This Friday (25/3/22), for the first time since COP26, young people will take to Scotland’s streets by striking from their schools, colleges and universities.
In November, over 35,000 young people marched in Glasgow to demand climate justice, setting the tone for the next day when 100,000 people from all over the world would do the same. This global climate strike will keep the pressure up on politicians to take action, instead of making empty promises.
This global strike will see more than 700 protests globally, with 8 strikes taking place in Scotland alone.
COP26 failed us – not that we ever expected it to deliver.
Across the globe, the planet burns while wealth and power grows yet more concentrated in the hands of the few. Decision makers sit back, choosing to not to protect people and planet but to exacerbate the climate crisis.
Young people all around the world are standing against this dereliction of duty.
On March 25th, we will demand our government’s put People Before Profit.
Cerys Gough, 18, from Langholm, said: ”The science is clear. We’ve already seen irreversible damage caused by the climate crisis, and the recent IPCC Report declared a Code Red situation.
“We cannot afford to delay anymore, which is why we’re taking to the streets again”.
Cora Gibson, 15, from Edinburgh, said: “We don’t need to wait for the next COP to act on the climate crisis.
“Governments could be investing in renewable energy, phasing out fossil fuels, improving public transport, making our houses less reliant on fossil fuels, and so much more.”
Saoi O’Connor, 19, from Glasgow, said: “The UK Government has subsidised over £13.6 billion into fossil fuel companies since the Paris Agreement was signed. In 2021, just 24 oil companies made £131.3 billion in profit.
“Meanwhile, people on the lowest incomes are being forced into fuel poverty, being forced into choosing between heating their homes or feeding their families. That is a complete failure, we must prioritise people over profit.”
Climate Strike Locations:
Edinburgh – 11am, Scottish Parliament to Edinburgh City Chambers Glasgow – 12pm, George Square Dumfries – 11am, Council Headquarters Falkirk – 11am, Highstreet Bandstand Inverness – 11am, Falcon Square Stirling – 2pm, Town Centre, Port Street Ullapool – 8:30am, Clocktower
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is working with businesses across Scotland to help them prepare for a potential lack of water this summer.
Today on World Water Day, it’s emerging parts of the country could struggle in the coming months with insufficient resources due to a particularly dry winter. New data reveals January this year was the seventh driest on record for the East coast. Groundwater levels are also still low despite a series of storms in February, and without average rainfall through spring and summer, there is a risk of water scarcity particularly in Angus.
Water scarcity is just one indicator of Scotland’s changing climate. With more extreme weather and a projected decrease in summer rainfall, many places could face pressure on water resources even if they have not experienced this before. As well as the ecological impacts – food and drink production, hydropower generation and other business activity reliant on a consistent water supply could also be affected.
Environment Minister Mairi McAllan said: “In recent times Scotland has experienced some of the driest conditions we have seen for many years, bringing water scarcity impacts for many businesses and households across the country.
“With climate change at the forefront of all our minds, the need to conserve water as one of our most precious natural resources is more crucial than ever.
“Indeed, the most recent report from the Climate Change Committee confirmed that drought will become more prevalent in years to come as summers in Scotland get drier and hotter. That’s why I urge everyone to use water wisely and to take advantage of the advice and guidance offered by SEPA and Scottish Water – it benefits all of us, is good for our economy and our planet.”
SEPA is responsible for the forecasting, monitoring, and reporting of the situation facing Scotland’s water resources and produces regular water scarcity reports between May and September.
However, due to the severity of impacts last year, reports were also published outside of this period. This work, along with wet weather research, will better equip Scottish communities and organisations to innovate, adapt and prepare for future increased impacts.
Businesses also have a role to play in managing our water environment, and efficient use of resources can lead to economic and environmental benefits. SEPA helps organisations do this in sectors such as agriculture, aquaculture, hydropower, golf, and whisky production.
Girvan Early Growers, a co-operative of local farmers in Ayrshire, has already felt the pressures of water scarcity in previous years and works with SEPA in becoming more resilient.
