![](https://i0.wp.com/nen.press/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/tee-bo.png?resize=660%2C553&ssl=1)
TEEBO POP-UP SHOP
Pilton Youth & Children’s Project
The Greenhouse, West Pilton Brae
Saturday 27 November 11am – 1pm
Reduce – Reuse – Recycle
Bolt – the UK’s second largest ride-hailing app with 4m passengers – is crossing the border into Scotland with its latest launch in Edinburgh, as it continues its rapid expansion across the UK.
Bolt was founded in 2013 and currently has 4m customers across the UK. The company has a mission to reduce personal vehicle ownership and increase availability of more sustainable modes of transport. Through its Bolt Green Plan it ensures all rides are carbon neutral.
The launch will see the fastest growing mobility platform in the world support the city in its bid to be a “Million Tree City” by 2030 with a £20,300 donation to the TreeTime Edinburgh initiative, run by Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust.
As part of the partnership and to mark its commitment to the second greenest city in the UK, Bolt’s donation will help the charity to replace a number of lost trees in the city. Trees have been felled in urban areas for various reasons, but through its donation, Bolt will help to replace larger strategically positioned trees, as well as contributing to extending and enriching woodland areas and parks that surround the city with young saplings.
With a number of larger trees being planted roadside, they will serve as a reminder to residents of the importance of the environment and the issue of carbon emissions in the city. With a third of Bolt’s initial city fleet being electric or hybrid vehicles, the ride-hailing service acts as a fast-growing sustainable alternative to the private car, as well as helping residents travel safely and affordably.
To celebrate its arrival in the city, passengers will have the chance to receive up to £8 off their first Bolt ride by entering the following code into the Promotions section of the Bolt app: ARTHURSCARSEAT* when they launch.
Sam Raciti, Bolt’s UK General Manager said: “Launching into Edinburgh and Scotland is a big step for Bolt.
“We take our responsibility in supporting the communities we operate within seriously and it was only right that we helped support the sustainability goals of the UK’s second greenest city through our partnership with TreeTime Edinburgh.
“We can’t wait to offer residents an affordable and responsible way to get around the city they love.”
Charlie Cumming, CEO at Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust, said: “Edinburgh’s trees are a major part of the local landscape and some of the capital’s most famous landmarks, parks and streets would not be the same without them.
“We’ve calculated that the city needs to be planting roughly 6,500 trees every year to compensate for the trees we lose due to disease and Bolt’s donation and commitment will help us significantly. We’re very pleased to be working with a company like Bolt that shares the same values and commitment to our local environment.”
Bolt is accepting submissions from Edinburgh passengers for the chance to personalise one of 15 unique plaques on trees planted around the city, providing a lasting legacy and the opportunity to share important messages about protecting the local environment.
Submissions can be sent to the company’s Instagram page, @bolt_uk.
A new campaign encouraging residents to have a less wasteful Christmas and help reduce their impact on the environment has been launched today.
Following on from the city-wide Net Zero Challenge, which encourages people learn about the cost to the climate of everyday actions by measuring their carbon footprint, the new multi-media campaign aims to build upon the momentum gathered by the COP26 conference.
Edinburgh residents are being urged to buy more responsibly and to avoid waste where possible, by choosing local suppliers and products, asking for pre-loved or home-made gifts and cutting down on food waste.
Residents will also be encouraged to use the Edinburgh Reuse Map, developed in partnership with Changeworks, to discover where items can be sourced second-hand or for free, fixed, donated or even upcycled.
As well as content promoted through billboards, bus shelters, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and radio, additional practical information and support on wasting less over the festive season, including details on recycling and Christmas tree uplifts, and plastic-free shops across the city is also available to residents at http://www.Edinburgh.gov.uk/GreenChristmas
Council Leader, Councillor Adam Mcvey said: “The Green Christmas campaign aims to build on the momentum and interest in the climate crisis from COP26 coming to Scotland, to encourage even more people across the city to take climate action and help deliver a cleaner, greener capital.
