SGN has teamed up with Generation Science, an innovative educational programme led by Edinburgh Science, to empower primary school children with insights into future energy solutions and how we can tackle climate change.
The leading energy company is delivering LTS Futures – a first of its kind project – which aims to validate the compatibility of utilising the existing gas network to carry hydrogen.
The success of the project, which is repurposing a 30km decommissioned natural gas pipeline between Grangemouth and Granton, would pave the way for hydrogen transportation on a national scale.
Thanks to a second year of funding provided by SGN, around 380 pupils aged 7 to 11 (primary 4 to 7), who attend schools based along the LTS live trial pipeline, are benefiting from the 90-minute climate and engineering themed sessions.
The Green Machine is an interactive workshop dedicated to unravelling the complexities of energy transfer and renewable electricity generation.
Guided by the Edinburgh Science team of experts, students delve into lessons to refine their understanding and create innovative machine designs.
Recently SGN’s LTS Futures Project Director Nancy Thomson joined the Generation Science team at Granton Primary School, to participate in a session which explored future energy solutions for the Earth’s changing climate.
It looked at different sources of renewable and sustainable energy such as solar, wind and green hydrogen, and how we can utilise them to live in an environmentally responsible way.
Natalie McLaren, Principal Teacher at Granton Primary School, shared her thoughts on the workshop: “I’m thrilled that SGN and Generation Science chose to visit our school – the kids were so enthusiastic and engaged.
“Our pupils responded really positively to the hands-on workshop, and are all using key vocabulary and terms for the energy industry. It got them really thinking about how to conserve energy at home and making a difference.”
Director and CEO at Edinburgh Science, Hassun El-Zafar said: “After an incredibly successful partnership last year, we’re delighted to have once again receive support from SGN for this year’s Generation Science tour.
“Generation Science is our touring programme that brings high quality interactive science experiences into primary schools across Scotland – no matter where the school is based, pupils can enjoy the exact same experience.
“SGN is the perfect supporter for this project, as they share our drive to inspire the next generation of engineers and champion the importance of sustainable sources of energy for our homes.
“Thanks to their generous support, we are able to bring The Green Machine workshop to schools in Granton and Grangemouth.”
New demonstration homes showcase hydrogen appliances which enable households to cook and heat their homes without any carbon emissions
Homes are part of H100 Fife, a world-first green energy project which will see hundreds of households switch from natural gas to hydrogen
Local residents taking part in project can get hands-on experience ahead of appliances being installed in their own homes later this year
Opening marks a major milestone for H100 Fife and Scotland’s net zero ambitions
The First Minister John Swinney has hailed the opening of Scotland’s first hydrogen homes as a ‘shining example’ of how the country is leading the way in solutions to tackle climate change.
The homes are part of gas network company SGN’s H100 Fife project and showcase the potential for hydrogen to reduce carbon emissions in households and businesses across Scotland and the UK.
Located in Levenmouth on Fife’s east coast, the demonstration homes showcase how hydrogen can provide heating and cooking experiences very similar to natural gas. Familiar appliances like gas boilers and hobs are installed in the homes delivering the instant and responsive heat customers are used to, but with zero carbon emissions.
H100 Fife is a world-first green hydrogen project which will see up to 300 households switch to hydrogen for cooking and heating. Residents involved in the trial can now visit the demonstration homes to get hands-on experience ahead of appliances being installed in their own homes later this year.
The First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, opened the homes alongside SGN’s CEO Simon Kilonback and members of the community.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the project, First Minister John Swinney said: “Scotland’s net zero future depends on our ability to create innovative solutions to tackle climate change; and the H100 Fife project is a shining example of this ambition.
“These demonstration homes offer residents a glimpse of the role that hydrogen can play in delivering warm and comfortable homes with zero carbon emissions.
“I welcome this significant milestone in the project’s journey and look forward to its completion.”
Residents who have signed up for the project and those who live locally1 can visit the homes to see hydrogen boilers and hobs from leading manufacturers Baxi, Worcester Bosch, and Bosch Home Appliances. These are the appliances that will be installed in their own homes later this year.