Chairman of Girvan Early Growers, Andrew Young, said: “I have been a farmer for more than 40 years and last year was the driest I have seen in my lifetime. We simply can’t grow high quality potatoes and carrots here without access to water.
“By working closely with SEPA, we can plan where the best locations are to grow our crops. We can also be flexible and abstract water from different sources depending on where the pressures are.
“Simply having that awareness and a clear back-up plan for drier months, allows us to operate our business as effectively as possible.”
SEPA’s Head of Water and Planning, Nathan Critchlow-Watton, said: “It is vitally important that Scotland is prepared to deal with water scarcity now and in the future. Businesses should use the information available to them to make informed decisions about reducing their reliance on water and to plan for and manage water scarcity events.
“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. Businesses are also being encouraged to work together and plan abstractions accordingly to minimise any potential impacts.
“SEPA can provide advice and guidance on a series of straightforward steps that can be taken to reduce pressure on Scotland’s water environment. However, if businesses deliberately fail to follow the abstraction guidelines set out by SEPA this may result in enforcement action.”
Business can find out more information about water scarcity and how to prepare on SEPA’s website.
Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful, Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish Government’s Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater are calling for everyone to make litter history – by joining a Spring Clean challenge from 21 March – 21 April.
Lorna Slater joined the two charities at a launch event yesterday (Friday, 18 March), at the iconic Blackness Castle in Linlithgow, kicking off four weeks of litter-busting action to help clean up Scotland.
It’s everyone’s responsibility to reduce litter and help protect our neighbourhoods and heritage. But Keep Scotland Beautiful’s research has revealed that 88% of Scots agree that litter is a problem across Scotland – including at some of Scotland’s most beautiful sites. And 70% are concerned about litter in their area.
The environmental charity has been working with Historic Environment Scotland to explore ways to reduce litter at visitor attractions and areas of national significance.
If you feel frustrated about litter in your community or the places you visit, you can do something about it. Spring Clean Scotland is the perfect opportunity to make a difference by picking up litter on your local beach, streets, parks and beyond. Get involved and help make the places we care about cleaner and safer for people and animals.
Every action, however small, makes a difference. Just half an hour of picking up litter and disposing of it safely can help an area look cleaner and feel safer, and evidence shows it also prevents more litter being dropped.
Why not organise a litter pick with friends, family, workmates or your wider community? Or find one to join in with on Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Clean Up Scotland map.
We know young people feel strongly about caring for the environment and want to do something about the harmful effects of litter.
Your school can get involved too. As part of Spring Clean, there is a Live Lesson open to all schools across the UK.
Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slatersaid, “No one should have their visit to one of Scotland’s heritage sites ruined by litter and mess. To help make sure our historic locations are in good condition for others, please put your rubbish in the bin, recycling it where possible.
“We are consulting on proposals to help rid Scotland of the problem of litter and flytipping. I would encourage everyone to have their say and to take part in a Spring Clean near you.”
Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, Barry Fisher, said: “Across Scotland we have seen a steady increase in the amount of litter over the past decade. While this is a real challenge, we are heartened by the incredible work of litter picking heroes up and down the country.
“Our communities already play a vital role in taking action to tackle litter. Across Scotland we have seen lots of people giving up their time to clean up their local areas despite the challenges of the last two years.
“We are delighted to have launched our challenge with Historic Environment Scotland at a beautiful part of our heritage, Blackness Castle, to help highlight this issue. We would love as many people as possible to join in, make litter a thing of the past, and give Scotland a spring clean this March and April.
“For those that wish to take further action, the Scottish Government is currently consulting on a revised National Litter and Flytipping Strategy and you can still respond until the end of March and have #YourSayOnLitter.”
Alison Turnbull, Director of External Relations and Partnerships at Historic Environment Scotland, said, “We’re delighted to help launch this year’s Spring Clean at Blackness Castle. Litter can have a big negative impact on historic sites such as this, limiting access and enjoyment for visitors, as well as posing issues of health and safety.
“However, we believe our historic environment is also part of the solution to tackling litter. We want our historic sites to inspire positive behaviour change, connecting communities with their local area and restoring pride in our local environments.
