Empowering local climate action

Climate Action Hubs in every area of Scotland

Communities across Scotland are being supported to take climate action, thanks to the realisation of a nationwide network of Climate Action Hubs.

A total of 24 hubs have been set up across Scotland – fulfilling a 2024 Programme for Government commitment.

The Hubs are helping empower people to act in their neighbourhoods and have supported a range of projects including those linked to local energy generation, flood mitigation and food growing.

A total of £5.5 million has been allocated in 2024-25 for Climate Action Hubs alongside a support package for delivery.

Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Tackling climate change is our collective responsibility and requires collaborative action at all levels.

“Communities are uniquely placed to play a key role in sharing and driving forward Scotland’s transition to low carbon and climate resilient living. It is vital that we continue empowering people to take action in their neighbourhoods in a way which is right for them – which is why I am proud of supporting our hugely successful framework of regional climate hubs.

“The national hub network are a way communities to come together and engage in collective grass roots action. Through the hubs we will continue to support people and communities to take action, helping Scotland decarbonise by 2045 and prepare for the impacts of climate change which lie ahead.”

Mel Sutton, Project Delivery Manager from Twechar Community Action, said: “I am delighted that East Dunbartonshire Climate Action Hub will be a part of a national network of community action hubs across Scotland.

“This will be an opportunity for local community groups to benefit from the support of the Hub to develop projects, access funding and enjoy the benefits of being part of a national network.

“Over the next few months, we will be mapping out the current climate action projects in the area and delivering climate emergency awareness events and taster sessions which will help community groups develop new climate projects.

“We will then use these events to launch a seed fund to support local communities in making changes that reduce energy use, waste and carbon emissions – and have the added benefit of improving people’s health, wellbeing and resilience.”

Funding for the climate hubs is allocated as follows:

OrganisationBudget
Angus Climate Hub£165,000.00
Argyll & Bute Climate Action Network Hub£145,000.00
Ayrshire Climate Hub (covering North, East and South Ayrshire)£340,000.00
Dumfries and Galloway Climate Hub£200,000.00
Dundee “Changemakers HubEast Dunbartonshire Climate Action Hub£140,000.00£49,698.00
East Lothian Climate HubEast Renfrewshire Climate Action Hub (including development grant)£126,478.00
£97,352.50
Edinburgh Climate Action Hub£350,000.00
Fife Climate Action Hub£290,000.00
Forth Valley Climate Action Hub  (covering Stirling, Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park)£365,000.00
Glasgow Climate Action Hub£450,000.00
Highlands & Islands Climate Hub (covering Highland, Orkney and Shetland)£437,839.60
Inverclyde Climate Action Hub£93,500.00
Lanarkshire Climate Action Hub (covering North and South Lanarkshire)£480,000.00
Midlothian Climate Action Hub£125,000.00
Moray Climate Action Hub£135,000.00
North East Scotland Climate Action Network  (NESCAN) Hub (covering Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)£468,000.00
Outer Hebrides Climate Hub£123,900.00
Perth & Kinross Climate Action Hub (including development grant)£160,000.00
Renfrewshire Climate Action Hub (including development grant)£145,000.00
Scottish Borders Climate Action Network£160,000.00
West Dunbartonshire Climate Action Hub (including development grant)£15,600.00
West Lothian Climate Action Hub£160,000.00

Community action to reach net zero

£5.5 million for Scotland’s Climate Action Hubs

Communities will receive a share of up to £5.5 million Scottish Government funding to help reduce their emissions and improve resilience in the face of climate change.

The funding, for 2024-25, will support Scotland’s network of 20 Community Climate Action Hubs, which encourage and support climate action. Based across Scotland, the Hubs have supported a range of projects bespoke to their area, including on local energy generation and flood mitigation.

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Màiri McAllan confirmed the funding during a visit to the North East Scotland Climate Action Network (NESCAN) Hub in Aberdeen.

One of the original two hubs that successfully piloted the concept in 2021, the NESCAN Hub has delivered climate assemblies to schools, climate literacy sessions to the local community, supported repair cafes to increase local reuse and recycling rates and provided advice and support around tackling fuel poverty by improving energy efficiency for buildings as well as renewable heat and energy generation.

Ms McAllan said: “I am very pleased to hear first-hand how NESCAN Hub’s work has been helping communities in Aberdeen to support climate action through projects tailored to meet the needs and interests of the area.

“Tackling climate change is our collective responsibility and will require collaborative action at all levels. We must also share in the benefits that our net zero journey will bring. 

“Communities are uniquely placed to play a critical role in shaping and driving forward the transition to low carbon and climate resilient living and we want to empower people to take action in their neighbourhoods that’s right for them. 

“That is why we are proud to continue to support our hugely successful framework of regional climate hubs, which provide a vehicle for communities to come together and engage in collective grass-roots action.”

NESCAN Hub Manager, Alison Stuart said: “We are proud of the continuing achievements of groups supported by NESCAN Hub. In particular, the ongoing work to help fulfil the residents’ wishes to create a healthier, happier and more sustainable community.

“This will not only support our response to the climate crisis, but also improve wellbeing, help address fuel poverty and increase community capacity, assets and wealth-building.”

Background

The Scottish Government is providing up to £5.5 million of funding in 2024/2025 for its network of Climate Action Hubs alongside a support package for delivery. This is broken down as follows – with some funding still to be allocated  

Work is ongoing to ensure national coverage of the hubs.

OrganisationBudget
Angus Climate Hub£165,000.00
Argyll & Bute Climate Action Network Hub£145,000.00
Ayrshire Climate Hub£340,000.00
Dumfries and Galloway Climate Hub£200,000.00
Dundee “Changemakers Hub£140,000.00
East Lothian Climate Hub£115,000.00
Edinburgh Climate Action Hub£350,000.00
Fife Climate Action Hub£290,000.00
Forth Valley Climate Action Hub£365,000.00
Glasgow Climate Action Hub£450,000.00
Highlands & Islands Climate Hub£437,839.60
Inverclyde Climate Action Hub£93,500.00
Lanarkshire Climate Action Hub£480,000.00
Midlothian Climate Action Hub£125,000.00
Moray Climate Action Hub£135,000.00
North East Scotland Climate Action Network  (NESCAN)£468,000.00
Outer Hebrides Climate Hub£123,900.00
Perth & Kinross Climate Action Hub£40,000.00
Scottish Borders Climate Action Network£160,000.00
West Lothian Climate Action Hub£160,000.00
Total£4,783,239.60