SGN’s CEO Simon Kilonback said: “SGN is incredibly proud to mark this important milestone for green energy in Scotland with the First Minister. We are working in partnership with the local community and look forward to welcoming them to our demonstration homes.
“We believe H100 Fife can act as a catalyst for regional decarbonisation, positioning Scotland at the forefront of the transition to net zero.
“However, this project is also far more than just a hydrogen for home heating trial and will provide key evidence to support the development of the hydrogen economy, whether that be production, storage, distribution or operations.”
SGN is partnering with Fife College to open the UK’s first hydrogen training facility in the coming months, located just a mile away from the H100 Fife network in the college’s Levenmouth campus.
Existing Gas Safe engineers in the region will be upskilled at the facility on how to fit new hydrogen appliances and connect homes taking part in H100 Fife to the new 8.4km hydrogen network which was completed last year.
During the event, the street on which the newly constructed homes are built was officially named ‘Newhaven Street’2 by students from local school Denbeath Primary, highlighting historic links to nearby Methil docks.
Did you know reusing everyday items can save money, reduce waste and help tackle climate change? Here are some easy tips to try today:
• Glass Jars: Perfect for storage, candle holders, or even flower vases. • Old Clothes: Turn them into cleaning rags, pet bedding, or fun tote bags. • Tin Cans: Make herb planters, pencil holders, or night lights. • Plastic Containers: Great for leftovers, organising toys, or planting seeds.
Is unpredictable weather disrupting your access to childcare, essential services, and daily routines, or are the rising prices of fresh produce making it harder to provide healthy options for your family?
Add your voice to the Edinburgh is Changing campaign – share your story today!
Communities which are most at risk from the impacts of climate change will benefit from Scottish Government funding which will support them to prepare for climate changes ahead.
The Scottish Government will provide £40,000 to Regions4 to deliver a project focused on the emerging area of ‘just resilience’.
The term broadly refers to actions which prepare countries and regions for the known impacts of climate change – whilst recognising that those least responsible for climate change are often most impacted by it.
The project will help create a standardised definition of the term and identify examples of best practice – to help countries in global south access funding to prepare for the impacts of climate change, such as flooding, fire and disease. It will also assess bids from communities within Regions4 partner regions and match relevant projects with suitable funding.
The Scottish Government will also provide £200,000 to help develop cholera vaccine testing in Malawi and Zambia.
These countries have been experiencing a surge of cases brought about by the impacts of climate change. This funding builds on the Scottish Government’s existing partnerships with both countries, and will strengthen local capacity for vaccine testing, distribution and delivery.
Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Climate justice is at the heart of COP29 – and the Scottish Government is working to ensure that it supports and champions the voice of communities from the global south.
“Just Resilience has the potential to make a significant impact upon the lives of those most affected by climate change and this project represents a rare opportunity for the Scottish Government to lead on an emerging field of climate action in a way that is in line with our climate justice principles.
“By supporting the development of a globally recognised definition of just resilience, as well as identifying examples of best practice – countries and regions will be able to better identify opportunities for funding and support.
“Ensuring that everyone has access to safe and effective vaccines is also critical – as cases of diseases such as cholera become more prevalent as a direct consequence of climate change.
“These two projects are the latest examples of our work as a good global citizen and further developing the resilience of countries in the global south against the impacts of climate change.”
Speaking about the Just Resilience fund, Regions4 Secretary General, Natalia Uribe said: “Scotland’s contribution to the Just Resilience Project shows an invaluable commitment to advancing climate and biodiversity action that is both fair and inclusive.
“This support allows Regions4 to bring the concept of Just Resilience to life by capturing and sharing transformative actions from subnational governments in the Global South.
“By establishing frameworks, sharing best practices, and fostering collaboration, we are building the capacity of local governments to implement resilient solutions that prioritize the needs of communities most vulnerable to climate impacts.
“Together, we are working to empower these communities, ensuring that they are equipped to face climate challenges and have a central role in protecting our shared future.”