“We hope people across Scotland will be inspired to get involved and help us make litter history.”
Inspired to take positive action? Learn more and sign up to join here:
Two industry leading horticultural brands have joined forces to provide gardeners in Edinburgh with a solution to plant pot recycling, preventing further plastic waste ending up in landfill.
Sustainable plant pot designer, elho, has partnered with nationwide garden centre retailer, Dobbies to provide plastic plant pot recycling bins across 69 of its centres including Edinburgh. This will make it easier than ever to reduce unnecessary plastic waste in the garden and prevent further plastic waste ending up in landfill.
It has been widely reported that kerbside recycling of plant pots is challenging. Policies vary significantly from council to council, particularly when it comes to black plant pots, which can leave gardeners at a loss with what to do with their disregarded pots.
Now gardeners can simply take their plastic plant pots and trays to Dobbies Edinburgh store for them to be recycled. The bins provide a simple means of disposing of plant pots in a convenient and environmentally friendly way, rather than having them clutter up garden sheds or adding to landfill.
This comes as new research from Dobbies Garden Centres reveals that 33% of gardeners in Edinburgh want to recycle more of their garden waste products this spring.
The survey was based on responses from 2003 UK adults including 147 from Scotland between 4 March and 7 March 2022.
Both companies are champions of sustainability with industry-leading green initiatives, and the plastic pot recycling bins are the latest innovation in this.
elho places nature at its core and boasts a number of sustainable credentials, including the production of only 100% recyclable plant pots that are made from recycled materials, using 100% renewable wind energy from the company’s very own wind-powered factory in the Netherlands.
Last year alone, the company recycled more than 13 million kilograms of recycled plastic to create its beautifully designed pots.
Chris Buck, Northern Account Manager at elho, explained: “We’re pleased to be working on this initiative with Dobbies to encourage gardeners to recycle their plant pots, and to make it incredibly easy for them to do so.
“It’s great to be working together to collect plastic garden waste and give it a second lease of life, instead of sending mountains of it to landfill. We wanted to help provide gardeners with a simple, convenient solution to dispose of their plant pots in an environmentally friendly way. When visiting the centre to buy more plants, simply return your old pots – it couldn’t be easier!”
Dobbies’ goal is for the initiative to provide customers with the knowledge that plant trays and pots they have purchased are recyclable in store. Like elho, Dobbies is committed to delivering environmentally friendly practices, products and sustainable solutions.
Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbies Garden Centres, added: “We are always looking for ways to embed sustainability into our operations, and this is a positive step forward in our #SustainableDobbies journey.
“Our research shows that gardeners across Edinburgh are passionate about recycling, so while we have encouraged pot recycling for a number of years in-store, this new bin at our Edinburgh store will provide customers with a clear message and opportunity to recycle.”
Study to be used to promote positive action on medicine use and disposal, to reduce pharmaceutical pollution
Data on 60 medicines in the water environment, known to occur through consumption and inappropriate disposal into wastewater systems, were obtained from a range of sources
Nine medicines were recommended for further action to reduce the potential environmental risk
A study carried out by researchers at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) with the James Hutton Institute and the Environmental Research Institute (University of the Highlands and Islands) has delivered the first national assessment of the emerging area of concern around pharmaceutical pollution of Scotland’s water environment, with an innovative Scottish partnership using results to promote practical actions to reduce this globally recognised public health and environmental issue.
Pharmaceuticals (medicines) enter the water environment when people taking medicines go to the toilet (between 30-100% of a dose is excreted) and when partially used or expired medicines are inappropriately flushed down the toilet instead of being returned to a pharmacy for proper disposal.
Information on 60 medicines was added to a database of over 3,000 data points representing 11 ‘types of water’ – such as water in the environment, influent wastewater and treated wastewater.
The study, commissioned by the Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) to support the work of the One Health Breakthrough Partnership, combined published and unpublished academic data with monitoring data from Scottish Water and SEPA.
Lead researcher Dr Karin Helwig says: “Pharmaceuticals (medicines) are designed to have an effect on humans so it’s no surprise that they affect water organisms, too, and that could disturb the balance in ecosystems.
