Tag: environment

Views sought on proposals for protecting Scotland’s environment

Draft plan to tackle nature loss, climate change and pollution

Members of the public are being asked to have their say on proposals aimed at boosting the health, prosperity and wellbeing of communities by improving Scotland’s environment.

The draft Environment Strategy sets out the opportunities for strengthening Scotland’s economy and improving people’s lives as a result of restoring and regenerating biodiversity, cutting levels of pollution and waste, supporting national net zero targets and improving Scotland’s environmental impact on countries across the world.

It includes key government actions which aim to support green jobs and industries, tackle poverty and promote social justice including:

  • the transition to a circular economy through the reuse and repurposing of materials
  • increasing renewable energy generation in Scotland and supporting industrial decarbonisation with independent scenarios from Ernst and Young (EY), showing that with the right support, Scotland’s low carbon and renewable energy sector could support nearly 80,000 jobs by 2050
  • projects to restore nature – including those supported through the Nature Restoration Fund – which are also improving people’s physical and mental wellbeing by providing greater access to nature

Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy Gillian Martin said: “This draft Environment Strategy sets out ways in which Government action will help tackle the nature crisis, as well as reduce pollution and support our net zero targets.

“These issues are interlinked, and by tackling them together we can protect our planet in ways that improve people’s health and wellbeing, reduce inequalities, and create new opportunities for business and investment.

“We have already made significant progress in improving Scotland’s environment. We have cut pollution levels by banning a number of the most problematic single-use plastic products and introduced Low Emission Zones.

“Scotland’s energy grid is also greener, thanks to the increase in the amount of renewable energy we now generate, we are more than halfway to reaching net zero by 2045, and our forthcoming Natural Environment Bill will introduce new statutory targets for restoring nature. 

“However there is still much more we can do – and it is vital we tackle these global crises in ways that create wider benefits for Scotland – supporting green jobs and industries, improving people’s health, tackling poverty and promoting social justice.

“I urge everyone with an interest to have their say on the proposals.” 

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic Kate Forbes said: “This draft Strategy shows how we can achieve both our environmental and our economic ambitions for Scotland, highlighting the business and investment opportunities that will flow as we move to a net zero, nature positive future.”

Scottish Parliament seeks views on what should be included in the forthcoming Climate Change Plan

What should be included in Scotland’s Climate Change Plan? Members of the public, experts and stakeholders are being asked just that, as the Scottish Parliament launches a call for views to support its scrutiny of the Plan.

The draft CCP, which is expected to be published later this year, will set out how the Scottish Government intends to meet emission reduction targets across all portfolio areas and sectors of the economy. It must also set out the costs and benefits of policies, whilst taking into consideration the principles of a Just Transition – that the switch to net zero should reduce not increase social injustice.

This CCP will cover the period 2026-2040, as Scotland looks to be “net zero” in carbon emissions by 2045. In doing so, it will seek to meet reduction targets for this period, based, on advice from the independent Climate Change Committee.

Questions included in the call for views cover a wide range of sectors including electricity and energy; buildings; transport; industry; waste and circular economy; agriculture and land use; and negative emissions technologies, but participants are free to answer only those they are most interested in.

The Parliament is also seeking views on other aspects of the draft Plan, including how the proposed policies should be funded and how to overcome challenges in delivering them.

The findings will be shared across Parliament to support parliamentary committees scrutinising the draft CCP later in the year.

Launching the call for views, Convener of the Net Zero, Energy & Transport Committee, Edward Mountain MSP, said; “The last time the Scottish Parliament considered a full Climate Change Plan was in 2018.

“Since then, the pandemic made changes, some of them long-lasting, to how we work and live our lives. There have been new technological developments, bringing both challenges and opportunities for climate change policy. And global uncertainty has raised new questions about our energy security.

“In Scotland, some progress towards net zero has been made, but not enough. The Climate Change Committee’s warning last year that delays and slippages had put Scotland off-target in reaching net zero were a wake-up call for the Scottish Government to find credible policies that will deliver positive change in areas like agriculture, public transport and car use and domestic heating.

“Now, the Scottish Parliament can play its part by ensuring there is a robust, workable and costed delivery plan for net zero. But expert and public buy-in and participation must be at the heart of a credible plan.

“What do you think should be included in the Plan and what else do you think is needed to deliver a just transition to net zero by 2045?

“To help form our thinking, please share your views so that when the draft Plan arrives, we will be in a strong position to start detailed scrutiny.”