UK government announces new climate goals at COP29, including reducing emissions by 81% by 2035, as Prime Minister calls on other countries to bring forward ambitious targets
New UK target to reduce emissions by 81% by 2035 at COP29 in Azerbaijan
targets support government’s clean energy superpower mission to give Britain more security, deliver jobs and economic growth
Prime Minister calls for others to come forward with ambitious targets
Tackling the climate crisis is essential to our national energy security, economic growth, and our efforts to protect current and future generations, the UK government said as it unveils the UK’s new climate goals at the COP29 Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Yesterday’s announcement will strengthen the UK’s position as a place for investment in the technologies and jobs that are driving growth across the world.
There are 640,000 green jobs in the UK, growing at a rate 4 times faster than overall UK employment.
To support the industry the government has announced a significant investment programme in homegrown British energy – including renewables, carbon capture and storage, nuclear and hydrogen.
The UK’s reliance on fossil fuels has also been felt by every family and business in the last few years with the worst cost of living crisis in memory, driven by energy price spikes from international gas markets.
That’s why the government’s mission is to tackle the climate crisis in a way that makes the British people better off by investing in clean homegrown power and unlocking thousands of jobs, having already seen £34.8 billion of private investment into the UK’s clean energy industries since July.
This ambitious and pragmatic new target supports the UK’s mission for growth, helping to attract further investment and jobs in low carbon technologies such as solar and wind, electric vehicles and batteries.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “The only way to protect current generations is by making Britain a clean energy superpower, and the only way to protect future generations is by tackling the climate crisis.
“Britain is back in the business of climate leadership, with an ambitious new target that will protect our environment, deliver energy security and restore our global climate reputation.
“We will cut emissions across the country, delivering for our environment and ending our exposure to spiking fossil fuel markets.”
This ambitious and pragmatic new target – in line with the recommendation from the Climate Change Committee and previously legislated and legally-binding Carbon Budgets for the same period.
The target forms what is called the UK’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC): commitments that countries make to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change. It is aligned to 1.5C.
The UK has called for other countries to match the UK’s ambition to address the urgency of climate change, following stark warnings from the United Nations that the world is way off track to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C.
Since July the government has:
lifted the ban on onshore wind in England
delivered a record number of clean energy projects through its renewables auction
consented unprecedented amounts of nationally significant solar – 2GW – more than the last 14 years combined
launched Great British Energy backed by £8.3 billion to speed up the deployment of clean technologies
fired the starting gun on the UK’s carbon capture, usage and storage industry, with funding agreed for 2 clusters in Teesside and the North West
Globally, the costs of renewables continue to fall, with solar and wind now cheaper than existing coal and gas power plants in most of the world.
Recent analysis from the International Energy Agency found that in 2023 for every $1 spent on fossil fuels, $1.7 was spent on clean energy. Global energy investment is set to be over $3 trillion in 2024, with $2 trillion of this on clean energy technologies and infrastructure.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s National Statement at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan yesterday:
The United Kingdom is determined to stand alongside those countries on the frontline of the climate crisis today…
And to seize the opportunities of tomorrow.
Because action on climate now is the route towards economic growth…
Energy security…
Better jobs….
And national security in the long term.
To deliver on the Paris Agreement…
And keep 1.5 degrees within reach.
In the first 100 days of my government…
We launched Great British Energy – to create clean British power…
We created a National Wealth Fund – to invest in the green industries and jobs of the future…
We scrapped the ban on onshore wind…
Committed to no new North Sea oil and gas licences….
And closed the UK’s final coal power plant at the end of September – becoming the first G7 economy to phase out coal power.
In line with the international agreement at COP28 to transition from fossil fuels…
and the UK’s ambitious goal to be the first major economy to deliver clean power by 2030.
Today I can confirm – three months ahead of deadline…
The UK’s 2035 international target –
Our nationally determined contribution –
to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81% on 1990 levels….
Aligned with 1.5 degrees.
And we urge all Parties –
To come forward with ambitious targets of their own…
As we all agreed at the last COP.
