Tag: climate change

SEPA engages innovative modelling techniques to help Scotland better prepare for future increased flooding

SEPA is introducing new flood hazard mapping which will provide a clearer indication of surface water (also known as pluvial) flood risk now and in future. This will enable people, communities and businesses to better understand the risks and act to reduce the impact of surface water flooding.

The introduction of the new mapping will support delivery of SEPA’s Flooding Services Strategy being published in autumn 2021. It is key to the organisation’s vision of a society that is resilient to flooding and adapted to future climate change.

Surface water flood maps have been publicly available on the SEPA website since 2013, however, our 2018 National Flood Risk Assessment identified surface water as the largest source of flood risk affecting Scotland.

The mapping, which will be provided by JBA Consulting, will provide a complete refresh of our national surface water flood maps using the most up-to-date data on current and future rainfall, improving our flood map products to provide more confident results of where surface water flooding is likely.

The project will involve an initial pilot stage which will trial high resolution modelling and mapping methodologies, and a range of model assumptions and parameters across four pilot areas: Aberdeen, Glasgow, Peebles and Torridon. When the pilot stage ends early next year, an agreed approach will be rolled out across Scotland and the mapping will be produced in a sequence of 11 geographical phases.

Vincent Fitzsimons, Head of Hydrology & Flooding at SEPA, said: “The latest landmark climate change report from the IPCC is a clarion call for what the world already knows, that the climate emergency is accelerating. SEPA is urgently responding to ensure Scotland’s communities and businesses are resilient to flooding and adapted to future climate change impacts.

“A major part of this is to ensure information on flood risk is available to those who need it most. This means we need to continually improve the quality and availability of our flood map products, with a particular focus on surface water flood risk.

“Our significant investment in this project to improve surface water flood hazard mapping for Scotland is one step on the journey to ensure people and businesses are resilient to flooding and adapted to our changing environment.”

David Bassett, Director, JBA Consulting said: “We’re delighted to be appointed by SEPA to complete the national surface water flood hazard mapping for Scotland. We have been working on flood risk in Scotland for over 20 years and in that time our technical experts have accrued excellent knowledge of the risk and the issues, and the structures in place to help.

“Scottish Government surface water management planning guidance issued in 2018, highlighted that 23% of annual average damages associated with flooding across Scotland were forecast to come from surface water flooding. Of the 27,500 homes predicted to be at risk, 39% are in areas of higher social vulnerability.

“Climate change was also predicted to increase the numbers of homes and businesses at risk by 45%.

“With flood events never far from the news headlines, recent surface water flooding in Edinburgh showed the vulnerability of many urban areas. The role of consistent 2m grid surface water flood risk mapping across Scotland is more important than ever, and we’re pleased to lead on this national mapping project.”

Support to protect Scotland’s coastlines

New maps forecast impacts of climate change

An estimated £1.2 billion of Scotland’s buildings, transport infrastructure, cultural and natural heritage may be at risk of coastal erosion by 2050, according to new research.

As part of the Scottish Government’s Dynamic Coast project, funded by the Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW), the University of Glasgow has developed new maps to serve as a coastal change adaptation planning tool for government, agencies, local authorities as well as communities and businesses.

With evidence from the maps, the government is encouraging local authorities to prepare coastal adaptation plans, supported by an additional £12 million of investment. In recognition of the heightened landscape of climate-related risk in Scotland, Dynamic Coast will form part of a wider national programme to build resilience.

The Scottish Government has also already announced plans to host a National Climate Resilience Summit in the Autumn, to raise awareness and build momentum across the public and private sectors in advance of COP26.

Net Zero Secretary Michael Matheson visited the sand dunes in Montrose, which help protect the town from coastal flooding and erosion.

Mr Matheson said: “I welcome the publication of Dynamic Coast 2 which shows us that at least £20 billion of assets, road, rail and residential property, lie within 50 metres of our coast. With nature protecting some £14.5 billion of these assets, maintaining our natural coastal defences must be a key part of our resilience and adaptation strategies.  

“We are already locked into future sea level rise and therefore we must plan for the worst case scenario on the coast. Modelling suggests however that we will see erosion influencing the majority of shores this decade. The Dynamic Coast maps will be a valuable tool in our fight against climate change, and we are now preparing guidance to help local authorities produce new adaptation plans.

“Here in Montrose, up to 80 metres of beach has eroded since the 1980s and a further 120 metres could erode over the next 40 years, breaching the main dune ridge. Angus Council is working with local stakeholders, including Montrose Port Authority and Montrose Golf links to identify the most sustainable solution for the town.

