Tag: city council

Edinburgh residents asked to buy responsibly this Christmas

A new campaign encouraging residents to have a less wasteful Christmas and help reduce their impact on the environment has been launched today.

Following on from the city-wide Net Zero Challenge, which encourages people learn about the cost to the climate of everyday actions by measuring their carbon footprint, the new multi-media campaign aims to build upon the momentum gathered by the COP26 conference.

Edinburgh residents are being urged to buy more responsibly and to avoid waste where possible, by choosing local suppliers and products, asking for pre-loved or home-made gifts and cutting down on food waste.

Residents will also be encouraged to use the Edinburgh Reuse Map, developed in partnership with Changeworks, to discover where items can be sourced second-hand or for free, fixed, donated or even upcycled.

As well as content promoted through billboards, bus shelters, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and radio, additional practical information and support on wasting less over the festive season, including details on recycling and Christmas tree uplifts, and plastic-free shops across the city is also available to residents at http://www.Edinburgh.gov.uk/GreenChristmas

Council Leader, Councillor Adam Mcvey said: “The Green Christmas campaign aims to build on the momentum and interest in the climate crisis from COP26 coming to Scotland, to encourage even more people across the city to take climate action and help deliver a cleaner, greener capital.

“The vast majority of people in Edinburgh agree that we  need to cut down on waste over Christmas. 

“And from choosing gifts with recyclable or minimal packaging, avoiding items that can’t be recycled – such as glittery cards or shiny wrapping paper, to supporting local shops and choosing local food to cut down on air miles – there’s lots of ways we can all be greener in the run up to holidays to be more sustainable and look after our beautiful city and precious planet.”

Depute leader, Cammy Day said: “Although going totally waste free this Christmas may be a tall order, there’s still lots we can all do to cut down.

“Small changes do add up and, as well as being good for the environment, can often save you time and money too. For example, planning your meals ahead of time so you only buy the food you need can help you save up to £437 a year, and helps us tread more lightly.”

Have a Greener Christmas

  • Second hand shops and online auction sites are great ways to discover meaningful, pre-loved gifts. They also help you avoid waste. Use the Edinburgh Reuse Map to discover local shops.
  • Making your own gifts – be it a tasty treat or crafty surprise, is a great way of giving a thoughtful gift without the waste. Get inspired with the Zero waste Scotland Sustainable Christmas guide
  • Use the Zero Waste Edinburgh map to find your nearest plastic free and wholesale grocery shops
  • Support local shops and choose local food to cut down on your carbon footprint.
  • New Christmas electronics? Join others and donate unwanted laptops and phones to Edinburgh Remakery for refurbishment and help cut down on waste.
  • Broken items? Borrow any tools you may need from the Edinburgh Tool Library, to try and fix it yourself or find a local businesses that can do it for you.
  • Buy more responsibly this Christmas by asking yourself these 5 questions:
    • #1 How sustainable is this? What’s it made of? What’s the energy efficiency rating?
    • #2 Can I find this second hand? You may find the same for much less
    • #3 How long will it be loved for? Choose things which will last
    • #4 Who made it? Can the brand you’re buying from guarantee that everyone in the supply chain was paid fairly and had safe working conditions?
    • #5 Do I really need it? Check what you already have
  • The number of brussels sprouts wasted over Christmas in the UK could power a home for 3 years. Turn any leftovers into tasty meals www.lovefoodhatewaste.com

Edinburgh awarded highest global rating for climate action

Edinburgh has become the first city in Scotland to be awarded with the highest rating for climate action.

Edinburgh is one of just 95 cities world-wide to be placed on the 2021 A List by CDP – an international charity which runs the world’s largest environmental disclosure system for companies and cities.

The A-List position recognises that Edinburgh has:

  • Publicly disclosed a city-wide emissions inventory
  • Set an emissions reduction target – for Edinburgh, this is a target of net zero emissions by 2030
  • Published a climate action plan, Edinburgh’s 2030 Climate Strategy, which sets the strategic direction for reducing the city’s emissions and becoming resilient to future climate change 
  • Completed, and is in the process of updating a climate risk and vulnerability assessment
  • A climate adaptation plan, showing how it plans to tackle the unavoidable impacts of climate change, which will be updated and extended to respond to the risk assessment

By publicly disclosing Edinburgh’s environmental data through CDP, the city’s performance is benchmarked against other cities and regions across the world, helping to highlight areas of action and improvement.

Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council Adam McVey said: “This international recognition is a fantastic accomplishment for Edinburgh. It recognises how transparent we’re being about the action we’re taking as a city to tackle climate change as well as the hard work which is already underway to support our 2030 target.

“Net-zero redevelopments like Granton Waterfront, improving our parks, food growing sites and urban forests have all delivered action as a city to help deliver net-zero. “

“Whilst COP26 may have just ended, with some disappointment on progress agreed by National Governments, Edinburgh’s work continues to build on the progress we’ve already made. And the strength of Edinburgh’s approach has been endorsed with being listed one of just 95 cities in the world to be awarded an A-list status by the CPD, the only city in Scotland.

“Our works as a council and as a city will continue over the coming months and years to help deliver a net zero, climate ready capital by 2030 and we know that’s what our residents are demanding of us.”

Depute leader Cammy Day said: “This recognition from CDP is welcome encouragement and reinforces that we’re on the right track.As Scotland’s capital, we’re delivering innovative and ground-breaking projects which will encourage change at the speed and scale needed to ensure our young people inherit a thriving, climate ready, sustainable city which is a cleaner and healthier place to live and work.

“However we can’t afford to become complacent and we need to keep on driving city-wide climate action and change, whilst ensuring that no one is left behind to help Edinburgh meet its climate targets.”

Fewer than 1/10 cities reporting to CDP made the A List in 2021. Findings from the charity show that A List cities take twice as many mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A List cities, and also identify more than twice as many opportunities – such as the development of sustainable transport sectors and clean technology businesses.

About CDP  
 
CDP is a global non-profit that runs the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions. Founded in 2000 and working with more than 590 investors with over $110 trillion in assets, CDP pioneered using capital markets and corporate procurement to motivate companies to disclose their environmental impacts, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources and protect forests.     

Over 14,000 organizations around the world disclosed data through CDP in 2021, including more than 13,000 companies worth over 64% of global market capitalization, and over 1,100 cities, states and regions. CDP is a founding member of the Science Based Targets initiative, We Mean Business Coalition, The Investor Agenda and the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative.

Visit cdp.net or follow @CDP to find out more.

Robert Louis Stevenson family bible comes home to Edinburgh

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh (MGE) is delighted to reveal important new donations to the Writers’ Museum collections, relating to the family and life of author Robert Louis Stevenson.

Among the donations are the Stevenson family Bible, bible box and a family genealogical record written by Stevenson’s grandfather, Robert, the first of the famed lighthouse engineers.

The family record lists personal details of births, deaths and marriages in the family over many generations, while the bible has fascinating marks and notations from years of heavy use.

Councillor Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener said: These are fantastic additions to our collections, offering our residents and visitors such lovely and important further insights into such an iconic family.  

“I have no doubt this generous contribution will generate much interest and the city’s lasting gratitude.

Curator Anna MacQuarrie said: “Our Stevenson collections speak to the life and experiences of this great writer, both as a young boy and his later days spent in the South Seas.

“These new donations are a wonderful addition to the collection, allowing us to imagine what kind of influence these objects might have had on his young life and later inspirations.

“We are sincerely grateful to the donor for their generosity, enabling the wider public to better understand Stevenson and his family background.

The donor, who chose to remain anonymous, said: “I was touched by the gracious, enthusiastic attitude of the curators to whom I recently passed on family items, pertaining to Louis/RLS and the lighthouse engineer side of our family.

“Gifting was made easier by the knowledge and assurance that a wider public would benefit from being able to see other pieces in the familial, Stevenson jigsaw puzzle. It was a relief to realise that the items would be honoured and cared for – and subsequently appreciated by many other interested parties.

Jeremy Hodges, Robert Louis Stevenson biographer and co-ordinator of the annual RLS Day celebrations, said: “Despite the international fame of RLS as an author, he always felt slightly guilty about not following in his father’s footsteps as a builder of lighthouses – a proper job of more importance than making stories.

“He remedied this in part by writing Records of a Family of Engineers, drawing on the kind of genealogical material that forms part of this bequest.

“The family Bible would have been treasured by the devout Robert Stevenson and his descendants, including Robert Louis – despite his announcement in his early twenties that he no longer believed in the Christian religion, a confession that led to traumatic rows with his God-fearing parents.”