Once the draft CCP is laid, the Scottish Parliament will have 120 days to scrutinise it.

The call for views will be open until 19 September 2025.

Read the questions and submit your views on Citizen Space

TODAY: Join Edinburgh Communities Climate Action Network at Edinburgh Climate Festival

ROOT & RISE: THE MEADOWS 12 – 7pm

Come join us TODAY – Saturday, 28th June – at the Edinburgh Meadows, where we will be hosting a stall and a Climate Listening Circle for the Edinburgh Climate Festival!

🌎🌳 Come along to find out more about our work, Greenlight funding and everything we have planned for the summer ahead!

We are looking forward to seeing you all there! 🎪

#EdinburghClimateFestival

Edinburgh pupils discover the world of Beekeeping with educational day at Fort Kinnaird

Pupils from Edinburgh primary schools swapped the classroom for beekeeping as they had the chance to visit Fort Kinnaird’s thriving beehives for a day buzzing with educational fun.

During the session, 12 pupils from Niddrie Mill Primary and Castleview Primary learned about the world of bees – including how they are essential to the local environment, how hives function, and what it takes to care for bees first-hand.

The visit was delivered in partnership with Colin Mackie of Fine Scottish Honey Ltd – a local beekeeper who has maintained the centre’s two on-site hives since they were installed in May 2024.

The experience follows a series of in-school sessions delivered by Colin in partnership with Fort Kinnaird as part of the Young Readers Programme, an award-winning initiative between its co-owner British Land and the National Literacy Trust, which aims to encourage children to read and learn outside of the classroom.

More than 230 pupils at Niddrie Mill Primary, Castleview Primary and Brunstane Primary took part in the sessions, which included honey tasting, candle rolling, creative craft activities and an interactive storytelling session. As part of the project, pupils also decorated bird boxes which are due to be installed at Fort Kinnaird.

Liam Smith, Centre Director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We’re proud to work closely with local schools and community partners to offer educational experiences that are fun, hands-on and genuinely inspiring.

“Opportunities like this give children the chance to learn in a different way – not just by reading about nature, but by seeing it and asking questions in real time.

“It’s been brilliant to see our beehives come to life and thrive over the year to support both the centre and local community biodiversity – this is all part of our sustainability plan which includes zero waste and 98% renewable energy use.”

To plan your visit to Fort Kinnaird, please visit https://www.fortkinnaird.com/

Team GB athlete Jennifer Dodds visits Trinity Primary School to deliver Positive Energy workshop

Team GB athlete Jennifer Dodds made a special appearance at Trinity Primary School last week to help deliver an exciting workshop on the importance of energy saving in partnership with British Gas.

The visit formed part of British Gas’ Get Set for Positive Energy Roadshow which aims to educate pupils across the UK on energy saving behaviours and habits.

Through an engaging session led by Jennifer and British Gas representatives, 77 pupils at Trinity Primary School participated in a range of activities including designing posters to encourage energy saving at home and school, spotting ways to prevent energy misuse, and suggesting improvements to make their school a greener place.

During the summer, the Get Set for Positive Energy regional Roadshow will see British Gas and a group of Olympic and Paralympic athletes visit a selection of other schools across the UK, leading workshops and inspiring the minds of the future to get involved in energy saving from a young age.  

Aimi McIntosh, Deputy Headteacher at Trinity Primary School, said: “It was lovely to see the children enjoying themselves so much during the workshop hosted by Jennifer Dodds and British Gas – they particularly loved suggesting creative ways to make our school a greener environment and hearing all about Jennifer’s journey as a Team GB athlete. 

“It was a really inspiring and educational session and a fantastic opportunity for our school, so we’d like to thank all involved!”

Hannah Lawrance, Strategic Brand Partnerships Lead at British Gas, said: “We really enjoyed visiting Trinity Primary School last week alongside Jennifer Dodds for our Get Set for Positive Energy workshop. We met some brilliant pupils who threw their all into the energy saving activities we had planned which was great to see.  

“The programme aims to educate children on building a more sustainable future, which helps us to create a more sustainable community for all. We’re using our partnership with Team GB and ParalympicsGB to inspire schools to get more active and consider different ways to create a positive impact.”

The Get Set for Positive Energy Roadshow makes up part of British Gas’ wider Get Set for Positive Energy initiative, a free cross-curricular programme that aims to educate young people aged five to 11 on the importance of saving energy to drive change, getting active and building healthy everyday habits.

