in an extremely well-connected city centre location. It is being brought forward by Stamford Property Holdings and potential occupiers are now being sought, with construction set to start in 2024.

Designed by the award winning 7N Architects, the new ten-storey 183,000 sq.ft. net office and nine-storey hotel of approximately 197 rooms is highly accessible by public transport, reducing car dependency and enhancing and improving the vitality of this area.

The net-zero in operation office building will respond to the shift in occupier demand for more sustainable workspaces that are focused on the positive wellbeing of future occupants. It will have shared internal winter garden spaces and extensive landscaped roof terraces offering amenity space and views south to the Pentland Hills.

This is a striking new landmark development at a gateway site on the rail and tram network into the heart of Edinburgh City Centre, and it will meet a growing demand for modern office workspaces, enhancing Edinburgh’s offering to major occupiers, and for hotel rooms.

Located near a major transport intersection, it will also play an important role in the reinvigoration of the former goods yard into a new business district clustered around this public transport hub.

This sustainable net-zero carbon in operation development responds to the climate emergency through adopting extensive energy efficiency measures and renewable energy strategies by virtue of a highly insulated built fabric, solar PV array, and air source heat pump (ASHP) low carbon heating system. The development is aiming for a minimum BREEAM Excellent rating, WIRED Platinum rating, Gold Smart Score and a NABERS minimum target of 5.

Located at a major transport hub close to Haymarket Station, the office proposal includes four parking spaces with electric vehicle charging capability and one accessible parking bay. The hotel is parking-free.

Commenting on this, Stamford Property Holdings Uri Goldberg said: “Our development will regenerate and intensify a current brownfield site in Edinburgh City Centre, meeting a significant demand for a new kind of workspace that is sustainable and enhances the wellbeing of occupiers, designed to be amongst the highest standards of ESG compliant developments coming forward.

“Addressing a growing demand for modern office workspaces in this historic city, this will help to retain and create jobs in the city centre.  Additionally, our hotel offering serves to address a clear need for bed spaces. This will allow people to work and stay in the city centre, supporting local businesses.

“Located at a key public transport hub at Haymarket, and with high-quality public realm on offer, this net-zero development will adopt extensive energy efficiency measures and renewable energy strategies, playing an important role in helping to achieve Edinburgh’s drive towards becoming a Net Zero city by 2030.

“We are keen to discuss the opportunities on offer with any potential occupiers.”

The offices are being marketed by Mike Irvine of Savills and Chris Dougray of CBRE.

Project Team

Architect – 7N Architects

Civil and Structures – Woolgar Hunter

Environmental Consultants, Acoustics and Air Quality – ITPEnergised

Sustainability and Building Services – Atelier Ten

Landscape Architect – OPEN

Planning Consultant – Scott Hobbs Planning

Project Manager – Edmond Shipway LLP

Transport – SWECO

About Stamford

Stamford is a real estate company specialising in regional mixed-use, office, residential, student and hotel development.

Corstorphine Primary School pupils kick off The Big Walk and Wheel

Children at Corstorphine Primary School celebrated the first day of The Big Walk and Wheel with a silent disco, walking bus and cycle obstacle course.

The inter-school walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting challenge, organised by charity Sustrans, encourages primary and secondary school aged children to make active journeys.

The children were joined by Transport Convener Cllr Scott Arthur.

Elizabeth Gilles, Depute Headteacher at Corstorphine Primary School, said: “It is wonderful to see our pupils embrace a range of activities for the Big Walk and Wheel.

“We really enjoy taking part in this every year and we can see how walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling can be great fun for everyone involved. Leaving the car at home can also have a positive impact on local traffic congestion and air pollution near the school too.”

Cecilia Oram, Sustrans Head of Behaviour Change, said: “Hundreds of thousands of pupils have risen to the challenge and embraced active travel each year, and this is such a fun event for schools to take part in.

“There’s a serious element to the Big Walk and Wheel too. Not only does the event help reduce pollution around the school gates but in 2019 it helped parents to save an estimated £1.6million in petrol costs during the fortnight.”

ABOUT THE BIG WALK AND WHEEL:

The Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel takes place 20 – 31 March 2023 and it inspires pupils to make active journeys to school, improve air quality in their neighbourhood and discover how these changes benefit their world.

The competition has been running since 2010, initially as the Big Pedal, and sees schools compete on each day of the challenge to make the most journeys by walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling.

Run by charity Sustrans and sponsored by Schwalbe, The Big Walk and Wheel has become the UK’s largest inter-school walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting competition.