To further celebrate Robert Louis Stevenson day online MGE has an online talk on ‘Island Characters’ by Jeremy Hodges from the Robert Louis Stevenson Club, and a podcast (link to go live on 13 Nov) discussing the renowned Stevenson photo albums and new donations.

Corstorphine Connections: pupils reimagine their school streets

Children in Corstorphine have become urban designers to help create safer, more welcoming streets in their local neighbourhood.

As COP26 takes hold of Scotland, pupils from Carrick Knowe and Corstorphine Primary Schools have been sharing ideas to help people make healthy, low carbon journeys by walking, wheeling or cycling, as well as improving the environment, in their own corner of the country.

The city council is engaging with the community as part of Corstorphine Connections, a project to introduce a Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN), and are asking residents to share their views on proposals to improve the look and feel of the area.

The design proposals have been developed after receiving initial feedback from residents, including these designs for school streets by local children. Amongst their ideas are more trees, grass and flowers, spotty patterned roads and paw prints along the street to signpost safe routes.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “We owe it to future generations to create a city that is healthy, sustainable and safe to move around by foot, wheel or bike. So it’s fantastic that we’ve been able to involve our youngest citizens in the development of Edinburgh’s first LTN – they’ve got some great ideas.

“We’ve seen from neighbourhoods around the world how LTNs can have a really positive impact on travel habits and quieter, more pleasant streets for residents and businesses, so I really look forward to delivering these benefits in Edinburgh.”

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, added: “We really want to bring the Corstorphine community with us as we develop this LTN, and we’ve already been listening to ideas and concerns as we move through the process.

“These designs demonstrate the impact the layout of our streets can have an all members of society, young and old, so it’s been really helpful to hear what local school pupils think.”

Dan Jeffs, Senior Urban Designer at Sustrans Scotland, said: “Sustrans has been working closely with Corstorphine Primary School and Carrick Knowe Primary School to identify placemaking measures for spaces immediately outside their schools and within the wider area.

“These measures will help create safer, more enjoyable and attractive streets and spaces for children and local residents, as well as encourage and promote walking, wheeling and cycling in the area.

“People are being invited to have their say on placemaking ideas for Corstorphine, such as hanging baskets and ‘pencil bollards’ to protect children outside the school on Corstorphine High Street and new seating and colourful road surfaces to prioritise pedestrians on Saughton Road North.

“Two options for a ‘pocket park’ on Featherhall Avenue have also been put forward for feedback.”

Plans to start the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) process to introduce an LTN on a trial basis in Corstorphine were approved by Transport and Environment Committee in August, following engagement with the community on key issues and, subsequently, concept designs.

The LTN aims to create a safer environment, providing more opportunities for residents to walk, wheel, cycle and spend time in by reducing vehicle volume and speed.

In Corstorphine, residents have previously told the council about concerns around the level and speed of traffic there, which is backed up by CEC’s own monitoring.

By implementing an LTN the council hopes to create a calmer, more relaxed environment for travel by foot, wheel or bike. It is planning to introduce the LTN on a trial basis, using an ETRO, in early spring 2022.

LTNs form part of the City Mobility Plan, Edinburgh’s ten-year transport strategy envisioning a better-connected, safer and more inclusive net zero carbon transport system. The council is also working towards the introduction of an LTN in Leith next summer.

Find out more about Corstorphine Connections online and share your views on placemaking designs on the Council’s consultation hub before 14 November.

City cycle hire scheme: council to set up team to look at options

Work towards reintroducing a cycle hire scheme in Edinburgh has begun, along with plans for shorter term measures to support cycling initiatives in the Capital.

A report to Transport and Environment Committee on Thursday (11 November) proposes establishing a project team to explore options for replacing the popular Edinburgh Cycle Hire Scheme (ECHS), which provided almost half a million trips in its three-year term.

As well as learning lessons from the first contract with Serco, a series of objectives for any new initiative have been recommended. These include the need for bikes to be adaptive and accessible, for communities to be involved in proposals and to seek to increase use by low participation groups, particularly those who are economically or socially disadvantaged.

Several short-term actions are proposed to mitigate the impact of the previous cycle hire scheme ending. Amongst these are the expansion of the Cargo Bike Movement, letting members of the public, local businesses and organisations loan cargo bikes, and investment in Brake the Cycle, which supports offenders to repair and restore donated bikes for reuse.