“The vast majority of people in Edinburgh agree that we need to cut down on waste over Christmas.
“And from choosing gifts with recyclable or minimal packaging, avoiding items that can’t be recycled – such as glittery cards or shiny wrapping paper, to supporting local shops and choosing local food to cut down on air miles – there’s lots of ways we can all be greener in the run up to holidays to be more sustainable and look after our beautiful city and precious planet.”
Depute leader, Cammy Day said: “Although going totally waste free this Christmas may be a tall order, there’s still lots we can all do to cut down.
“Small changes do add up and, as well as being good for the environment, can often save you time and money too. For example, planning your meals ahead of time so you only buy the food you need can help you save up to £437 a year, and helps us tread more lightly.”
Have a Greener Christmas
The Leith Collective has had an incredible year, adding a string of awards and accolades to their name, so this Christmas they’re going all out to give back – to the people of Edinburgh and to the environment.
And they’re calling on locals to join them by putting sustainability at the top of their wishlists with the launch of their ‘Relove, Rewild Christmas’ and ‘Secret Seasonal Sculptures’ initiatives.
Got an unloved Christmas tree languishing in your attic? Take it to The Leith Collective where they will be rehoming trees throughout the festive period, spreading Christmas cheer to those who can’t afford to buy one. What’s more, for every Christmas tree donated to the Edinburgh store, a real tree will be planted right here in Scotland.
The Leith Collective will be donating to Trees for Life which aims to rewild the Scottish Highlands and restore the Caledonian Forest. Native trees such as Scots Pines and woodland plants will be planted in the quest to reduce our carbon footprint, and to provide space for wildlife to flourish and communities to thrive.
Commenting ahead of the launch of the ‘Relove, Rewild Christmas’ initiative, The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson said; ‘For anyone who has a tree or decorations gathering dust in their loft, this is a great way to ensure they continue to spread Christmas cheer.
“We understand many people have had it tough throughout the pandemic, therefore we will be giving away the donated trees and decorations completely free of charge to anyone who requests one, no questions asked”.
And to spread that Christmas cheer even further, The Leith Collective has called upon some of their resident artists to create a series of 24 seasonal sculptures – each lovingly reimagined and handcrafted from old wooden fixings – and they will be hiding one each day in the run up to Christmas throughout the city centre.
Discussing the advent surprises, Sara commented; ‘The secret seasonal sculptures are a fun way to show people what can be created using materials that would otherwise be discarded. We hope they encourage more people to get creative this Christmas and keep sustainability at the forefront of their mind’.
The first secret seasonal sculpture will appear somewhere in Edinburgh on Wednesday 1st December and anyone who finds one can take it along to The Leith Collective where they will receive an additional festive surprise.
The ‘Relove, Rewild Christmas’ and ‘Secret Seasonal Sculptures’ initiatives are just two ways The Leith Collective plan to give back this Christmas after what has been a phenomenal year for them.
In January 2021, The Leith Collective became the UK’s first single-use plastic free shop of its kind and was later crowned runner up in the Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Awards.
In July, owner Sara Thomson took her message of sustainability west-side, opening The Clydeside Collective in Glasgow’s St Enoch Centre, followed by The Camdentown Collective in London’s Buck Street Market in September. Later that month, Sara was specially selected to become a UK ‘One Step Greener’ ambassador and showcased her story of how she is tackling climate change at COP26.
From Sara’s role as a One Step Greener ambassador and the inspirational work The Leith Collective is doing to showcase sustainability, the Prime Minister chose Sara to become the UK’s 1772nd Point of Light.
As a result, Sara met Boris Johnson at 10 Downing Street and enjoyed a video chat with the Queen. On returning to Edinburgh, Sara received the news that she had won two awards at the Creative Edinburgh Awards – The Leadership Award and The Social Award.