“COP26 in Glasgow represents the world’s best chance – perhaps one of our last chances – to avert the worst impacts of climate change. However, even in the best case scenario for global emissions reductions it is clear that we must also be preparing for the impacts that are already locked in.

“By doing this we can deliver on the principles of the Paris Agreement with lasting action to secure a net zero and climate resilient future in a way that is fair and just for everyone.”

NatureScot Climate Change Director Nick Halfhide said: “This latest research from Dynamic Coast highlights that natural defences, such as sand dunes, protect three times the value of roads, railways and buildings than sea walls do.

“That’s why we must invest in Scotland’s nature. Nature based solutions are essential in our response to the twin crises of nature loss and climate change, and with COP26 coming to Glasgow in the coming months, there’s no better time for Scotland to take ambitious action.”

Director of the Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) Professor Bob Ferrier said: “CREW is delighted to have supported the development and launch of the Dynamic Coast project.

“This nationally significant research will assist decision-makers and others to understand how Scotland’s coastal assets need to adapt to the pressures of climate change and improve our collective resilience in the face of this challenge.”

Largest recruitment drive this century for SP Energy Networks

  • SP Energy Networks has launched a recruitment drive for 152 green jobs to help support multi-billion pound network investment
  • Roles in engineering, construction, sustainability, analysis, safety, environmental planning available with the majority, 135, based in Central and Southern Scotland
  • These green jobs will be at the forefront of the transformation of the electricity network in the region and vital to delivering Net Zero

SP Energy Networks has launched its largest recruitment drive this century with 152 green jobs on offer over the next four months. The news was announced this morning as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited SP Energy Networks’ training centre, Dealain House, to announce the New Green Jobs Workforce Academy.

The 152 green jobs will be at the forefront of work to enhance the electricity network to enable the rapid uptake of renewables and low carbon technologies needed to help Scotland and the wider UK reach its Net Zero target.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:“To help tackle climate change Scotland is already investing in green skills and attracting new green job opportunities. It is great to see ScottishPower creating 135 new green jobs in Scotland and I would encourage other employers to follow their lead.

“The Academy’s career advisors stand ready to support individuals interested in these jobs access the right training to help their career progress.

“Looking ahead to COP26 in Glasgow in November, Scotland can be proud that our climate change ambitions, backed by investment in creating a highly skilled green workforce, will be showcased on an international stage.”

In the year when Glasgow hosts the UN’s climate change summit, COP26, the Glasgow headquartered company is pleased to be able to offer such a diverse range of green opportunities.

Frank Mitchell, CEO of SP Energy Networks, explains more: “With less than 100 days to go to COP26 in Glasgow, we’re bringing truly green jobs to Scotland to support the country with its ambitions to be Net Zero by 2045.

“These roles offer a variety of career opportunities in a company that is committed to Net Zero and is investing millions of pounds every single day to help bring about a cleaner, greener future.”

The majority of roles will be based in Central and Southern Scotland where SP Energy Networks is responsible for the operation and maintenance of over 4,000km of cables and lines that make up the transmission network. This network connects generation infrastructure like windfarms into the electricity system and transports that electricity onto towns and cities.

Over the next five years, SP Energy Networks is investing £2 billion in its transmission network to support the increase in renewable energy needed to meet Scotland’s climate change targets and to ensure a resilient and reliant network fit for the future as electricity demand grows.

To help deliver this investment, SP Energy Networks is recruiting 126 candidates who will work across a number of major projects to build a transmission network fit for Net Zero.

This increases the staff employed in SP Energy Networks Transmission business by over 25% and is on top of the 135 apprentices and graduates across SP Energy Networks who started this year.

An additional 26 positions will be recruited into SP Energy Networks Distribution business to accelerate projects that support Net Zero ambitions.

These posts offer long-term, skilled roles across varying disciplines including engineering, project management, construction, environmental planning and sustainability. 

Frank adds: “We currently directly employ around 2,700 staff and over the next 12 months we are embarking on our largest recruitment drive in over 20 years. This demonstrates the scale of work we’re about to begin, investing billions in our network to help the UK reach its climate change targets. 

“In our transmission business alone, we’re investing £2bn out to 2026 and we’re only just beginning. We also have very ambitious plans for our distribution businesses, and if our plans are agreed with Ofgem, we will be expanding these new 152 roles considerably.

“The opportunities we have range from Planning Engineers to Programme Analysts to Project Managers and offer long-term, green jobs that will be right at the heart of the transition to Net Zero through a green economic recovery.