Medium-term it is also recommended that officers explore a city bike club in partnership with retailers and other relevant organisations.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “The Edinburgh Cycle Hire Scheme was an extremely welcome addition in Edinburgh, judging by the many people who made use of it, and opened up cycling as a convenient, accessible mode of transport to a whole new audience.

“It was really disappointing that we weren’t able to find a way forward with the previous contract, despite our best efforts, but as we look to a future scheme, I’m confident we can deliver an even better replacement suited to the needs of the city.”

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “I know many people will be delighted that we’re making moves toward an inclusive, community-led replacement for the cycle hire scheme.

“As we work to develop this our short-term measures will help those who need support to access a bike.”

Edinburgh’s first cycle hire scheme, operated by Serco, ran from 2018 to 2021 at no cost to the Council. Despite negotiations considering various options, an extension to the contract could not be agreed and, unfortunately, the scheme closed at midnight on 17 September.

During 2020, ECHS was the fastest growing scheme in Britain, with 234,500 trips made, expanding across the city and attracting users from different backgrounds. It is recognised that its availability helped to normalise and promote cycling amongst the public, aligning with the need to shift towards more sustainable modes of transport and supporting net zero carbon goals.

Based on the first contract it is suggested that a financial subsidy from the Council will be required for a future scheme. Analysis by Transport for Edinburgh highlights other matters for consideration, including clearly defined aims and objectives, the need to minimise opportunities for vandalism of bikes and infrastructure and integration with buses and trams.

If approved, a project team would be formed to carry out research and engagement with stakeholders, elected members and local communities to gather views on objectives and the options for delivering them. This work would then form the basis of recommendations to a future committee.

Read the full report, Edinburgh Cycle Hire Scheme – future delivery and interim community initiatives, on the Council website.

You can watch the discussion at Transport and Environment Committee live via webcast from 10am on Thursday, 11 November.

Basement Jaxx to headline Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2021

Grammy winning, electronic music duo headline Party alongside Scottish DJ and presenter Arielle Free

Tickets for Party at the Bells headlined by Basement Jaxx (DJ Set), supported by Arielle Free, are on sale now available here.

The electric duo will take to the Ross Bandstand stage under the famous Edinburgh Castle backdrop to perform hits from their DJ set such as Where’s Your Head At, Do Your Thing, Romeo and Oh My Gosh!

The double BRIT and Grammy winners will be supported by BBC Radio 1 DJ, and Scotland’s answer to Annie Mac, Arielle Free, who will be returning to Edinburgh’s Hogmanay after ringing in the bells in 2019. Party goers can prepare themselves for more bangers than the midnight fireworks, making it the best place to welcome the new year!

Garden Access Tickets for Party at the Bells are now sold out, a limited number of Premium Garden Access Tickets for Party at the Bells went on sale today (Tuesday 9 November) at 10am.

Party at the Bells: Street Access tickets will allow revellers to view Basement Jaxx’s DJ set through a series of screens as they are beamed onto the street from the Ross Bandstand. Party goers will also enjoy interactive street theatre entertainment from Close-Act Street Theatre, who will be joined by Scottish based PyroCeltica with more acts to be announced soon.

The world-renowned midnight firework display will also return with a bang, accompanied by a special soundtrack from Basement Jaxx themselves.

Underbelly Co-Directors, Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam, said: ‘Basement Jaxx are world class DJs and we’re bringing them to Edinburgh for the biggest night of the year!

“Nothing brings people together like live music and, after a year like no other, we can’t wait to see them on stage in Edinburgh, helping us to see 2021 out in style.’

Basement Jaxx duo, Felix Burton and Simon Ratcliffe said: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is an iconic event known to artists around the world.

“The crowds in Edinburgh are always full of atmosphere and we know it will be a special night heading into 2022.”

Cllr Cammy Day, Depute Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Edinburgh is THE place to be to celebrate Hogmanay and it’s great to have the return of live events including music from Basement Jaxx to herald 2022.

“The past year has been very challenging right across the globe and for us, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is such a fantastic way to close 2021 and bring a shared sense of renewed hope and optimism for the year ahead.”

In a showcase of some of the best of Scottish music, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festival will also see Greyfriars Kirk play host to imaginative contemporary folk act, Breabach, on 29 December whilst local singer-songwriter, Dougie Maclean OBE and three x BRIT Award winner, Eddi Reader OBE take to the stage on 30 and 31 December respectively.