New research from the UK’s largest mutual pension and investment company, Royal London, reveals that over three fifths (66%) of pension holders in Edinburgh are unaware that their pension could be invested in ways to help fight climate change.
Only one fifth (18%) of pension holders from the city currently invest their pension responsibly, but 46% say they would like their pension to be invested more responsibly.
What does investing responsibly mean?
Terminology can be confusing. A third (34%) of adults in Edinburgh are familiar with the term ‘responsible investment,’ but only a quarter (25%) per cent actually know what it means and understand its collective power to protect the planet. Men are more likely to be familiar with the term responsible investment than women (69% vs 50%) across the UK.
The power of pensions
A third (33%) of pension holders in Edinburgh said they would consider investing a portion of their pension responsibly. Over a fifth (22%) were willing for over half their pension to be invested responsibly. With one in ten (13%) wanting between 90% and 100% of their pension invested responsibly.
Pension holders across the UK were also asked what criteria they would like a responsibly invested pension to consider, with climate change and protecting the environment (43%) being highly rated in Edinburgh. Social factors such as health and safety (40%) and use of plastic (30%) following closely behind.
Sarah Pennells, Consumer Finance Specialist at Royal London, said: “It’s encouraging to see that so many people consider themselves to be climate conscious and our research shows that the nation is taking steps forward to improve the health of the planet.
“But we all need to look at our finances and their collective power to do well and do good. From helping reduce emissions to promoting diversity, pensions can be invested to support individuals in retirement whilst helping us all move towards a more sustainable world.”
With over half (57%) of UK 18-24-year-olds wanting their pension investments to harness a more sustainable planet, compared to just over a quarter (29%) of 65-year-olds and over, it’s clear there is still more that can be done to build a better understanding of inter-generational financial resilience for the future.
Finding out how to invest more responsibly
The research also found:
Royal London’s Invested Generation campaign recently launched a Facebook community https://www.facebook.com/groups/theinvestedgeneration/ which provides a range of support and resources for UK pension holders as to how they can best invest responsibly.
In addition, more information is also available on the Royal London website:
New homes launches in Edinburgh & Leeds target zero carbon city living
Niche housebuilder Artisan Real Estate has raised the bar for sustainable development with the launch of an ambitious design framework geared to achieving low to zero carbon city living.
The developer will now incorporate a set of rigorous guiding principles throughout the development cycle, governing both its environmental and social responsibility whilst responding to the changing requirements of home buyers and local communities across the UK.
Artisan is now applying the new design framework new residential developments in key UK regional centres – including Rowanbank Gardens in Corstorphine, Edinburgh and Kirkstall Place in Leeds.
The new framework will help define future development locations, with Artisan committing to the concept of ’15-minute neighbourhoods’ in primarily brownfield city centre areas. It also sets out a radical blueprint for smart building design and the use of innovative technology to reduce energy usage and promote sustainable and community-focused low carbon living.
“The environmental challenges which have been laid bare during COP 26 has accelerated the importance of changing the way we deliver new homes development,” explains Clive Wilding, Artisan’s Property Director.
“Artisan is a niche developer which has always striven for improvement by creating a lower carbon footprint in the homes and buildings we create – not just in delivery but throughout their multi-generational lifespan.
As well as reducing urban sprawl by optimising the number of people living in well-designed, sustainable homes in well-connected locations served by public transport, we are also pioneering the application of new technology to eliminate the use of fossil fuels whilst vastly reducing energy consumption.”
This design philosophy is being applied to two of Artisan’s soon-to-be launched regional developments – the 126 apartment Rowanbank Gardens in Corstorphine, Edinburgh and 263 new homes at Kirkstall Place in Leeds.
An innovative approach to placemaking and community has been matched with smart, energy-efficient building design geared to achieving low to zero carbon developments – with an open and landscaped environment set to benefit general health and well-being.