“We’re about to start work on a number of major projects critical to helping Scotland achieve its climate ambitions and you could be part of it. I would encourage anyone with an interest to come forward and see if a career with SP Energy Networks is for you.”

Further information on the roles available can be found here: 

https://www.scottishpower.com/pages/energy_networks_opportunities.aspx

Climate Change: World must act now to prevent global catastrophe

Climate change widespread, rapid ... and intensifying – IPCC

Scientists are observing changes in the Earth’s climate in every region and across the whole climate system, according to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report, released today.

Many of the changes observed in the climate are unprecedented in thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of years, and some of the changes already set in motion—such as continued sea level rise—are irreversible over hundreds to thousands of years.

However, strong and sustained reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases would limit climate change. While benefits for air quality would come quickly, it could take 20-30 years to see global temperatures stabilize, according to the IPCC Working Group I report, Climate Change 2021: the Physical Science Basis, approved on Friday by 195 member governments of the IPCC, through a virtual approval session that was held over two weeks starting on July 26.

The Working Group I report is the first instalment of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), which will be completed in 2022.

“This report reflects extraordinary efforts under exceptional circumstances,” said Hoesung Lee, Chair of the IPCC. “The innovations in this report, and advances in climate science that it reflects, provide an invaluable input into climate negotiations and decision-making.”

Faster warming

The report provides new estimates of the chances of crossing the global warming level of 1.5°C in the next decades, and finds that unless there are immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, limiting warming to close to 1.5°C or even 2°C will be beyond reach.

The report shows that emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities are responsible for approximately 1.1°C of warming since 1850-1900, and finds that averaged over the next 20 years, global temperature is expected to reach or exceed 1.5°C of warming. This assessment is based on improved observational datasets to assess historical warming, as well progress in scientific understanding of the response of the climate system to human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.

“This report is a reality check,” said IPCC Working Group I Co-Chair Valérie Masson-Delmotte. “We now have a much clearer picture of the past, present and future climate, which is essential for understanding where we are headed, what can be done, and how we can prepare.”

Every region facing increasing changes

Many characteristics of climate change directly depend on the level of global warming, but what people experience is often very different to the global average. For example, warming over land is larger than the global average, and it is more than twice as high in the Arctic.

“Climate change is already affecting every region on Earth, in multiple ways. The changes we experience will increase with additional warming,” said IPCC Working Group I Co-Chair Panmao Zhai.

The report projects that in the coming decades climate changes will increase in all regions. For 1.5°C of global warming, there will be increasing heat waves, longer warm seasons and shorter cold seasons. At 2°C of global warming, heat extremes would more often reach critical tolerance thresholds for agriculture and health, the report shows.

But it is not just about temperature. Climate change is bringing multiple different changes in different regions – which will all increase with further warming. These include changes to wetness and dryness, to winds, snow and ice, coastal areas and oceans.

For example:

● Climate change is intensifying the water cycle. This brings more intense rainfall and associated flooding, as well as more intense drought in many regions.

● Climate change is affecting rainfall patterns. In high latitudes, precipitation is likely to increase, while it is projected to decrease over large parts of the subtropics. Changes to monsoon precipitation are expected, which will vary by region.

● Coastal areas will see continued sea level rise throughout the 21st century, contributing to more frequent and severe coastal flooding in low-lying areas and coastal erosion. Extreme sea level events that previously occurred once in 100 years could happen every year by the end of this century.

● Further warming will amplify permafrost thawing, and the loss of seasonal snow cover, melting of glaciers and ice sheets, and loss of summer Arctic sea ice.

● Changes to the ocean, including warming, more frequent marine heatwaves, ocean acidification, and reduced oxygen levels have been clearly linked to human influence. These changes affect both ocean ecosystems and the people that rely on them, and they will continue throughout at least the rest of this century.

● For cities, some aspects of climate change may be amplified, including heat (since urban areas are usually warmer than their surroundings), flooding from heavy precipitation events and sea level rise in coastal cities.

For the first time, the Sixth Assessment Report provides a more detailed regional assessment of climate change, including a focus on useful information that can inform risk assessment, adaptation, and other decision-making, and a new framework that helps translate physical changes in the climate – heat, cold, rain, drought, snow, wind, coastal flooding and more – into what they mean for society and ecosystems.

This regional information can be explored in detail in the newly developed Interactive Atlas interactive-atlas.ipcc.ch as well as regional fact sheets, the technical summary, and underlying report.