Working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council and Scottish Government, Underbelly is meticulously planning Edinburgh’s Hogmanay in the context of Covid-19 and is dedicated to creating a safe and fun environment for the 2021 celebrations. Ticket holders for the Party at the Bells and the Torchlight Procession, who are aged 18 and over, will need to show a Covid-19 passport to enter the events.

For more information and tickets, please visit:

https://www.edinburghshogmanay.com/

Helping young people into work being placed at the forefront of Council’s economic recovery drive

The City of Edinburgh Council is channelling crucial Young Person’s Guarantee funding into 14 employability programmes to help as many young people as possible get into work.

As Scotland’s Capital looks to build a stronger, fairer and more sustainable economy, councillors at the Council’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work committee this week were given an update on the diverse range of projects and programmes, both new and existing across the city, that will receive grant money.

These programmes will further help young people, aged between 16-24 years old, to prepare or give them the tools to find work.  

They are open to all young people, regardless of background or experience, but will also specifically help and support young people who have additional barriers to securing a job.  The help that young people can expect to receive will include mental health support, early skills training, practical skills training, as well as in-work support and mentoring as they progress into employment. 

The funding supports projects and activities running between October 2021 and March 2022.

The successful providers and their programmes that young people can access are as follows (in no particular order):

Cyrenians “Key to Potential – Key to College” and “Getting Together”

Citadel “Futureheads”

Impact Arts “Impact Arts (Projects) Ltd”

Access to Industry “EdinMe Project” and “Access Mechanics”

Street League “Connected”

RUTS “Inspire”

Young Enterprise Scotland “Bridge 2 Business – Edinburgh”

Move On “Move On Employability Pathway”

ENABLE Scotland “Breaking Barriers (Edinburgh Napier University)”

Articulture Cultural Trust “Creative Potentials”

Adoption UK Scotland

Barnardos “Drive2Work”

The funding is being delivered through the city’s own Edinburgh Guarantee, which earlier this year expanded to help people of all ages access fair work, training and employment, and has been provided by the Scottish Government, through its Young Persons Guarantee ambition.

Councillor Kate Campbell, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “We’re really pleased that there were so many good ideas and new, innovative programmes put forward by organisations across the city. The pandemic, and then Brexit, have caused so much disruption to people’s working lives and livelihoods, but we’re particularly mindful of the impact on young people and people facing additional barriers.

“We want to make sure that everyone, but especially those at the early stages of their working life or people who already face disadvantage, get fair access to education, training, skills development and good quality jobs.

“The Young Person’s Guarantee grant programme will help to increase those opportunities and will complement the already extensive support provided across the city.

“As a council we spend almost £5million a year supporting people who need a bit of extra help to find work and build skills and confidence. It’s never been more needed.

“Alongside, we’re making Edinburgh a Living Wage City, so that we’re not just helping people to access jobs, but good quality jobs. As we move through to economic recovery it’s vital that everyone can share in Edinburgh’s success, so making sure that work is fair, and people can earn a living wage, is a top priority.”

Councillor Mandy Watt, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Vice Convener, said: “Our Edinburgh Guarantee promises that no one will be left behind. Through this small grant programme we hope to make sure those who need our help will be given the opportunity to access the support they need so they are ready for whatever training or career aspirations they have their sights on.

“We also want to make sure that this is spread out across the city and that those experiencing the greatest barriers get the most help from these grant programmes.

It is hoped that YPG funding from the Scottish Government will be available in 2022/23 so work with providers to continue projects where the uptake and impact on young person accessing those programmes has been positive.

For anyone looking for more information about the Edinburgh Guarantee they can get in touch by emailing edinburghguarantee@edinburgh.gov.uk

Libraries’ Digital Help Surgeries

We can help you get started or troubleshoot problems with our ebook, audiobook, magazine and newspaper services.

During November we are running one-to-one digital help sessions on Tuesday afternoons in the Central Library.

You must book in advance by emailing informationdigital@edinburgh.gov.uk with your name and phone number. We will phone you back to arrange a session time. 