With no fossil fuels being used and both heating and hot water delivered through individual air source heat pumps, the developments provide smart energy-efficient design geared to achieving low to zero carbon ratings – with the added benefits of lower home-running costs.
Corstorphine’s Rowanbank Gardens (top) in particular has been designed to respond to the rapidly changing requirements of home buyers and the wider community post pandemic.
Apartments have been designed around an internal courtyard garden filled with fruit trees and communal planting beds and as well as a natural woodland area and play areas. And innovations such as green roofs ensure benefits of surface water retention, improved insulation whilst encouraging ecological biodiversity.
Clive Wilding continues: “Rowanbank Gardens in Edinburgh is a perfect showcase for the quality of sustainable development that Artisan is now committed to. At its heart is a sustainable design which reflects the demands of modern life, with buildings designed to minimise carbon footprint and maximise daylight.
“Significant emphasis is also placed on the quality of internal space and light to create enjoyable home-working environments, whilst accessible gardens and landscaping promote health and well-being by making nature and well-designed outdoor space integral to the day-to-day living experience.
He adds: “With Artisan’s Kirkstall Place development in Leeds, we are providing 263 family homes with large amounts of external space, providing a wide range of biodiversity. All the homes have been designed to meet our low carbon, non-fossil fuel standards.”
Artisan is perhaps best known for large-scale city regeneration projects like the award-winning New Waverley, which has transformed the heart of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town. The developer is now applying the same values and philosophy which has guided the successful design and execution of New Waverley to its residential developments, setting it apart from other major UK homebuilders.
“Remaining true to our urban regeneration credentials, at the heart of all Artisan’s developments is building a strong sense of place,” continues Clive Wilding. “We are specialising in niche urban developments in the most exciting parts of the city centre, creating a high-value premium product for a wide range of homebuyers, including young professionals, families and downsizers.
“Artisan now has an opportunity set a new benchmark for high quality urban regeneration in sensitive city-centre environments – whether it be commercial, residential or mixed-use. Our track record across the UK has given us a strong understanding of the importance of high quality placemaking, which is at the heart of all Artisan’s developments.”
For more information on Artisan’s commitment to sustainable development across the UK visit: www.artisanrealestate.co.uk
Edinburgh has become the first city in Scotland to be awarded with the highest rating for climate action.
Edinburgh is one of just 95 cities world-wide to be placed on the 2021 A List by CDP – an international charity which runs the world’s largest environmental disclosure system for companies and cities.
The A-List position recognises that Edinburgh has:
By publicly disclosing Edinburgh’s environmental data through CDP, the city’s performance is benchmarked against other cities and regions across the world, helping to highlight areas of action and improvement.
Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council Adam McVey said: “This international recognition is a fantastic accomplishment for Edinburgh. It recognises how transparent we’re being about the action we’re taking as a city to tackle climate change as well as the hard work which is already underway to support our 2030 target.
“Net-zero redevelopments like Granton Waterfront, improving our parks, food growing sites and urban forests have all delivered action as a city to help deliver net-zero. “
“Whilst COP26 may have just ended, with some disappointment on progress agreed by National Governments, Edinburgh’s work continues to build on the progress we’ve already made. And the strength of Edinburgh’s approach has been endorsed with being listed one of just 95 cities in the world to be awarded an A-list status by the CPD, the only city in Scotland.
“Our works as a council and as a city will continue over the coming months and years to help deliver a net zero, climate ready capital by 2030 and we know that’s what our residents are demanding of us.”
Depute leader Cammy Day said: “This recognition from CDP is welcome encouragement and reinforces that we’re on the right track.As Scotland’s capital, we’re delivering innovative and ground-breaking projects which will encourage change at the speed and scale needed to ensure our young people inherit a thriving, climate ready, sustainable city which is a cleaner and healthier place to live and work.
“However we can’t afford to become complacent and we need to keep on driving city-wide climate action and change, whilst ensuring that no one is left behind to help Edinburgh meet its climate targets.”