Through Get Set for Positive Energy, British Gas aims to reach up to 8,500 schools and 1.5 million young people and families across the UK by 2028, taking inspiration from the Olympic and Paralympic values to motivate young people to be active in creating a greener future for themselves and their community.

The partnership between Team GB, ParalympicsGB and British Gas launched in 2023. The five-year collaboration will last up until the Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028.

For more information on the Get Set for Positive Energy programme, visit: Get Set | Get Set for Positive Energy

George Street and First New Town project passes crucial milestone

‘We’re on our way to delivering a bold new vision for George Street and our city centre’

A full design for the George Street and First New Town project, has been approved by the Transport and Environment Committee.

The report discusses the completion of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stage 4 Technical Design. The progression of this stage has led to a revised overall cost estimate of £35.07m, representing a saving of over £4.3m on previous estimates.

The wider project was included to proceed under the City Mobility Plan Prioritisation programme in May 2025, following a rigorous assessment of feasibility.

The full design will contain the following features:

  • Plans for natural stone material throughout (including yorkstone slabs on the footway, re-laid traditional setts in the parking areas, whinstone kerbs and setts on the carriageway). 
  • Dwell zones with incorporated raised planters and seating.
  • Eight trees (four at the Charlotte Square end, four at the St Andrew Square end) along with low-level planting within a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDs), linking to the existing drainage system.  
  • Full suite of Hostile Vehicle Measures (HVM) at all junctions and associated utility diversions.

Under the current timeline, construction is due to begin in Autumn 2027 and take approximately two years with a further one-year defect period.   

The appropriate road orders will now be implemented before moving on to final budget confirmation and ultimately to RIBA Stage 4B (Tender) and securing of statutory consents. Final approval will then be sought to proceed to RIBA Stage 5 (Construction).

The full report is available to view on the city council website.

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve taken the decision today to move forward with the George Street and First New Town project. The project is rooted in making the area safer, more sustainable and accessible for all.

“This is a unique opportunity to bring one of Edinburgh’s most important streets into the modern world whilst still maintaining its unique history and features.

“The wider potential improvements are vast, from benefits to local residents and businesses to enhancing Edinburgh as a visitor destination, and beyond – we’re on our way to delivering a bold new vision for George Street and our city centre.

“Whilst we’re committed to this important project, we’re also committed to making broader improvements across the city for the benefit of all our residents.”

 Root & Rise: Edinburgh Climate Festival 2025

Inspiring climate action through this year’s Edinburgh Climate Festival

As we take in the fearful effects of the worsening climate crisis and the uncertainty that takes hold of the many challenges we are facing around our planet today, looking ahead to a hopeful future can be a very daunting task.

For this, we find great importance & delight in announcing the return of this year’s Edinburgh Climate Festival, a free festival that aims to celebrate & inspirate climate action in our local communities. A day that brings together numerous climate related organisations, projects and individuals, all looking to help positively raise awareness & work towards creating a brighter future!

 The festival will be taking place at the Edinburgh Meadows, Melville Dr EH9 1ND, on Saturday 28th June 2025, from 12 to 7pm.

During the day, attendees can find a variety of free lively performances, workshops, art installations & themed talks, as well as a bouncy castle and activities that welcome everyone of all ages.

The festival will also be welcoming stallholders that cover topics related to circular economy, mitigation, adaptation, climate education, transport, activism, conservation and more. 

As a special feature to the ninth edition of the festival, this year the team have introduced an additional theme: Root & Rise.

The theme represents a call to root in ourselves by grounding in who we are, reconnecting with nature, and prioritising our well-being. The festival defends that just as strong roots support a thriving tree, a deep connection to ourselves and the earth can allow us to rise with strength and purpose.

By truly rooting in nature, we find the power to rise – to embrace new sustainable habits, take meaningful action, and stand together in the fight for climate justice and systemic change. This message is present throughout the event, through visuals and tailored activities encompassing this ethos. 

As an additional attempt to become more sustainable as an event itself, this year the festival is also trialling a few new schemes in hopes to achieve better waste reduction & improve its practices overall.

A few to highlight, is their additional single use packaging fee that will be implemented by all food vendors as well as a free raffle that aims to encourage attendees to bring their own containers, rewarding their commitment by offering a chance to win one of three prizes (which are valued at £60, £50 and £40).