Human influence on the past and future climate

“It has been clear for decades that the Earth’s climate is changing, and the role of human influence on the climate system is undisputed,” said Masson-Delmotte.

Yet the new report also reflects major advances in the science of attribution – understanding the role of climate change in intensifying specific weather and climate events such as extreme heat waves and heavy rainfall events.

The report also shows that human actions still have the potential to determine the future course of climate. The evidence is clear that carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main driver of climate change, even as other greenhouse gases and air pollutants also affect the climate.

“Stabilizing the climate will require strong, rapid, and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and reaching net zero CO2 emissions. Limiting other greenhouse gases and air pollutants, especially methane, could have benefits both for health and the climate,” said Zhai.

SEPA: Water scarcity still affecting Scotland, despite heavy rainfall

  • Businesses and individuals abstracting water are being warned that action is needed now to protect water resources, despite heavy rainfall across much of the country.
  • Areas affected by water scarcity due to recent warm, dry weather were often not the same areas as those hit by flooding this week.
  • Significant and Moderate Scarcities remain in place in many areas of northern and south-western Scotland.
  • A short period of heavy rainfall is not sufficient to make up this shortfall of rainfall and much of it may quickly run off the dry soils without soaking in. This is why it is possible to have heavy rain and even the possibility of some surface water flooding at the same time as we are warning about water scarcity.

The latest weekly Water Scarcity Situation Report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) shows that, despite heavy rainfall and thundery showers across much of mainland Scotland this week, the majority of the country is still seeing the impacts of water scarcity.

  • Significant scarcity – Wigtownshire area of Galloway, Helmsdale, Naver and the Wick area of Caithness
  • Moderate scarcity – Western Isles, Orkney, Doon, Ayr, Clyde and Irvine
  • Alert – all other catchments in the south of Scotland, many catchments down the east coast as well as a few west coast catchments
  • Early warning – the rest of the country with the exception of Spey, Loch Linnhe and Lochy which remain in normal conditions.

Abstractors must take action now

Water abstractors licenced by SEPA should have a plan to deal with the range of conditions they may experience. They should monitor their water usage and equipment to ensure they are operating at maximum efficiency and avoiding any unnecessary leakage. 

By taking the right steps now, abstractors can help make the water supplies on which they and others depend last as long as possible through this period.

  • Work together to secure the water available – speak with other water users in your catchment to discuss allocating different times for abstracting to minimise any potential impacts.
  • Check irrigation equipment is not leaking.
  • Consider trickle irrigation.
  • Irrigate at night to avoid evaporation if you can.
  • Do not over-spray.
  • Start planning now in case you need to – if you need a new borehole to do this, if your business is having difficulty obtaining water supply or is concerned about meeting licence conditions you should contact SEPA as soon as possible at WaterScarcity@sepa.org.uk.

SEPA can provide advice on a series of straightforward steps that can be taken to reduce stress on Scotland’s water environment and staff are available to provide advice and guidance. However, if businesses deliberately fail to follow the abstraction guidelines set out by SEPA this may result in enforcement action.  

Abstractors in catchments at Alert level or above, have been contacted to advise them of the conditions and relevant actions they should take as outlined in our National Water Scarcity Plan and requested to carry out checks to their equipment, consider upcoming water needs and follow best practice (such as irrigating at night).

We are also checking all abstractions in Significant Scarcity areas to determine what actions can be taken and work is ongoing with Scottish Water to protect supplies.

Rainfall and records

SEPA warned in the Spring that water scarcity conditions could deteriorate quickly if a period of prolonged dry weather returned later in the year.

  • Scotland experienced an extremely dry April, with less than a third of the usual rainfall across a large part of the southern country. This caused water levels to fall rapidly and ground conditions became increasingly dry.
  • Wet weather in early May partly balanced this in some areas of the country, but in others it remained quite dry.
  • Scotland as a whole had less than half the normal rainfall for June (45%) and was 1.4 degrees C warmer than usual. Ground conditions continued to dry rapidly over the last two weeks of the month.
  • While the beginning of July saw some locally intense rain, but it was not enough to lead to a sustained improvement. 

Extreme weather is becoming more and more common

Terry A’Hearn, Chief Executive at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said:  “The mixture of extreme rainfall, thundery showers, and significant water scarcity that we’ve seen this week in Scotland shows that we are very much living through more extreme weather patterns – and one does not balance out the other.

“This is just one of the many consequences of climate change Scotland is facing, and it is becoming more common.  

