Tag: Climate Ready Edinburgh Plan

Residents and businesses encouraged to invest for a greener, healthier and fairer Edinburgh

EDINBURGH GREEN INVESTMENT PROGRAMME

The city council has launched a new investment programme enabling residents and businesses to invest in projects that contribute to a healthier, inclusive and thriving city.

The new investment initiative will give residents and local businesses the opportunity to support projects that reduce climate damaging emissions, prepare for the impacts of climate change and help to protect nature.

The Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and a nature emergency in 2023 reflecting the need for urgent and sustained action to reduce emissions and become a climate resilient and nature positive city.

Progress has already been made to make sure that Edinburgh is ready to cope with the challenges that a changing climate brings – the Climate Ready Edinburgh Plan and its associated  Implementation Plan include the approach the Council is taking to adapt and respond at a local and regional level.

While open to anyone, the new investment programme will enable Edinburgh residents and businesses to be actively involved by investing in projects that contribute to a healthier, inclusive and thriving city to live, work and do business in.

Funds will be used to deliver nature-based projects across the capital to reduce emissions, improve access to nature, offer cooler spaces during heatwaves, reduce flood risk during heavy rainstorms, and boost biodiversity.   

This investment phase will include tree planting and delivery of sustainable drainage systems such as rain gardens and rainwater planters in key parts of the city to prevent flooding.

The new investment programme, Edinburgh Green Investment, in partnership with Abundance Investment Ltd, encourages investment from a minimum of £5, with interest at a rate of 4.84%, paid every six months over the course of five years. The funding window will remain open until November 30 2026 or until the target of £1 million is reached.

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “We’re already seeing the effects of a changing climate in Edinburgh with warmer and wetter weather causing damage to property, travel disruption, flooding and wildfires.

“When we declared a climate and nature emergency and set out our commitment to tackle the causes and consequences of a changing climate, we knew we couldn’t do it alone and would need the support of partner organisations, residents and businesses. It is encouraging that we are already making positive progress to make sure we’re prepared for the inevitable changes we face, but there’s more to do.

“I’m pleased that, alongside the projects and plans already in progress, our new investment initiative will enable our residents and businesses to play their part – helping to support the delivery of projects that will benefit the places where they live, work and visit. By working together, we can make a meaningful difference to ensure we’re ready to cope with a changing climate.”

Council outlines action to manage heatwaves and respond to climate change

An update on the Council’s response to climate change and extreme weather was presented to councillors this week.

While Edinburgh fortunately hasn’t seen the severe high temperatures experienced by other parts of the UK and globally – the capital is not immune to a changing climate, with hotter and wetter weather anticipated to increase risk and create challenges for people, communities and businesses.

Work continues to make sure that Edinburgh is ready to cope with the challenges a changing climate brings – the Climate Ready Edinburgh Plan and its associated Implementation Plan include the strategic approach the Council is taking to adapt and respond at a local and regional level.

Positive progress on a range of measures to tackle the higher temperatures – across Council buildings and estate, in work with partners and developers, and among Council staff and residents – will help to mitigate climate change risks and increase Edinburgh’s resilience to extreme weather.

Key areas of work include:

  • Helping people stay safe in extreme weather such as heatwaves with clear and updated information on the Council website on how to keep cool in the heat.
  • Supporting schools to be resilient through implementation of a school severe weather plan including guidance on keeping school buildings cool, risk assessment information and how to support pupils.
  • Planting more trees across the capital to reach our ambitious target to become a million tree city by 2030 – currently at around 830,000 trees. More trees will provide shade and shelter for communities in addition to improving the city’s air quality.
  • Improving access to nature for residents and visitors, and supporting greater biodiversity by expanding the Edinburgh Nature Network – a long-term project to connect parks, woodlands, green spaces and waterways.
  • Providing easy access to water during hot weather through installation of water hydration stations, in partnership with Scottish Water, across some of the city’s busiest areas.
  • Developing an interactive online hub to support residents to take climate action through manageable changes to their homes and lifestyles, which will be hosted on our Net Zero Edinburgh website
  • Proactive work with partners to identify areas at risk of wildfire, put in place measures for managing and containing wildfires and to monitor and protect nature-sensitive areas.

As work continues, residents are encouraged to play their part in helping to reduce emissions, adapt their homes and support nature:

  • Where possible, walk, wheel, cycle or take the bus or tram rather than drive.
  • Reduce waste by recycling in the correct bins, including using a food waste bin and/or home compost.
  • Recycle or reuse household items by donating or buying items at local charity shops. Use the Edinburgh reuse tool to find sustainable options.
  • Support the One Million Tree project by growing local plants, trees and bushes in gardens or outside space – this will help local wildlife and help with adapting the city to climate change.
  • Save water by using a water butt or a rainwater planter to collect water which can be used to water plants.
  • Save energy in homes including by insulating, draft proofing and switching to energy saving LED lightbulbs

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “In Edinburgh we fortunately haven’t seen the extreme temperatures that those in the South of England have had to contend with this summer – but we are seeing warmer weather, more frequent storms and increased rainfall.