Franciele Sobierai, the ECF Event Coordinator said: “The climate crisis can be daunting, leaving us feeling powerless. However, when we unite, work together, and support one another, we can accomplish far more.

“This is the message the Edinburgh Climate Festival aims to spread — encouraging community-driven climate action and solidarity to tackle the climate emergency.”

The attractions and activities will include various artwork, free yoga, somatic movement, paper-making, dancing, climate stories, musical performances from Airdan Band, Fossilheads, Samba Sene, an energetic Ceilidh & much more!

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage, learn, and celebrate our collective efforts towards a sustainable future! You can find the full programme here

Confirm your presence on the event here, with the option to give a donation here. 

Volunteering: If you like to get involved in the delivery of the event, the ECF team is looking for individuals passionate about climate and community action to help on the day.

Learn more and apply here: https://forms.gle/uAmyQ4KoucLKkyFQ9

The Edinburgh Climate Festival is brought to you by Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) & Networking Key Services (NKS), through the Communities’ Reduce Reuse & Recycle (C3R) Project.

The festival is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund’s Climate Action Fund and is supported by The University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier University.

Hundreds of crisp packet stars delivered to MSPs to demand action on recycling

An Edinburgh resident delivered hundreds of handmade stars crafted from empty crisp packets to the Scottish Parliament yesterday [19 June] to demand more action on recycling.

Jenny Kerr, a maths and learning support teacher, made the stars to remind all MSPs that, as the global plastic crisis worsens, Scotland must do more to manage problem plastics like crisp packets. This comes as global negotiations to end plastic pollution as due to be concluded this summer

Jenny has made each of the stars herself. She started making stars out of paper over 40 years ago when a Danish friend taught her how to make the traditional Scandinavian Christmas decoration. Last year, Jenny switched to making the stars out of crisp packets after learning more about plastic waste.

Crisp packets are a type of soft plastic, which is much more difficult and expensive to recycle than other materials. Soft plastics make up over a quarter of post-consumer packaging waste in the UK, but only 7% is recycled.

In August 2025, international negotiations will take place on the final version of a Global Plastics Treaty to end plastic pollution. Plastic contributes to climate breakdown, it harmful to human health and damages wildlife.

Without a treaty, the harms of plastics will escalate, as plastic production is expected to double by 2040.

The UK is part of the high ambition coalition, a group of over 100 countries fighting for a strong treaty. Last year, the First Minister, John Swinney MSP, stated that the Scottish Government fully supported the Global Plastics Treaty.

However, measures required to end Scotland’s dependency on plastics, such as investment in reuse and banning the burning of plastic waste, have not be acted on by the Scottish Government.

Jenny said: “Since embarking on a project to raise money for a local charity by making 1000 stars out of crisp packets this year, I have been almost overwhelmed by donations of empty packets from friends and colleagues, keen to find a use for this waste material.

“People have been shocked to learn that, despite claims by the manufacturers on the packets, crisp packets are not currently recyclable in Scotland.

“We have an addiction to the convenience of these snacks, and the waste must be dealt with. I hope these stars will encourage our MSPs to consider this serious global issue, ahead of international discussions to finalise a Global Plastics Treaty in August, and prioritise taking action in Scotland.”

Kim Pratt, Senior Circular Economy Campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “Companies are choosing to sell products like crisps in non-recyclable plastic. This cheap packaging boosts corporate profits but it’s terrible for the planet. Very little plastic packaging is ever recycled.

“The best way of dealing with soft plastics is not to make them in the first place. This approach requires meaningful government commitment to a future with less plastic. We urgently need these companies to stop producing so much plastic and find safe and sustainable alternatives where necessary.”

There are no soft plastic recycling facilities in Scotland. In 2023, a soft plastics recycling plant, co-owned by Morrisons and built with £470,000 investment from the Scottish Government, was opened in Fife but was forced to close only a few months later.

This means all the soft plastic rubbish collected in Scotland must be landfilled, burned or exported. Much of it ends up as litter or dumped in the ocean where it breaks down to microplastics.

Scientific studies are increasingly linking microplastics to an array of health impacts including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, auto-immune conditions and neuro-degenerative diseases.

Scotland’s rivers are still under stress – and summer’s just getting started

Don’t let the recent weather fool you. Despite rain and thunderstorms in the last few days, large parts of Scotland remain at some level of water scarcity. With summer just beginning, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are warning that complacency is a real risk.