“Everyone knows that water is a vital resource. We need to get used to the idea that, even in a water-abundant nation like Scotland, it is a finite resource – as shown by the increasing severity of the water scarcity picture in large areas of the country.

“Water scarcity is resulting in pressures on the environment and water users and businesses abstracting water must take action now to conserve water. 

“My message is clear: SEPA is here to offer support and guidance, so if you are having difficulty obtaining water supply or are concerned about meeting licence conditions get in touch.

“If you work with us and try to do the right thing in this next period, you will find a helpful and supportive regulator. If you deliberately do the wrong thing by the environment and other water users, then you’ll get the uncompromising regulator your behaviour deserves.”

Public and private water supplies

Scottish Water is reminding people across Scotland to use water efficiently after confirming that demand is so high during the warm weather that it’s had to produce more than 200 million litres of extra water per day nationwide in the last fortnight to maintain normal supplies.

More information on saving water is available at www.scottishwater.co.uk/savewater.

Those concerned about private water supply levels should contact their local authority.   

Concerns about watercourses

SEPA continually assesses the impacts of prolonged periods of drier than average weather on our environment. The public can report dry private water supplies and rivers and burns in your area. This will help us have the best possible understanding of the impacts of dry weather.

Send your information to lowflowimpacts@sepa.org.uk

Water scarcity and fish

The prolonged period of dry weather that has led to water scarcity across the country can put a lot of pressure on rivers, which are running exceptionally low and experiencing high water temperatures.

We may see impacts on wildlife across the country as a result, including dead fish. Heavy rain showers, such as those we have seen this week, following the prolonged period of dry weather, will wash pollutants that have been accumulating on roads and pavements and in drains into watercourses.

This first flush of pollutants, particularly into rivers that are still low, can lead to fish kills.

Water shortages support

Bottled water provided to affected households

People with reduced private water supplies following recent warm weather will be offered free bottled water through a Scottish Government support scheme. 

Public water supplies, which the vast majority of households in Scotland use, are not affected.

The Scottish Government continues to invest in the public network, reducing leakage and increasing efficiency which helps preserve water in the environment, and is working to develop technologies to enhance private water supply resilience.

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson has urged people across the country to continue to use water efficiently. He said: “Scotland has been experiencing warm, dry conditions over the last few weeks, but this has consequences for water scarcity.

“It’s likely that the drying up of private water supplies so early in the summer is a clear indication of the impacts of climate change.

“Most of us take for granted that clean drinking water is available at a turn of a tap.  However, for private water supply users this is not necessarily the case following a prolonged dry and hot spell of weather.

“With climate change at the forefront of all our minds, this is a stark reminder of the need to conserve water as one of our most precious natural resources.

!Whether you have been affected by the recent shortages or not, I urge all households to use water wisely and to take note of the advice issued by Scottish Water – it benefits all of us and is good for our planet. ”

Alok Sharma brings 51 countries together for ‘critical’ climate discussions ahead of COP26

51 countries – but no seat for Scotland

  • Ministers arrive in London to discuss key issues that require resolution at COP26
  • COP26 President hopes to build common ground and sketch the outline of the Glasgow outcome ahead of summit
  • US, India, China among 50+ countries represented at two-day ministerial meeting in a combination of virtual and in-person attendance

Today [Sunday] the COP26 President-Designate, Alok Sharma, will bring climate and environment ministers and representatives from more than 50 countries together to lay the groundwork for success ahead of November’s COP26 negotiations.

The event marks the first face-to-face ministerial of its kind in more than 18 months. With fewer than 100 days to go until the critical UN climate change conference, Mr Sharma is convening the meeting in London to shape the vision of the final outcomes from COP26, and build a “unity of purpose to deliver them”.

The two-day meeting will see major emitters like the US and China in discussion with countries that are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as Jamaica, Costa Rica, Rwanda and The Marshall Islands.

The ministerial will cover the UK COP Presidency’s key goal of keeping the critical 1.5C temperature rise limit alive. Topics under discussion include mobilising climate finance, scaling up efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change, loss and damage caused by climate change, and finalising the “rulebook” for implementation of the Paris Agreement, with a focus on Article 6, which sets out how countries can reduce emissions using international carbon markets and non-market approaches.

Ahead of the ministerial, Alok Sharma said: “We are facing perilous times for our planet and the only way we will safeguard its future is if countries are on the same path. As ministers responsible for tackling climate change, we hold the weight of the world on our shoulders, and the next two days will be nothing short of critical.