We will work in partnership…
to support other countries to develop their own commitments…
And transition through our forthcoming Global Clean Power Alliance –
And finance will be its first focus.
We will honour the commitment made by the previous government…
to provide £11.6 billion in of climate finance between April 2021 and March 2026….
But we must use public finance as a multiplier…
To unlock much more private investment…
And reform our international financial institutions.
Today we launch the new CIF Capital Market Mechanism, listed on the London Stock Exchange…
With the potential to mobilise up to $75 billion…
in additional climate capital for developing countries over the next decade.
Putting the UK’s role as a global financial centre…
at the service of driving the green finance and green energy transitions.
Climate action is at the heart of this government’s mission for the protection and prosperity of Britain and the world.
Writ large across our domestic and international priorities…
We are taking the urgent action needed – to protect our planet and its people.
CARBON BUDGET APPROACH TO SETTING CLIMATE TARGETS AGREED
Legislation that will see Scotland move to using five year carbon budgets to set climate targets has been passed.
The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill amends the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 to introduce limits on the amount of greenhouse gases emitted in Scotland over a five-year period.
The move, which is based on recommendations from the independent Climate Change Committee (CCC), aims to provide a more reliable framework for emissions reduction. This is because the previous annual emissions targets are vulnerable to year-to-year fluctuations caused by events such as a particularly cold winter or a global pandemic.
The legislation enables the carbon budgets to be set through secondary legislation based on the expert advice from the Climate Change Committee. The Bill also changes the current deadline to finalise the next Climate Change Plan for Scotland so the Plan can align with the process for setting the new carbon budgets.
Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero Gillian Martin said: “Scotland is now halfway to net zero and continues to be ahead of the UK as a whole in delivering long term emissions reductions.
“The Scottish Government’s commitment to ending Scotland’s contribution to global emissions by 2045 at the latest, as agreed by Parliament on a cross-party basis, is unwavering. It is crucial that our target pathway to 2045 is set at a pace and scale that is feasible and reflects the latest independent expert advice.
“Carbon budgets are an established model for assessment of emissions reductions used by other nations including Japan, France, England and Wales, and they will include emissions from international aviation and shipping and there will be no provision to “carry over” emissions from one carbon budget to another.
“We will continue leading on climate action that is fair, ambitious and capable of rising to the emergency before us and reflects our commitment to the ambition of credible emissions reduction.”
The Stop Climate Chaos coalition have written to First Minister John Swinney:
A placard created by an eight-year-old climate activist during the School Strike for Climate in 2019, will go on display for the first time in a major new exhibition at Perth Museum.
Bridget, now 14, from Edinburgh has been reunited with her artwork at the National Museums Collection Centre before it goes on loan to Perth Museum for Waters Rising, opening 8 November 2024.
The placard depicts the Earth as a melting ice cream cone, drawn in felt tip pen on a used cardboard box with a tree branch from Bridget’s garden as a handle. It was created for the School Strike for Climate, or Fridays for Future, demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament on 15 February 2019.
This youth-led protest movement was started by Greta Thunberg in 2018 and has since involved millions of young people around the world who skip Friday classes to demand action against climate change.
Bridget said: “My design was inspired by School Strike for Climate protests around the world, thinking about the climate emergency I could imagine the Earth melting like an ice cream.
“When I took part in the protest I was 8 –years old and I felt involved in a really big thing, but I never imagined my artwork would end up in a museum collection or part of an exhibition. It’s a really lovely thought that future generations might see this movement and hopefully know that we made a difference.”
Waters Rising is an exploration of the impact of flooding and climate breakdown on local Scottish communities and around the world. Bridget’s placard is one of a collection of objects going on loan from National Museums Scotland to the exhibition with the support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Highlights include a medallion and passport for citizens of the ‘Govan Free State’ produced by GalGael Trust to coincide with COP26, the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Glasgow in 2021.
Ashleigh Hibbins, Head of Audiences and Learning at Culture Perth and Kinross said: “We are so excited to be able to include this important piece of modern Scottish history in the Waters Rising exhibition at Perth Museum.