Fewer than 1/10 cities reporting to CDP made the A List in 2021. Findings from the charity show that A List cities take twice as many mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A List cities, and also identify more than twice as many opportunities – such as the development of sustainable transport sectors and clean technology businesses.
About CDP
CDP is a global non-profit that runs the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions. Founded in 2000 and working with more than 590 investors with over $110 trillion in assets, CDP pioneered using capital markets and corporate procurement to motivate companies to disclose their environmental impacts, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources and protect forests.
Over 14,000 organizations around the world disclosed data through CDP in 2021, including more than 13,000 companies worth over 64% of global market capitalization, and over 1,100 cities, states and regions. CDP is a founding member of the Science Based Targets initiative, We Mean Business Coalition, The Investor Agenda and the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative.
Visit cdp.net or follow @CDP to find out more.
Historic Environment Scotland has launched its new climate adaptation plan. ‘Climate ready HES’ sets out a series of actions that HES will undertake in order to prepare for, and review the risks and impacts associated with climate change, as Scotland experiences more extremities in weather and continues to move towards net zero.
The plan is a flagship deliverable of HES’s ambitious Climate Action Plan (2020-2025) and operates alongside other key climate action commitments, such as HES’ ambitions to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045.
Accelerating climate change is already posing a threat to Scotland’s historic environment and cultural heritage sites. Changes to the climate are increasing the frequency and intensity of physical climate risks, illustrated by the flash-flooding across Edinburgh in July 2021, which was the result of unprecedented heavy rainfall and directly impacted Edinburgh Castle.
In developing the plan, HES established a cross-organisational group to carry out a strategic level climate risk assessment which identified key climate risks where the organisation believes further action is required. The approach taken to carry out this assessment was informed by tools and guidance developed by Adaptation Scotland and its partners.
This new adaptation plan details HES’s primary adaptation response to the climate risks of concern identified. This is a series of priority actions including committing appropriate resources to climate change adaptation, mainstreaming ‘adaptation’ action into HES plans and policies, and integrating climate risk assessments into all relevant decisions the organisation takes.
These priority actions are crucial to reduce the impact of physical climate risks where possible, like extreme weather events and spread of invasive species, and to address additional risks that the organisation will be exposed to as society responds to the climate crisis and transitions towards a low-carbon economy.
Alex Paterson, Chief Executive of HES, said: “The need to be ‘climate ready’ and to proactively prepare for the risks and impacts associated with climate change has never been clearer – 2020 and 2021 have been marked by many notable extreme weather events occurring around the globe, with the influence of climate change clear to see.
“We hope that this plan will not only help to improve our organisation’s own resilience to the risks and impacts of climate change, and in turn that of Scotland’s historic environment, but also that it will bring benefits to the wider sector.”
Anna Beswick, Adaptation Scotland Programme Manager at Sniffer welcomed the new plan, saying: “Climate Ready HES’ tells a compelling story. It offers deep insights on the climate risks that are affecting the organisation and provides a very strong response to the climate crisis.
“The process of developing the strategy is as important as the document itself and I am delighted to see the high-level of engagement from across the organisation. This collective commitment is why Climate Ready HES is amongst the most progressive climate adaptation responses in Scotland. It will also be crucial in implementing the strategy.
“We congratulate our HES colleagues on reaching this important milestone and look forward to working together in the years ahead to enable Scotland to adapt to climate change.”
The plan outlines 28 key climate risks of concern to HES and that require further action that were identified in the strategic level climate risk assessment.
Many of these climate risks have also been identified in the Independent Assessment of UK Climate Risk, published by the Climate Change Committee in June 2021.
The climate risks identified group into five risk categories:
These risks will be addressed by implementing our ‘adaptation response’ that includes 10 priority actions, which are detailed in the plan.
A detailed methodology document will be released in the coming weeks that outlines the steps we took in preparing this plan.