Covid-19 arrangements for this session

A few things will be different about this session in order to keep our staff and customers safe  

·         Booking is essential

·         Please attend the session on your own if possible (if someone needs to come with you, they must be from the same household)

·         You will be required to wear a mask throughout the session, unless exempt

·         On arrival you will be requested to complete the Test & Protect process via the QR Code scan or on paper. The information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR requirements and to be disposed of after 21 days

·         Hand sanitiser is available throughout Central Library including the location of the session

·         You will be asked to remain 1m socially distant throughout the session

·         While at the session please follow good hygiene practices (avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth. Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and dispose of it safely)

·         Please do not attend the session if you display symptoms of coronavirus

·         We are following guidance in line with the Scottish Government Covid-19 guidance – https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-staying-safe-and-protecting-others/ 

By booking a help session, you agree that you have read and agree with the above guidance. 

Our team can also support you remotely via phone call or email. Please contact us via email at: informationdigital@edinburgh.gov.uk or message us on Facebook or Twitter.

School pupils inspire Edinburgh residents and businesses to take up net zero challenge

Edinburgh’s residents and businesses are being urged to follow the lead of the city’s young people in taking action on climate change by joining the Council’s new Net Zero Challenge.

The challenge aims to encourage citizen action across the city and comes as COP26 climate talks get underway in Scotland.

Pupils at St Peter’s RC Primary school to the south of the city centre are growing produce in the school vegetable garden for use in meals and snacks, as part of the school-wide approach to support the city’s 2030 net zero target.

Pumpkins grown in the school’s vegetable garden have been used to make pumpkin muffins, apples  have been turned into chutney, and other seasonal produce such as leeks and potatoes for soup. Food recycling is commonplace at the school with waste turned into compost for the vegetable garden to nurture new crops.

Pupils also turn non-recyclable plastic items such as crisp packets and snack wrappers into ‘ecobricks’. After washing the wrappers, the pupils cut them into small pieces and stuff them tightly into used bottles. The ecobricks are collected and can be joined together to make furniture and in structures for gardens and play parks.

Inspired by the pupils actions the City of Edinburgh Council is calling on people of all ages, and businesses, to follow their  example and take part in the Net Zero Challenge and highlight through social media what they are doing to cut their carbon emissions using the #MyClimateAction hashtag.

Edinburgh residents and businesses are being encouraged to measure their carbon footprint to discover where they can take climate action in their personal life, with advice and support on hand at NetZeroEdinburgh.org

Participants taking up the Net Zero Challenge can visit NetZeroEdinburgh.org  which features ideas on how residents and business can make a difference – such as:

  • calculating your carbon footprint
  • looking at the way you heat and power your home to make it more energy efficient
  • choosing public transport or trips by foot or bike
  • thinking about what you buy and where you buy it from to make things last.

Council leader Adam McVey said: “Edinburgh’s young people are strongly advocating for change and explaining why we need to tackle climate change to secure their future. We know our residents and businesses understand the need to change to get to net-zero.

“Awareness of climate change and the impacts on our city has never been higher, but we know from recent climate consultations that some people are still unsure of where they can start taking action. 

“Measuring your carbon footprint is free and easy to do. And it lets you know the areas of life where you can make the biggest impact on your personal emissions.

“With COP26 taking place in Scotland, this is the perfect opportunity for all of us across our Capital to work together and take steps to cut our emissions. By all working together we can make a difference and hit net-zero by 2030 and secure the future of our children and grandchildren.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day added: “Hitting Edinburgh’s net zero target by 2030 is something that everyone who lives and works in the city will need to play their part in. That’s why it’s really it’s great to see the pupil’s at St Peter’s leading the way on climate action within their school as small changes do add up as we all do something different.

“That’s why we’ve launched the Net Zero Challenge as a quick and easy way to find out how you can help make a difference and create a cleaner, greener city.

“Because we all have a responsibility to act now and play our part in protecting our city for generations to come.”

Teacher Catherine McCabe, who helps lead St Peter’s sustainable activities, said: “Taking steps to be more sustainable and cutting our carbon footprint has become part of daily life at school.

“Whether it’s growing food in our vegetable garden, making compost from food waste or turning crisp wrappers into building blocks that can be used in making furniture, the kids are so involved in playing their part, from nursery and as they move through the school.

“It’s really inspiring to see the children getting so hands-on at this age and developing such good habits they can carry through their lives and, along the way, inspire others in the city to do their bit to take action on climate change.”