“Young people are the least responsible yet most impacted by the climate crisis, so it is critical that their voices and perspectives are heard. We hope visitors to the exhibition will be inspired by Bridget’s piece and others to take action against environmental breakdown.”
National Museums Scotland is committed to positively engaging audiences with themes of climate change and biodiversity loss through public programmes, research, and by collecting contemporary material associated with these themes.
Mhairi Maxwell, Curator of Modern & Contemporary History at National Museums Scotland said: “I am delighted that Bridget’s protest artwork is going on display for the first time. The placard perfectly captures a young Scot’s perspective on the climate crisis.
“I am so pleased we can work with Perth Museum to share our contemporary collections and highlight the experiences of Scottish people in the face of this global emergency. Thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for their support of our national partnership programme.”
This loan is part of National Museums Scotland’s National Strategy, which sees collections and expertise shared through loans, participation in national projects, community engagement, funding for acquisitions and free knowledge and skills development opportunities for museums across Scotland.
Over 2500 objects are currently on loan to Scottish organisations, bringing the National Collection to audiences across the country.
KNITTERS URGE FIRST MINISTER NOT TO CROSS CLIMATE ‘RED LINE’
A group of concerned citizens calling themselves the ‘North Sea Knitters’ gathered outside the Scottish Parliament yesterday to knit a ‘red line’, representing the critical limit of 1.5 degrees of global temperature rise.
Taking place during Scottish Climate Week, as the ‘Knitting for Climate’ group gathers outside the EU Parliament in Brussels, the North Sea Knitters’ message was simple: the Scottish Government needs to stop blaming the climate crisis on individuals and use its powers to speed the phase out of fossil fuels.
The group spoke to MSPs and gave out their famous hand-knitted red scarves to remind them not to lose sight of the 1.5 degrees limit of warming enshrined in the Paris Agreement.
Several MSPs including the First Minister could be seen sporting the red scarves and discussing vital climate issues like the Stop Rosebank campaign, the Peterhead gas power station, and the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The Scottish Government is currently considering whether to approve a controversial new gas burning power station in Peterhead which would prolong the lifetime of the fossil fuel industry and lock the public into high energy bills and fuel poverty.
Chris Aldred, a member of the North Sea Knitters Group, said: “Knitting is a craft that has been passed down through generations. It symbolises the hope that we can pass on, not just our skills, but a thriving future for all that come after us.
“The knitted red line represents the 1.5C threshold of dangerous planetary warming that nations have committed not to cross. Our scarves are being created through concern, uncertainty and fear for the future, but also through our joy, love and unity.
“The Scottish Government says that climate is a priority but it must turn these words into concrete action to cut pollution now and into the future. This means using its power to firmly reject new fossil fuels, standing up to the oil industry and prioritising the needs of workers through the transition.
“We are allied with our European friends in Knitting for Climate, a movement of people using the art of knitting to express concern over climate change and inadequate political response to the crisis that is already affecting us all. Through our grassroots efforts, we demand climate justice.”
The knitters’ demands for the Scottish Government are:
+ Refuse all on-shore planning permission for fossil fuel infrastructure, including the proposed new gas plant at Peterhead. + Oppose and work to halt extraction from all new oil and gas fields, including Rosebank. + Ensure all public subsidies and tax concessions to fossil fuel companies are revoked. + Back the call for a Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty. + Ensure that workers and communities have a Just Transition to renewables, without allowing the fossil fuel industry to call the shots for the transition.
Plan to help communities understand how climate change impacts their lives
Communities and businesses across Scotland will be given support and tools to help tackle the unavoidable impacts of climate change as part of the Scottish Government’s new National Adaptation Plan.
The Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029 (SNAP3) sets out a comprehensive suite of more than 200 actions and proposals for managing the current and future impacts of climate change in Scotland.
Climate change means Scotland will experience more extreme weather. Flooding, water scarcity and hot weather can damage our environment, disrupt public transport and affect our supply of foods, vital goods and services. This means that households, communities, businesses and organisations across Scotland are having to consider the impacts of climate change more than ever.