We aren’t being complacent and we knew when we declared a climate emergency that we needed to take action to tackle the causes of climate change and be ready to respond to its effects on our city.

“I’m pleased to see the progress we’re making against our plans to tackle both the city’s climate and nature emergencies, to make sure we’re prepared for a changing climate – and importantly to support residents and visitors to cope with warmer and wetter weather.

“I want to encourage residents to play their part by making small everyday changes to the way they do things that will collectively make a big difference.“

Positive progress on actions needed to adapt to climate change

Edinburgh is better prepared to cope with the effects of climate change thanks to progress made against a citywide action plan.

The first annual update on the Council’s Climate Ready Edinburgh Implementation Plan was presented to councillors yesterday (26 May).

Developed with partners, including Scottish Water, Edinburgh World Heritage and NatureScot, the two-year plan was agreed last March. It includes 125 actions required to deliver on the overarching Climate Ready Edinburgh Plan, which sets out the strategic approach needed to make sure that Edinburgh can adapt and respond locally to the risks and impact of climate change.

Tuesday’s update shows the positive progress made in the 12 months to March 2026, with 15 of the actions complete and 83 in progress and on track. These include:

  • Three new parks – Mill Lane Park, North Junction Street Park and Dalmeny Street Park – established in Leith as part of Edinburgh’s Nature Network – as part of a more strategic approach to manage, restore and enhance Edinburgh’s urban landscape. The new parks are vibrant community spaces, where both wildlife and people can thrive.
  • Delivery of a Climate Ready Craigleith project at Orchard Park to tackle frequent flooding of properties and streets. The project includes new sustainable drainage systems to help reduce flooding issues and increase biodiversity, alongside changes to the wider environment creating a pleasant place for people and wildlife.
  • A new cross-boundary river partnership for the Gogarburn area and progress of the Restore the Burn project. Addressing the impact that pollution, flooding and erosion have had on local communities, as well as the wildlife that lives along the burn, including an improved Active Travel Network and better-connected habitats with improved wildlife and biodiversity along the river corridor.
  • Production of new Edinburgh Design Guidance embedding climate adaptation, green-blue infrastructure and the nature crisis into how new development is shaped across the city. The guidance includes a focus on making sure that planning focuses on net zero, nature-positive places designed to limit greenhouse emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “We’re already seeing the impacts of a changing climate in Edinburgh, with more frequent severe storms causing flooding, damage to buildings and disruption to travel.

“We knew when we declared a climate emergency that we had to act quickly, both in terms of tackling the causes but also taking steps to prepare for the inevitable changes to the weather.

“We also knew we couldn’t do it alone and we needed the help of other city organisations – and our residents – to make a meaningful difference.

“I’m pleased, then, that we set the ambitious goals that we did, and that we’re now making good progress on delivering against our plans.

“As set out in this first annual update, we’ve completed a range of projects and initiatives that will make a real difference to communities in Edinburgh, while ensuring we’re better prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.”

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A ‘Motion For The Ocean’

SCOTLAND’S CAPITAL DECLARES URGENT NEED FOR OCEAN RECOVERY

In recognition of its coasts, canals, lochs and estuaries, Edinburgh has become the first Council in Scotland to adopt a ‘Motion for the Ocean’.

Launched by a group of ocean experts, the formal declaration commits local authorities to promote and prioritise ocean recovery during the United Nations’ Decade of the Ocean.

With waterways at the heart of Edinburgh’s environment, economy and community enjoyment, the pledge was taken by councillors on Thursday (28 August) following a motion from Councillor Conor Savage.

It will build on existing partnership working to consider improvements to water quality, sustainability and marine education – including the opportunity for all Edinburgh primary school pupils to experience the ocean first hand.

Following the decision, the Council Leader will write to the First Minister asking the Scottish Government to consider national protection of coastal communities, while officers will look at how ocean recovery can be achieved under the Council’s existing action plans and strategies, which include the Climate Ready Edinburgh Plan, Water Vision and Biodiversity Action Plan.

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “As a coastal city, we all need to take care of the fantastic waterways that surround us.

“This includes the Water of Leith which runs the breadth of Edinburgh, and the popular and well visited Firth of Forth which is home to a huge diversity of marine species and is one of the best places in Scotland to see passing dolphins.