The next steps in creating a circular economy in Scotland have been announced today, as Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater provided an update to parliament.
Actions include the appointment of waste and sustainability expert Dr Colin Church as the independent chair of the review into the role of incineration in the waste hierarchy in Scotland.
To support the review, which forms part of the cooperation deal with the Scottish Green Party, the Minister announced that planning authorities must now notify Scottish Ministers of any applications or decisions involving incineration facilities, until the end of the review period.
The Minister also announced the first round of funding through the Scottish Government’s £70 million Recycling Improvement Fund.
Over £7 million has been awarded to seven local authorities to increase recycling, while preparing for future developments, including Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme.
The Minister provided an update on the delivery of the scheme, noting the challenges posed by Brexit, the pandemic, and a lack of clarity from UK Government on the VAT treatment of deposits.
Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater said: “A circular economy is at the heart of Scotland’s response to the climate emergency and will help dramatically reduce the amount of waste generated in Scotland.
“We must also find better ways to deal with the waste our economy is currently creating. That’s why I’m pleased that Dr Colin Church will bring his wealth of experience from across the waste and environmental sectors to our review on the role of incineration.
“To make sure that any plans are closely monitored while the review is ongoing, we have issued a temporary notification direction today. This will ensure that Ministers are abreast of any new planning applications or planning decisions relating to incinerators. It is temporary and does not in any way pre-empt the outcome of the review.
“We’re also taking action to transform recycling in Scotland. Our Recycling Improvement Fund will deliver one of the biggest investments in recycling in Scotland in a generation. It will make it easier for households to recycle more, and help to deliver the rates of recycling needed to meet Scotland’s ambitious climate targets.
“We are committed to introducing the UK’s first deposit return scheme, helping to increase recycling, reduce littering, and meet our climate targets. While the scheme has been impacted by Brexit and a global pandemic, we are working intensively with Circularity Scotland and industry to make sure it is delivered effectively.”
Over the last two weeks, tens of thousands of people from 196 countries have come together in the UK to make history. The ‘Glasgow Climate Pact’ reached last night commits countries to phase down unabated coal, supports a just transition for developing countries and action to tackle loss and damage, and agrees for the first time a common timeframe and methodology for national commitments on emissions reductions.
Crucially, countries are also asked to return next year with a more ambitious 2030 emissions reductions target (their Nationally Determined Contribution) in line with the 1.5C target, ensuring we maintain crucial momentum on climate action this decade.
The UK will continue to push for greater action on reducing emissions and supporting developing countries with finance and access to new green technology over the next year of our COP Presidency, before Egypt take on the mantle.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “We asked nations to come together for our planet at COP26, and they have answered that call. I want to thank the leaders, negotiators and campaigners who made this pact happen – and the people of Glasgow who welcomed them with open arms.
“I also want particularly to thank COP President Alok Sharma who has worked incredibly hard to bring countries together.
“There is still a huge amount more to do in the coming years. But today’s agreement is a big step forward and, critically, we have the first ever international agreement to phase down coal and a roadmap to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
“I hope that we will look back on COP26 in Glasgow as the beginning of the end of climate change, and I will continue to work tirelessly towards that goal.”
The negotiated text agreed last night comes on the back of a series of pledges and announcements made during the COP26 World Leaders Summit and theme days, which have driven transformative action on coal, cars, cash and trees and mark a shift in the relationship between people and planet.
On coal, 65 countries have now committed to phasing out the use of coal power. All major coal financing countries have committed to end international coal finance by the end of 2021, with $20 billion in funding to support the transition to clean power announced at COP26. There is now more work to be done to ensure all major emitters sign up to phase out coal.
On cars, we worked to build consensus on the pace of the transition to zero emission vehicles. Over 30 countries and some of the world’s largest car makers committed to work together to make all new car sales zero emission globally by 2040, and by 2035 in leading markets, building on the UK’s commitment to end the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
On cash, more public and private finance has been mobilised to support climate action in developing countries than ever before and the global financial system is aligning behind a net zero world.