A total of 391 schools in Scotland have signed up for this year’s challenge.

More than 2 million active journeys to 1,519 participating schools took place during the 2022 challenge. This resulted in a saving of 1,335 tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of 6,000 return car journeys from Edinburgh to London.

All Scottish Ambulance Service crews now trained in distributing Naloxone

All active crews at the Scottish Ambulance Service have now been trained to supply life-saving Take Home Naloxone (THN) kits.

Following the completion of the two year naloxone training programme, launched in 2021, 2333 Take Home Naloxone kits (THN) have been distributed by crews.

These Naloxone kits, which reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, have been distributed by ambulance clinicians to people at risk of a non-fatal overdose or potential future overdose. They have also been provided to family, friends and service workers who may have to administer naloxone in the future, while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

The successful roll-out of the training programme to distribute the kits has been led by three Clinical Effectiveness Leads for Drug Harm Reduction, covering the North, East and West regions. They have been funded by the Drug Deaths Taskforce, an extension of the Scottish Government’s existing Naloxone Programme.

Over the last two years, SAS has increased its partnership working with health boards and drug treatment and support services, as engagement with these services is a proven protective factor in reducing drug deaths. By creating alternative pathways, patients will receive a referral to follow up after their emergency presentation, to ensure they receive further appropriate care.

A booklet for call handers in SAS’s Ambulance Control Centres has also been developed, which provides an index for common drug terms. This booklet, created in partnership with Public Health Scotland – RADAR, can help call handlers better identify the needs of the patient when taking 999 calls.

Pauline Howie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We’re proud to have reached our target of training up our operational staff in being able to supply Take-Home Naloxone.

“Our crews offer a frontline service where they reach into vulnerable communities across Scotland, and this targeted distribution will ensure Naloxone will get into the hands of those who need it most.

“Over the last two years, our three Clinical Effectiveness Leads for Drug Harm Reduction have made huge strides to effect positive change within patient care, and access to treatment for those affected by their use of drugs. This is helping to meet our aims of positively improving health and wellbeing across Scotland.”

Drugs Policy Minister Angela Constance said: “Scotland was the first country in the world to introduce a national Naloxone programme and increasing its provision and availability has been a key priority in our national mission to help save lives.

“We know that having naloxone available can and does save lives and maximising its availability is a key part of our work to reduce drug related deaths in Scotland.

“The extent of the use of naloxone to prevent deaths illustrates the size of the challenge but also the ambition of the response, including from crucial partners like the Scottish Ambulance Service.

“We’re focused on supporting those affected by problem substance use, delivering real change on the ground and implementing evidence-based approaches we know can help save lives. We will continue to prioritise the distribution of naloxone and to work with partners, such as the SAS, to ensure that this important work continues and that we can continue to provide support to people at a time of crisis.”

Smashing Monuments launch event

COLLECTIVE

Exhibition opening – Saturday 25 March

2-3pm: In conversation: Sebastián Díaz Morales and Luciano Piazza
3-4pm: Opportunity to watch Smashing Monuments and enjoy refreshments.

Exhibition dates 25 March – 11 June 2023

Join us for the opening of Smashing Monuments by Sebastián Díaz Morales, from 2–4pm on Saturday 25 March 2023.

Originally comissioned for documenta fifteen, Smashing Monuments explores the relationships we have with urban monuments. The film follows five members of the Indonesian art collective ruangrupa as they walk the streets of Jakarta, engaging in one-sided conversations with the monuments around them.

The afternoon will include an ‘in conversation’ event with Sebastián and fellow artist Luciano Piazza, who has created an accompanying essay for the exhibition.

Sebastián and Luciano will discuss how urban developments, along with the passage of time, impact our everyday relationships with the statues and monuments that populate our cities. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity to watch the film and enjoy refreshments. 

Capacity for the artist talk is limited, so please book your free ticket here if you wish to attend.

All welcome from 3.00pm to view the work. 

Access information about our site can be found here.

Smashing Monuments produced with financial support of documenta fifteen, Mondriaan Fonds and The Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Mum’s The Word at Strachan House!

Residents at Barchester Healthcare’s Strachan House care home in Blackhall celebrated Mother’s Day with visits and video calls from family members near and far. The home was beautifully decorated with fresh flowers and bunting for the occasion.

Staff at Strachan House arranged a wonderful afternoon tea for all their all their resident mums. Head chef, Paul Dow freshly prepared sandwiches and his signature much loved scones with Cornish clotted cream to mark the day.