“It is important that we play our part in protecting the waterways in and around our city. This new commitment supports not only our net zero target and the fight against climate change but the United Nation’s vision to address issues facing the ocean, so we can continue to protect and preserve our rivers and coasts for future generations.”

Council invests £500,000 to protect Edinburgh’s coastline

Work to restore the iconic timber groynes on Portobello beach has been completed by the city council.

The five timber groynes constructed in the 1970s help to hold sand in place to prevent further erosion of the Capital’s important coastline.  

In November 2021, one of them was damaged during Storm Arwen and partially collapsed. Following a survey of all of the groynes, work was commissioned to repair and restore them.

Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “By investing half a million pounds in the repair of the groynes we are helping to protect the sand and coastal environment at Portobello so locals and visitors can continue to enjoy this popular beach in Edinburgh for many years to come.

“This announcement is very timely as we are promoting all the work the Council is doing to address climate change as part of ‘Climate Week’.

“Unfortunately, due to the climate emergency, storms are becoming all too common and I’m really pleased their restoration means we have good protection in place. It’s also great to hear the excess timber wasn’t wasted and was donated to locals including a community garden and artists.

“The iconic groyne structures are well known to locals and visitors and have become part of the landscape in the area so it’s great to see them restored to their former glory.”

Read our Climate Ready Edinburgh Plan 2024-2030

Residents urged to help Edinburgh lead the way on climate action

Edinburgh residents are being asked to play a key role in shaping the city’s response to the climate and nature emergencies.

Launched yesterday, a 12-week consultation will seek views on a draft Climate Ready Edinburgh Plan – an ambitious strategy designed to adapt the city to ensure Edinburgh rises to the challenge of climate change.

Available to take part in online, the consultation findings will be used to finalise the policy before it is presented to Councillors in the Spring.

If adopted, the Climate Ready Edinburgh Plan is expected to become one of the city – and country’s — leading climate action plans, bolstered by ambitious work that is already underway in Edinburgh to tackle carbon emissions and head towards net zero by 2030.

It comes after Councillors considered the second annual 2030 Climate Strategy and city-wide carbon emissions report, which measures progress against agreed actions to reduce emissions and help the city achieve its net zero target by 2030.

Much climate adaptation work is already underway in Edinburgh, which this draft plan aims to build on. Its primary aim will be to guide changes to the city to safeguard people and wildlife from the risks posed by climate change.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “Climate change will affect everyone in Edinburgh, there is no question of that. Some residents and communities will be more vulnerable than others to these changes and it is our duty to defend them from risks such as the sea level rising and threats to biodiversity.

“We know tackling climate change and poverty go hand in hand and this Plan aims to ensure we are adapting in ways that benefit all citizens and communities equally.

“It is bold and ambitious in its approach and aims, but much like our net zero goals for Edinburgh, this is absolutely essential if we are to properly confront the climate emergency. It is undoubtedly the key existential challenge of our times.

“I’m very keen that we engage with communities, ensuring we are inclusive in our decision making and all voices are represented. Listening to our communities will be a key focus as we adapt to climate change.

“What’s clear, however, is that we can’t do this alone. As a Council, we can shape and influence change through our policies and plans, but this needs to be a team effort, a pulling together of resources and plans across the public, private and voluntary sectors. That’s why I’m so grateful to the Edinburgh Adapts Group for jointly developing this plan with us. It has involved climate experts and industry from all of the city joining forces.”

Gordon Reid, Scottish Water General Manager for Zero Emissions and Chair of the Edinburgh Adapts Partnership Group, said: “We are already seeing the impact of climate change in Edinburgh, so its great to see this consultation start on how we adapt Edinburgh to climate change.

“It will affect us all and we will have to act. In my own organisation, we are already investing in Edinburgh to deliver climate change adaptation and are working closely with the council on this. However, we need united action and funding from many partners.”

The draft plan priority themes are in the following eight areas:

  1. Planning and the built environment: actions that will help to mitigate the effects of climate change by making our buildings and infrastructure more resilient.
  2. Water management and resilience: actions to tackle flooding and associated impacts from severe weather events.
  3. Coastal adaptation: actions to manage sea level rises and the impact to our coastline and surrounding communities.
  4. Sustainable transport: actions to support a well-connected city.
  5. Safeguarding and enhancing our natural environment: actions that will support our natural environment and biodiversity.
  6. Strong, healthy community and economy: actions to support our communities, addressing climate justice, to create a thriving city.
  7. Building understanding of climate risk: actions to continue to ensure our understanding of how the climate is changing and the impacts of this to the city are based on the latest climate science.
  8. Governance and risk: actions to drive delivery and partnership working.

Take part in the consultation until 7 April 2024.