“There is still much we don’t know about how serious these risks are, but if we value our environment it makes sense to try and reduce this kind of pollution as much as possible.
“Different organisations collect monitoring data for their own different purposes, so it was a real testament to partnership working that we were able to collate everything together and get a clearer picture of this area of emerging concern for the Scottish environment.”
The study found that nine medicines, including ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory painkiller) and antibiotics, may pose higher risks of ecotoxicity and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), although the authors emphasise that monitoring is often carried out at higher risk locations.
Dangers to human health are extremely unlikely, but the findings do illustrate levels of pharmaceuticals in the environment.
Wastewater treatment plants were not initially designed to treat pharmaceuticals and are unable to treat some pharmaceuticals. So tackling this complex issue requires “up-stream” actions.
The One Health Breakthrough Partnership (OHBP), which was involved in the design and oversight of this study, is a cross-sector initiative bringing together key stakeholders to develop and implement sustainable interventions in healthcare.
NHS Highland lead and OHBP co-founder, Sharon Pfleger, Consultant in Pharmaceutical Public Health, says: “It is important to try to prevent or reduce the impact of pollution by medicines as much as possible rather than trying to deal with the problem.
“That’s why the OHBP is taking an “up-stream” public health approach, ensuring that prescribers and the public understand that medicines do pollute our waters and how they can help, developing guidance for prescribers on more eco-friendly choices of medicines, promoting the use of green and blue spaces to help physical and mental health instead of using medicines and ensuring that people know how to correctly dispose of unused or unwanted medicines.”
The OHBP (Scottish Water, SEPA, NHS Highland, and the Environmental Research Institute-University of the Highlands and Islands) is committed to working with partners to develop solutions and progress the recommendations put forward in this report. Together the OHBP aims to drive research and innovation and influence policy in Scotland to achieve optimal health for people, animals, plants and the environment.
This study recommends that further environmental research be done for areas of the country where few data are available, and, similarly, for groundwater, lochs, and coastal and estuarine waters.
The study will be used by researchers, environmental regulators, the water industry, and the health service as a baseline to assess whether, and to what extent, future interventions and OHBP activities help to reduce pharmaceutical pollution.
The report and its appendices are available on CREW’s website.
Figures released by the Scottish Government yesterday (15 March) show that Scotland’s carbon footprint has increased for the first time in six years.
The greatest increase came from the greenhouse gas emissions from imported goods. Emissions from imports are now greater than the rest of Scotland’s emissions combined.
Scotland’s carbon footprint measures the greenhouse gas emissions from all the goods and services consumed by Scotland in a year. However, Scotland’s Net Zero targets only include greenhouse gases emitted in Scotland. Emissions from imports are excluded from national climate targets and this means they can rise unabated.
The Circular Economy Bill, which is due to be consulted on in May, is a chance for Scotland to reverse this trend and start taking responsibility for its environmental impacts overseas.
In a circular economy, materials consumption is reduced by reusing products rather than burning or burying them after a single use. This means producers need to think about how the product can be reused from the initial stages of design, and choose materials accordingly.
Kim Pratt, circular economy campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “The rise in Scotland’s carbon footprint is alarming. By only looking at the emissions produced at home, we are ignoring the greatest part of our carbon footprint and failing to play our full role in tackling the climate crisis.
“The climate emergency doesn’t recognise any borders, and by outsourcing the emissions from imports to other countries, the Scottish Government is shirking its responsibility.
“The Scottish Government can reverse the rise in emissions by putting strong consumption targets at the heart of its newly announced Circular Economy Bill – this is the only way to ensure that Scotland reduces its global environmental impact.”
Scotland’s carbon footprint was 70.4Mt CO2e in 2018, a 2.6% rise on the previous year.
GRANTON Goes Greener are very ecited to be hosting another CREATIVE WRITING workshop with an Edinburgh based climate activist and a writer-@KirstyLewin at @GrantonParish.