Muriel Sinclair (102) celebrates Mother’s Day

General Manager, Gordon Philp said: “We’ve all had a really lovely day.  It has been so good to see family members who were able to visit in person and to have video calls with those who are further away. 

“Our residents enjoyed a fantastic afternoon tea prepared by our brilliant chefs. Days like these are so special.”

** New City Hunt Game Alert **

Return to Wonderland with Escape Hunt Edinburgh

Escape Hunt Edinburgh is giving players the opportunity to step into Alice’s shoes in it’s brand-new City Hunt adventure, Return to Wonderland – launching at Escape Hunt Edinburgh, located in the Omni Centre on 23rd March. 

This epic city hunt transforms the streets of Edinburgh into a Wonderland-themed outdoor experience. Imagine an escape room with no doors, a treasure hunt with more challenges, and a city like you’ve never seen it before.

Players must take to the streets of Edinburgh, to find the virtual lost characters of Wonderland scattered across the city. Explore with a digital map to crack clues, complete puzzles and solve challenges along the way. With just 90 minutes – players must work together to find the characters, return them to wonderland and save the Mad Hatter from the Queen of Hearts. Chop Chop. 

Launching in time for the Easter Holidays, the experience is open to teams of between two and six players, perfect for friends and family members who want to try their hand at the puzzles of Wonderland. And what’s more, kids under 8 go free.

For tickets, or for more information on how to book, go to:

https://escapehunt.com/uk/edinburgh/games/return-to-wonderland/

UK Government extends voluntary National Insurance deadline

The UK Government has extended the voluntary National Insurance deadline to 31 July 2023 to give taxpayers more time to fill gaps in their National Insurance record and help increase the amount they receive in State Pension.

This comes after members of the public voiced concern over the previous deadline of 5 April 2023.

The deadline extension was announced in a Written Ministerial Statement last week (7th March) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging taxpayers to ensure they don’t miss out.

Anyone with gaps in their National Insurance record from April 2006 onwards now has more time to decide whether to fill the gaps to boost their new State Pension. Any payments made will be at the lower 2022 to 2023 tax year rates.

As part of transitional arrangements to the new State Pension, taxpayers have been able to make voluntary contributions to any incomplete years in their National Insurance record between April 2006 and April 2016, to help increase the amount they receive when they retire. And after an increase in customer contact, the UK Government has extended the deadline l.to ensure people have time to make their contributions.

Victoria Atkins, The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “We’ve listened to concerned members of the public and have acted.

“We recognise how important State Pensions are for retired individuals, which is why we are giving people more time to fill any gaps in their National Insurance record to help bolster their entitlement.”

Thousands of taxpayers with incomplete years in their National Insurance record could be financially better off in their retirement if they make voluntary payments to top up any incomplete or missing years.

Eligible taxpayers can find out how to check their National Insurance record, obtain a State Pension forecast, decide if making a voluntary National Insurance contribution is worthwhile for them and their pension, and how to make a payment on GOV.UK.

Taxpayers can check their National Insurance record, via the HMRC app or their Personal Tax Account.

Charities urged to bid for prize pot offered by insurance specialist

Charities in The Lothians have a chance to win a share of a £25,000 prize pot offered by expert charity insurer Ansvar as part of its Community Campaign.

Many good causes in the region have been struggling to raise funds during the current cost of living crisis and Ansvar, which has insured charities, churches and voluntary groups for more than 60 years, is offering help.

The money will be split three ways: £15,000 for the overall winner with £5,000 each going to two additional charities.

Applications for funding can be submitted between Monday 6th March and Monday 17th April, with winners announced by Wednesday 31st May.

Charities simply need to complete a short online form and explain in 500 words or less why their project deserves the prize.

Judges will be looking for projects that are about to start, or already running, which positively impact the local community.

Sarah Cox, Managing Director at Ansvar, said: “These are tough times for many charities, so we’re delighted to announce our search for three registered charities to benefit from a £25,000 prize pot.

“We know how much that money will mean to projects being run across the country and the judges are particularly keen to receive entries that provide a detailed outline of how the money would be spent.”

A judging panel will meet to decide the winner – and entries need to be made online via the Ansvar website. Entrants must be a registered charity and their charity number will be needed to apply.

Sarah Cox added: “We’ve been insuring charitable organisations at the heart of the community for a long time and giving back to the community is an important part of what we do.

“So, we’re really looking forward to hearing from a wide breadth of charities and learning how they could benefit from this funding boost. We strongly urge any eligible charities in need of funding to submit an application.”

For more information, please visit: https://www.ansvar.co.uk/community-campaign-2023/community-campaign-2023/