“With Parties coming from differing standpoints and perspectives, the world will be watching to see whether we come together in Glasgow and do what is necessary to turn things around in this decisive decade. So it is essential that together we roll up our sleeves, find common ground and collectively draw out how we will build a greener, brighter future for our children and future generations.

The UK intends for the informal, closed-door meeting to encourage frank conversations so that Parties can find ways forward when they meet again in November.

The COP26 President added: “Ministers should not be afraid to draw out areas of disagreement whilst maintaining a spirit of cooperation. I hope that we can use this opportunity to discuss tangible solutions, and that our friends leave this meeting with a clearer vision of the final outcomes from Glasgow, as well as a unity of purpose to deliver them.

Mr Sharma will remind ministers that to achieve the goal of keeping 1.5 degrees within reach, we must put the planet on a path to driving down emissions with mid-century net zero commitments and ambitious 2030 emissions reduction targets; protect people and nature from the impacts of climate change; get finance flowing to climate action, and work together to ensure the negotiations are a success. He will also stress the need for urgent action to phase out coal and internal combustion engine vehicles, as well as to end deforestation.

And he will reiterate his commitment to ensuring all voices are heard throughout the COP26 process. While the majority of participants will attend in person so as to build strong inter-ministerial relationships ahead of Glasgow, the COP Presidency has facilitated virtual participation for those unable to travel to London.

Representatives from the following Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are expected to participate:

  • Antigua & Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Bangladesh
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Cuba
  • Denmark
  • DRC
  • Egypt
  • Ethiopia
  • European Union
  • Fiji
  • France
  • Gabon
  • Germany
  • Grenada
  • Guinea
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Kenya
  • The Marshall Islands
  • Morocco
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Pakistan
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Peru
  • Poland
  • Russia
  • Rwanda
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Singapore
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Turkey
  • UAE
  • USA

Scots turned off by partners who leave the lights on

Nation becomes more environmentally conscious

  • Adults in Scotland that live with their partner pinpoint leaving lights on as the thing that shocked them most when they moved in together
  • The survey was commissioned by BT as part of their commitment to combatting climate change and showing how tech can help the nation live more sustainably
  • Switching to an electric vehicle, recycling more and switching to a renewable energy provider among the top ‘climate resolutions’ Scots would make to fight climate change
  • BT’s Smarter Living Challenge recently uncovered the powerful impact UK households can have on their carbon emissions by using technology to support simple sustainable lifestyle changes

Leaving the lights on, switching the heating on unnecessarily and putting recycling in with general waste topped a list of things that shocked Scots about their partner when they moved in together, research has revealed.

The survey, commissioned by BT, showed that these more environmentally friendly concerns trumped the more traditional gripes, such as snoring, not tidying up after themselves and chewing loudly.

The findings suggest a trend of couples becoming more environmentally conscious: a third of those questioned in Scotland believe they and their partner are doing more to live a greener life at home when compared to twelve months ago, prior to the Coronavirus pandemic, while almost a half of Scots (46%) encourage each other to be more sustainable.

Living a greener life has also brought almost a quarter (22%) of couples closer together. However, it is not always smooth sailing: More than half (55%) of those questioned in Scotland admitted that they have had a disagreement with their other half about the environment. 

While couples appear to be becoming more aware of environmental issues at home, the majority still think there is room for improvement, as just 41% believe they and/or their partner are sufficiently eco-conscious.

When asked which ‘climate change resolution’ they would make to live a greener life, recycling as much as possible emerged as the top choice (14%). Switching to an electric vehicle (13%) and only using the heating while necessary (12%) completed the top three, closely followed by switching to a renewable energy provider (11%).

As part of efforts to combat climate change, BT is helping to equip the nation with the digital skills needed to be more sustainable at home. The company aims to provide households with the knowledge and motivation needed to make small but sustainable lifestyle changes and is highlighting the important role technology has in making the household shift to sustainable living easier.

Just under a half of Scots questioned (43%) already have a smart technology appliance in their home, with nearly two thirds (63%) believing that advances in smart tech are helping their household to be more environmentally friendly.

Among the most popular appliances were a smart meter (56%), smart lighting (27%) and smart thermostats (37%).

Among those that don’t use smart tech, cost (37%), the belief that it can’t make a substantial difference (20%) and a perceived lack of understanding on how it works (20%) were among the top barriers to installing it at home.

BT recently announced the results of its Smarter Living Challenge, a partnership with environmental charity, Hubbub which highlighted the powerful impact UK households can have on their carbon emissions by using technology to support simple sustainable lifestyle changes.