It includes how sectors including agriculture, transport and health as well as businesses and communities will prepare for more extreme weather events, such as flooding, water scarcity and extreme periods of heat.
These include:
£5.5 million of funding this year to complete a national network of Community Climate Action Hubs to drive locally-led climate action across Scotland
investing £400million investment to Scotland’s railway infrastructure to reduce weather-related disruption
facilitating peer-to-peer support to local governments and public services to prepare for the impacts of climate change for local populations
providing advice and support to businesses on how they can future proof their workplaces through practical check-lists on how to prepare for the impacts of climate change
ensuring the NHS Scotland estate is prepared and equipped to deal with extreme heat and flooding
Launching the plan at a visit to the Restoring the River Leven project, First Minister John Swinney said: “While we must ensure Scotland continues to play its part in addressing the causes of climate change, we must also be ready to deal with the impacts that are already locked in giving us wetter winters, drier summers and more weather-related disruption.
“Our new Adaptation Plan is our most comprehensive response to protecting people’s lives and livelihoods against the risks of climate change – with over 200 actions to build climate resilience in our communities, businesses, public services and natural environment.
“I am proud to lead a Scotland that is driving forward the race to net zero, whilst ensuring that our country is ready for the impacts of climate change that we are already experiencing. This can be demonstrated through the Leven River Restoration Project, which has adapted the local landscape to help reduce the amount of flooding in the area, whilst restoring and encouraging wildlife and nature to flourish. It is a fantastic example of how collaborative working can use nature to adapt to the challenges we face at the same time as delivering benefit for the local community.”
Nicole Paterson, Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment protection Agency (SEPA), said: “Scotland’s natural environment is globally renowned and our water environment, as we can see in Leven today, is central to our environmental, economic and social success. Scotland’s water quality is at its highest level ever, with more than 87% of our water environment achieving good or high classification for water quality, with an ambition to go further.
“Our climate is already changing and as Scotland’s environment agency, we’re at the forefront of working with partners to respond and adapt. The Water Environment Fund, including The Leven Project, is a very visible story for change and a great example of how public, private and community sector partners can successfully collaborate to improve water environments, boost flood resilience and deliver community benefits.
“In Scotland’s Climate Week, it’s fitting that we hear directly from young people and community partner’s who’ve worked so hard locally and who’s future depends on the work that together we do today.”
Fife Council Leader Councillor David Ross said: “”Fife Council welcomes the Scottish Government’s new Climate Change Adaptation Plan, which marks an important step forward in the collective fight against climate change.
“Much has changed since Fife Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and, although we have made significant progress on a number of fronts, we are committed to helping our communities prepare for, and respond to, the effects of climate change.
“The First Minister’s visit to the Restoring the River Leven project highlights the remarkable progress that can be achieved through strong partnership working, in this instance between Fife Council, SEPA, Fife Coast and Countryside Trust and local communities.
“This close collaboration has also led to – and will lead to – additional benefits through the Levenmouth Connectivity Project, the Active Travel Network and River Park Routes as well as The River Park Project that sit alongside the restoration project as part of the wider Leven Programme.
“Fife Council remains fully committed to leading the way in tackling climate change and we are proud to be part of initiatives that not only restore our natural environment but also build resilience for the future.”
Jeremy Harris, CEO at Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, said: “This project to restore the River Leven is a working example of different organisations coming together to deliver something that directly contributes to the outcomes laid out in the new Scottish National Adaptation Plan.
“The carefully considered interventions already under way will return the river to its more natural flowing state ensuring that nature connects through the Leven catchment and delivers direct benefits to the local communities.
“Improved infrastructure with the river at its centre will serve the surrounding communities and enrich the lives of those who make use of it. At Fife Coast and Countryside Trust our mission is to connect environment and people and this river restoration project, running through the heart of Levenmouth, is a wonderful example of how to do just that. I look forward to seeing the natural world and local communities flourish thanks to this work for years to come.”