New electric vehicle chargers are up and running at Ingliston Park and Ride and work is underway to install chargers around the city as part of plans to introduce 81 on-street chargers (141 bays).
Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes was joined by representatives of the Electric Vehicle Association and Scottish Electric Vehicle Drivers at Ingliston yesterday to try out one of 21 chargers – six rapid (six charging bays) and 15 slow (30 charging bays).
Another five rapid chargers (five bays) and 14 slow chargers (28 bays) will soon be operational at Hermiston Park and Ride.
Preliminary work is also underway to install an additional 41 rapid and fast chargers – amounting to 72 charging bays – at on-street locations in residential areas around the Capital. These will be complete and available for use by early summer.
The roll-out, designed to encourage and support the take-up of cleaner, low emission transport like electric vehicles, is being funded by £2.2 million awarded through Transport Scotland’s Switched on Towns and Cities Challenge Fund.
Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “These new chargers will provide convenient charging for people travelling in and out of the Capital, and very soon we’ll be delivering fast, accessible charge points in residential streets around the city too.
“The transition to clean, low emission transport like electric vehicles is critical if we are to meet our ambitious net zero 2030 target, alongside choosing walking, wheeling, cycling or taking public transport to get around. It’s our role to support and encourage this so it’s fantastic that we’re now rolling out electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Edinburgh.”
Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “Today we marked the start of an ambitious, strategic programme to install charging points across the city which will soon benefit thousands of people.
“Electric vehicles both help to lower our carbon footprint and limit air pollution, so it’s really encouraging that more and more people are making the switch to electric cars.”
Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth said: “I’m pleased to see Scottish Government investment of £2.2 million deliver new electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Edinburgh.
“Our Switched on Towns and Cities funding is transforming Edinburgh’s provision of charge points, not only at key park and ride sites, but also through 72 new on-street charging bays at various locations across the city.
“This will improve air quality and protect our climate – directly supporting our commitment to phasing out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030.”
While the use of existing chargers is currently free, charging tariffs, as agreed by Council as part of the budget-setting process, are to be introduced in May. Any revenue generated will be used to fund the ongoing costs associated with our electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
The city council is currently looking at future locations for electric vehicle chargers using data from two Energy Savings Trust studies and have developed a scoring framework. As part of this several potential new locations for chargers have been identified for investigation, subject to funding.
Electric Vehicle Association Scotland Director Neil Swanson added: “What we are experiencing today is a seismic change towards low emission transportation.
“As Scotland forges ahead with ever increasing numbers of electric vehicle sales month-on-month, it is important that the country’s public charging infrastructure simultaneously meets the rising demand for a range of suitably located charge points.
“As the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland have already indicated in their recently announced commitment to meeting these challenges, there is an urgent need to keep pace with the rapid uptake by those who see the financial as well as the environmental benefits of going all-electric.
“EVA Scotland welcomes this essential, indeed fundamental objective and is committed to working with all those who can make this happen. We cannot go forward in our climate change obligations without having our vital charging infrastructure in place.
“What we see here in Edinburgh today represents significant investment, realising a major step forward by Edinburgh to ensure there are adequate numbers of charging facilities in place across the Capital to meet the increasing demand by all those making the switch to electric powered vehicles.
“We hope to see this truly ambitious effort replicated across the whole of Scotland…it is essential.”
Dr Euan McTurk, Plug Life Television, said: “The long-awaited expansion of the electric vehicle charging facilities at Ingliston Park and Ride is exactly the level of ambition that Councils across Scotland should be trying to emulate.
“Ingliston’s original rapid charger was one of the busiest in Scotland, and the six new ones next to it – doubled from the originally planned three new chargers – will no doubt be kept equally busy by a steady stream of electric taxis, delivery vans and drivers from the M8, M9 and M90.
“The addition of 30 new destination charge sockets next to the original four, mean that commuters and visitors to Edinburgh who don’t have a home charge point will no longer face a lottery of whether they’ll be able to charge their car whilst they’re in town.
“It’s equally promising to hear that similar charging hubs are being built across numerous sites in Edinburgh for residents, businesses and commuters, and that this is just the first of three much-needed phases of charging infrastructure expansion for Scotland’s capital.”