Edinburgh set to take part in new Internet of Things trial

Scottish Councils create safer and more sustainable communities through smart tech

The city council is one of six Scottish local authorities – alongside Scotrail, Blackwood Homes and Care and Borders College – set to benefit from a new Internet of Things (IoT) trial which has the potential to transform the experience of people who live within communities across the country.

The ‘IoT Accelerator Packs’ are being supplied by North, the UK’s leading IoT service and solutions provider.

The innovative packs are set to provide access to real time data insights on waste management, air quality, social housing solutions, building health and water monitoring capabilities. Used in the right way, they have the potential to transform the ways in which local communities live and work and can deliver a wide range of societal and economic benefits.

With access to the Scottish Government-backed national Internet of Things network, IoT Scotland, and funded IoT Accelerator Packs, the organisations involved can investigate and evaluate the power of IoT technology. Scotrail, Blackwood Homes and Care and Borders College are taking part in the innovative trial alongside the following:

  • Aberdeen City Council
  • Angus Council
  • East Renfrewshire Council
  • City of Edinburgh Council
  • Fife Council
  • Highland Council

Working closely with each organisation, North determined the services which would most benefit from smart solutions.

Comprising of sensors and the back-end services required to deploy the selected pack, the IoT Accelerator Packs are accompanied with professional services to facilitate the rollout. The North team will then evaluate and capture feedback, with deployment and support fully funded by the provider.

Fife Council has selected intelligent waste management technology. This will help to reduce their carbon footprint and operational costs using data to monitor smart bins, which align waste collection frequency with demand, significantly reducing costs and emissions. 

Scotrail, Edinburgh City, Angus and East Renfrewshire Council will have the ability to measure air quality within train stations, council buildings or across a busy town centre, measuring and reporting on temperature, humidity and pressure, alongside primary air pollutants, enabling environmental teams to access and collate measurements in real-time more easily and frequently than traditional manual processes.

Similarly, Blackwood Homes and Care will be implementing the use of sensors within its social housing to monitor and improve living environments. This will ensure parameters such as moisture control and ventilation are adequate, providing a healthy living environment for tenants whilst also protecting the fabric of the building.

Borders College will use the technology to monitor levels of CO2 within the working environment across its building. With high levels of CO₂ saturation proven to have a detrimental effect on an occupant’s health, affecting productivity, comfort, absence rates and learning retention.

Aberdeen City Council will implement smart sensors to monitor its water, alongside Highland Council, which has already successfully adopted the smart IoT sensor technology across its schools, care homes, leisure centres and council offices to gather a range of data and insights.

The addition of water monitoring is set to help each of the organisations maximise their water safety, by continuously monitoring and measuring water temperature to identify and reduce the risk of legionella and other bacteria.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, Kate Forbes, said: “These innovative accelerator packs have been designed to help organisations explore Internet of Things (IoT) solutions which can deliver sustainable social and economic benefits for local communities.

“Digital technologies like IoT help drive forward our economic recovery while reducing business costs and enabling progress towards net-zero emissions.”

Alasdair Rettie, Group Technical Director at North, said: “IoT technology has the power to truly transform our lives, from revolutionising the ways in which we work, to ensuring that we live in safe and healthy environments. Whilst providing us with the ability to access data which allows us to make informed decisions to improve services across communities.

“We are elated to assist these 10 organisations across Scotland, as they pave the way to use IoT technology to its fullest potential, enhancing their operations and existing systems. From connecting large scale cities to remote communities, the opportunities brought about by the implementation of IoT within our digital connectivity infrastructure are endless, particularly as we work towards Scotland’s social and economic recovery.

“The use of such solutions provides extensive opportunities and a vast number of benefits, and we are pleased to be able to provide these organisations with this opportunity.”

IoT Scotland is the UK’s most advanced IoT network, and it is hoped that through the ‘IoT Accelerator Packs’, local authorities will realise the benefits insightful and actionable IoT data can deliver, driving the adoption of IoT technologies and smart solutions to revolutionise the lives of people throughout Scotland.

Data gathered by these smart solutions will remain the property of the council and all data will be handled in accordance with data protection and GDPR regulations. Councils will have the opportunity to pay to expand and continue the solutions after the initial 12-month period if they so wish.

Councils interested in taking part in the IoT Accelerator Pack programme should get in touch through the following email address: contact@north.tech.