The project found that when seven small, but sustainable actions were combined with technology, an average household could save £938 on their bills and up to 1.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) per year if adopted on a sustained basis.

Switching to smart LED lighting, for example, could save 65kg of CO2 emissions per household, while changing to a renewable energy tariff can save the average household around £270 on bills.

Andy Wales, Chief Digital Impact & Sustainability Officer at BT, said: “In the run up to the COP26 climate talks later this year, we want to show people up and down the country that it’s not just politicians and corporations who can make a difference in the fight against climate change, everyone has a part to play.

“At BT, we connect for good. Our technology, networks and products will underpin many of the solutions needed to become a net zero carbon economy and will act as a catalyst for a smarter, greener future. That’s why we would encourage all of our customers, colleagues and communities to make their own ‘climate resolutions’ because we know when small sustainable steps are supported by technology, they can make a huge impact.”

BT has led on climate action for three decades and has pledged to become a net zero carbon emissions business by 2045.

In 2020, BT completed the switch to 100% renewable electricity worldwide, which means citizens who buy mobile or broadband from EE, BT or Plusnet are now supplied by networks that are powered by 100% clean power.

To find out more about BT’s Smarter Living Challenge and the changes you can make to help fight climate change visit: https://www.hubbub.org.uk/bt-smarter-living-challenge 

To find out more about what BT is doing to help fight climate change, visit: 

https://www.bt.com/about/digital-impact-and-sustainability

Joanna Lumley supports Sacha Dench on circumnavigation of Britain by paramotor

Joanna Lumley, actor, presenter and activist has announced her support for Sacha Dench – known as the Human Swan – in her intrepid circumnavigation of mainland Britain by electric paramotor.

Joanna Lumley came across Sacha’s planned climate expedition through a crowdfunder call out for the expedition and was inspired to try and become more involved.

Joanna decided to just call Sacha, and as a result of that conversation Joanna will be following Sacha and meeting up with her at various places around the country as Sacha completes the Round Britain Climate Challenge.

They will be filming a documentary together for ITV as the journey progresses, in which Joanna will be the presenter.

Joanna said: “Sacha Dench’s adventures are stories you can only dream of –  facing down all barriers and blessed with the courage of a lioness she literally soars into history books, and inspires everyone who has the luck to follow her phenomenal challenges.

“Sacha is clawing attention towards the greatest crisis mankind has faced in recorded time. 

“Her journey is going to be irresistible and I shall be following her, on charts and in person, I am so proud to support her: with your help we shall be the wind beneath her wings.”

Sacha added: “ Joanna’s call came totally out of the blue and it’s just fantastic that Joanna is so supportive of this mission to look at how climate change is affecting different regions of the country – and highlight the amazing things that individuals, community organisations and companies are doing to combat it.

“We want to get everybody involved and one of our aims is to get 140,001 people to take personal climate action between 18 June and 17th July through Count Us In https://www.count-us-in.org/ – so please sign up now! If we achieve this number we’ll get a Guinness World Record too!

“I am so looking forward Joanna joining me to meet many of the inspiring people along the route.”

Letters: The threat to life from greedy Money-Makers

Dear Editor

Most everyone is aware of climate change and the great threat it poses for humankind as the changes sweep around the world. Livestock, all animals, birds, fish and sea creatures are all under threat.

The human race is threatened by water shortage, crop failures that are associated with drought and continued destruction of the world’s forests by financial interests acting solely in their own selfish interests of making money, despite knowing that the amount of oxygen needed by humans to live is dropping from 100% to 70%. Yet companies and financial interests continue to operate climate polluting industries.

These polluters, bug and small, must go. There is no alternative. These are polluters of air, water and the oceans which are not theirs to destroy to maximie money making.

Tony Delahoy

UK launches Blue Planet fund

G7 leaders expected to agree a series of measures to address the climate crisis and protect nature

  • G7 leaders to kick off new partnership on infrastructure investment today to propel global green economic growth, as they commit to increase international climate finance
  • UK launches £500m Blue Planet Fund to protect the ocean and marine biodiversity
  • Comes as the G7 is expected to endorse an ambitious Nature Compact to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030
  • Sir David Attenborough will address leaders on the importance of action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees on the final day of the G7 Summit in Cornwall

G7 leaders are expected to agree plans today (Sunday) to transform the financing of infrastructure projects in developing countries, part of a raft of measures at the Summit to address the climate crisis and protect nature.