Morrisons is introducing new ‘rentable’ boxes on its Salad Bar in four trial stores to allow customers to lunch more sustainably. It has also removed plastic cutlery from all stores.
The Refill a Box scheme is the first of its kind to be trialled by a UK supermarket. Each ‘rentable’ box will replace Morrisons large salad box and is made from fully recyclable polypropylene. The boxes are designed to be used 400 times to prevent disposable plastic containers from being used.
To use the new boxes, customers must first download the CauliBox app[1], register, tap on ‘scan to take a box’ and insert their card details. Customers can then scan the QR code on the Salad Bar point-of-sale, collect an empty box from a Salad Bar colleague, fill it with salad products, then pay at the till as normal.
Boxes should be returned to the Refill a Box drop-off point at the Salad Bar when customers next visit and the QR code scanned again.
They will be thoroughly machine washed and sanitised, before being returned to the pick-up point for another use. A £5 deposit is held whilst customers use the box, which is refunded when the box is returned within seven days.
Lorraine Wheeler, Environmental Packaging Manager at Morrisons, said: “Thousands of customers visit our Salad Bars every week – and this is increasing as people go back out to work.
“Until now we’ve stocked recyclable single-use plastic containers, but we think customers will be ready to swap to this reusable box – as it’s so simple to use. We hope to roll it out to more stores this year.”
Reducing the amount of single-use plastic in stores is a top concern for Morrisons customers. Morrisons has committed to a 50 per cent reduction across its own brand primary plastic packaging by 2025.
Since 2017 Morrisons has reduced its own brand plastic packaging by over 8,000 tonnes a year and replaced another 7,000 tonnes so that it is fully recyclable.
The move to refillable boxes is the latest initiative from Morrisons to remove plastic packaging from its stores and follows other commitments.
Morrisons introduced a refillable container scheme for its customers at its butcher and fishmonger counters in 2018 and was the first supermarket to introduce paper carrier bags at checkouts in 2019. Morrisons is also the only UK supermarket to own its own recycling plant in Fife which will reprocess hard-to-recycle soft plastic.
The destruction of unsold, durable goods could be banned as part of plans to reduce waste, Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater has announced.
Proposals for a ban will be put forward in a consultation on a new Circular Economy Bill, to be published in May.
It is intended to address public concerns about unsold products being destroyed or ending up in landfill. Retailers may be required to look for other options for unsold products, including donating and recycling them.
The proposals would make sure Scotland keeps pace with Europe as France has recently enacted such a ban and the EU is currently considering similar interventions.
To mark the announcement, the Minister will visit Fresh Start in West Pilton. The charity distributes essential household goods and white goods donated by retailers as part of their work to help people who have been homeless establish themselves in their new home.
Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater said: “It is absolutely senseless for perfectly good products to end up in landfill. Rather than being wasted in landfill or incinerated, they should be reused or repurposed.
“Organisations like Fresh Start show that there is a real need for items like these, and with the cost of living increasing this need is growing rapidly.
“We are living in a climate emergency. When goods go to landfill without having even been used once, we don’t just waste the product – we also waste all the energy and raw materials that went into making it.
“This proposal is a direct response to the public concerns about what happens to items that go unsold. By pursuing a ban, we can make sure they make it into the hands of those that need them, and help Scotland reduce its carbon footprint.
“This is the sort of action that’s needed to create a circular economy and shows the level of ambition that will be contained in our proposals in May.”
Michael Cook, CEO of Circular Communities Scotland said: “We are delighted a timetable has been set for consulting on the Circular Economy Bill and look forward to working with Scottish Government to deliver as ambitious a bill as possible.
“We have been campaigning for a ban on companies destroying products which could easily be repurposed for some time and, therefore, welcome, and fully support this proposal.
“Circular Communities Scotland represents a range of impressive charities and social enterprises providing a whole variety of creative alternatives for materials considered waste or surplus. This bill validates their significant contribution towards establishing a more circular economy in Scotland.”