While rainfall in late May and early June brought localised relief, it has not reversed the underlying dry conditions. Eight river catchments – the Spey, Deveron, Ythan, Don, Dee, Esk, Firth of Tay and Tyne – remain at Moderate Scarcity, while a further seven – Wick, Helmsdale, Naver, Findhorn, Forth, Almond and Tweed – are at Alert.

SEPA started issuing warnings about the chance of water scarcity in March, after an exceptionally dry Autumn and Winter. Spring 2025 was the second driest in more than 100 years, and the driest since 1964 in parts of eastern Scotland.

Parts of the country have seen below-average rainfall for over a year, and even where recent rain has brought short-term improvement above-average rainfall is still needed for water scarcity levels to recover in some areas.

Since the weekend, rain has been concentrated in the northwest, promoting recovery to Normal Conditions in some areas. DRAT (Drought Risk Assessment Tool) stations have now also reset, including Helmsdale, which was at Significant last week.

Claire Tunaley, Senior Hydrologist – Water Resources Unit, SEPA said: “It won’t take a heatwave for river levels to fall again. With summer only just beginning, and rainfall in the east still well below average, conditions could deteriorate quickly.

“Rivers entered summer already stressed after months of below average rainfall, and the kind of brief periods of rain we can get over the summer often don’t soak in properly or evenly enough to reverse that.

“Less water in rivers means warmer temperatures, lower oxygen, and shrinking channels, all of which increase pressure on fish, aquatic life, and habitats.”

Scotland’s water scarcity levels are grounded in current data, not forecasts. SEPA’s team of specialists maintain and calibrate a national network of river flow stations — a science-led system that gives an accurate picture of pressures on our rivers, lochs, and water supplies.

Eilidh Johnston, SEPA’s Senior Manager in Water Industry and Rural Economy, said: “We don’t wait until the situation reaches crisis point to act, and we don’t expect water users to either.

“Many abstractors have already been planning ahead and taking steps to use water efficiently, especially in areas of Alert and Moderate scarcity.

“We’ve talked to over 400 licence holders across the last few months and welcome the steps that have been taken by farmers, distilleries, industry and others to use water efficiently. We urge them to continue to do that.”

“If you hold an abstraction licence and you’re in an area of Moderate Scarcity, don’t be concerned if we get in touch. We’re still contacting abstractors where rivers are low to ensure they have all the information they need to make decisions about their water use, and to make sure nothing comes as a surprise if further action becomes necessary.”

SEPA will continue to monitor conditions and publish weekly water scarcity reports to help businesses make informed decisions about their water use.

Access to the reports, and SEPA’s DRAT station information, is available at sepa.org.uk/waterscarcity

Teachers warn new school uniforms are too costly for too many families

The Leith Collective launches free school uniform exchange to help pupils in need

Many families in Edinburgh are finding the cost of purchasing a new school uniform completely unaffordable.

For some children, this means going to school in an ill-fitting or worn-out uniform. For others, it means resorting to wearing non-school uniform items. Standing out from their peers in this way has the potential to result in a negative school experience and can impact a pupil’s ability to learn and thrive. 

That’s according to The Leith Collective, who have been approached by a growing number of teachers and parents calling for help.

And so, as the current school term draws to a close, this Community Interest Company is launching a free school uniform exchange, so every pupil can start the new term in August with everything they need to see them through a successful school year.

Taking place at The Leith Collective stores in Edinburgh’s Ocean Terminal and Fort Kinnaird as well as the Livingston Designer Outlet and Dundee’s Overgate, the team behind this initiative are asking locals to donate good quality uniforms, coats, gym kits, shoes, schoolbags, pencil cases and any other school essentials so they can distribute them to those in need. 

But that’s not all. The Leith Collection is calling on local businesses to donate surplus stock where possible, with those taking part in the exchange receiving a community support certificate in recognition of their contribution.

Speaking ahead of the launch, The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson said; “From an environmental point of view, it is so important to keep good quality uniforms out of landfill and in use for as long as possible.

“And from a personal point of view, I’ve heard first-hand accounts from teachers and parents about what a negative effect it can have on families when they simply can’t afford school essentials, and it’s heartbreaking. 

“This is the third year we’re running our free school uniform exchange and people need it more than ever. That’s why we’re widening our call this year and asking for businesses to get on board too to help those in need.”

People can donate and collect items, no questions asked, at The Leith Collective in Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird, Livingston Designer Outlet and Overgate during opening hours. The hope is to help as many pupils as possible get off to the best possible start when the new academic year begins in August.