The ‘Build Back Better for the World’ plan will bring together G7 countries under the UK’s presidency to develop an offer for high quality financing for vital infrastructure, from railways in Africa to wind farms in Asia.

The new approach is intended to give developing countries access to more, better and faster finance, while accelerating the global shift to renewable energy and sustainable technology. The Government will build on this with other countries ahead of the COP26 Summit in November.

The Prime Minister has also launched the UK’s Blue Planet Fund from the G7 Summit’s ocean-side setting in Cornwall. The £500 million fund will support countries including Ghana, Indonesia and Pacific island states to tackle unsustainable fishing, protect and restore coastal ecosystems like mangroves and coral reefs, and reduce marine pollution.

The G7 will endorse a Nature Compact at this afternoon’s meeting to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 – including supporting the global target to conserve or protect at least 30 percent of land and 30 percent of ocean globally by the end of the decade.

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Protecting our planet is the most important thing we as leaders can do for our people. There is a direct relationship between reducing emissions, restoring nature, creating jobs and ensuring long-term economic growth.

“As democratic nations we have a responsibility to help developing countries reap the benefits of clean growth through a fair and transparent system. The G7 has an unprecedented opportunity to drive a global Green Industrial Revolution, with the potential to transform the way we live.”

The G7 are also expected to commit to almost halve their emissions by 2030 relative to 2010. The UK is already going even further, pledging to cut emissions by at least 68% by 2030 on 1990 levels (58% reduction on 2010 levels).

Leaders will set out the action they will take to slash carbon emissions, including measures like ending all unabated coal as soon as possible, ending almost all direct government support for the fossil fuel energy sector overseas and phasing out petrol and diesel cars.

Sir David Attenborough, renowned British environmentalist and the UK’s COP26 People’s Champion, will address the leaders of the G7 countries plus guests Australia, India, South Korea and South Africa at a session on Climate and Nature later today and urge them to take action as the world’s leading economies to secure the future of our planet.

Sir David Attenborough, Environmentalist and COP26 People’s Champion, said: “The natural world today is greatly diminished. That is undeniable. Our climate is warming fast. That is beyond doubt. Our societies and nations are unequal and that is sadly is plain to see.

“But the question science forces us to address specifically in 2021 is whether as a result of these intertwined facts we are on the verge of destabilising the entire planet?

“If that is so, then the decisions we make this decade – in particular the decisions made by the most economically advanced nations – are the most important in human history.”

In addition to taking action at home, G7 leaders will commit to increase their contributions to international climate finance to meet the target of mobilising $100bn a year, which will help developing countries deal with the impacts of climate change and support sustainable, green growth.

This is the first-ever net-zero G7, with all countries having committed to reach net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest with ambitious reductions targets in the 2020s. The Leaders’ Summit is an important stepping-stone on the road to COP26, which the UK will host in Glasgow in November.

Covid, Climate and Constitution: briefing paper highlights key issues for Holyrood parliament

Dealing with the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, tackling the climate emergency and the post-Brexit devolution settlement will feature heavily in the work of the new Scottish Parliament, according to a new paper by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).

Published as our new MSPs return to Holyrood, the Key Issues for Session 6 paper outlines the challenges facing MSPs as they confront the scale of the COVID-19 recovery, with researchers stressing a balancing act is required to promote recovery while keeping new variants at bay.

Following Brexit, MSPs will also have to contend with the new constitutional arrangements and the impact on the powers of the Scottish Parliament. SPICe also highlight the ‘twin crisis’ of climate change and biodiversity loss, with significant changes expected in coming years to tackle this emergency across all sectors of the economy and society – raising the challenge of how Parliaments can best engage with and scrutinise disruptive change. 

The briefing explores 26 key issues alongside the three themes, covering each major area of devolved policy – from mental health provision and changes in family law, to the business base in Scotland and changing car use.

Speaking as the briefing was published, Clerk and Chief Executive of the Scottish Parliament David McGill said: “The Key Issues for Session 6 briefing is an example of the vital work that SPICe produces for parliamentarians. It outlines the key subjects likely to be of particular interest for the new Parliament with tailored, impartial analysis of the issues that matter to MSPs.

“While the new Session will deal with a range of issues over the next five years, SPICe has identified the broad themes likely to feature heavily in the work of the Parliament as well as the key issues from across all areas of devolved policy.

“This briefing can either be read from cover to cover or readers can dip into whichever issues interest them the most. I hope it proves to be both a thought provoking and useful reference tool in the months and years ahead.”

You can read the full briefing paper online here and via PDF copy here.