New pledges made at COP26 bring us closer to meeting the $100bn annual climate finance target next year and ensure we will exceed it after that, as well as mobilising billions in private finance and green investment. Governments have committed to double the overall finance for adaptation and better address the threat of loss and damage in climate-vulnerable countries – we will now work with all countries to make good on those pledges.
And on trees, more than 130 leaders, representing over 90% of the world’s forests, pledged at COP26 to end deforestation by 2030, backed by almost £14 billion of public and private funding.
The COP26 Summit follows nearly two years of intensive global climate diplomacy, led by UK COP President Alok Sharma, to listen to the needs of climate-vulnerable countries and push big economies to take greater action on cutting emissions. At least 90% of the global economy is now covered by net zero commitments, up from 30% when the UK took on the COP presidency in 2019, and 154 countries and parties representing 80% of global emissions have submitted NDCS.
The UK will continue to work with other countries to deliver on the Glasgow Climate Pact and drive further action, working closely with Egypt which will take over the COP Presidency in November 2022.
Commenting on the agreement of the Glasgow Climate Pact at the conclusion of the UN Climate Conference COP 26, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Glasgow should be very proud of the warm welcome that it has given to COP26.
“The city has truly risen to the occasion and played its part by welcoming thousands of delegates, representatives, scientists and climate activists from around the world.
“I also want to thank and pay tribute to the efforts of the UN, the UNFCCC led by Patricia Espinosa and COP26 President Alok Sharma and his negotiators for their hard work and commitment.
“The Glasgow Climate Pact does not contain everything that every country wanted and there is understandable disappointment that key issues were watered down in the final hours, but there can be no doubt that the Glasgow summit has made progress on some important issues.
“The importance of capping temperature increases at 1.5 degrees is no longer questioned and the need for countries to come back next year with higher contributions to tackling emissions may just be enough to keep 1.5 alive – if countries including Scotland really do deliver on our commitments.
“There have been significant commitments to double finance for adaptation, to take action on methane and deforestation and the beginning of proper recognition of the loss and damage that is being experienced by countries particularly in the global south. Those countries compromised on their needs today to make progress and we must not let them down.
“Over the course of COP26 Scotland has put £2 million on the table for loss and damage and, in doing so, we have become the first developed country to step up. Our action has already galvanised $3 million dollars of philanthropic funds to add to our contribution and a further one million euros from Wallonia.
“Developed countries can no longer in good conscience ignore this pressing moral issue. The demand for financial support for loss and damage must be met and I am determined that the Scottish Government will continue to support countries to achieve a financial outcome on this issue ahead of COP27.
“There is also recognition for the first time, although it is deeply disappointing that due to last minute interventions by China and India it is not as strong and clear as it should be, of the need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, a journey Scotland has already embarked on – and needs to accelerate – in a way that is fair and just.
“Outside of the formal negotiations, states, regions and countries like Scotland – as well as cities like Glasgow – have boosted our collective ambition to reach net zero by 2050 and earlier where possible. Scotland has led the way with commitments to make sure women and young people are central to our efforts to tackle the climate crisis.
“While there has been much positive progress, there is no escaping the fact that COP26 has not delivered as much as global south countries, activists and campaigners rightly demanded and I firmly believe that the leaders of the rich developed countries must go further.
“In particular, the failure to close the gap and deliver the $100 billion commitment in full was not a lack of funds but a lack of political will.
“I have heard the disappointment of a number of vulnerable nations. There was more that could be done to deliver climate justice and every day of the next 12 months the UK Presidency must be focused on securing what has been agreed, ensuring historic promises do not go unmet and taking the necessary steps to put the world firmly on an irreversible path to capping temperature rises at 1.5 degrees.
“Where COP26 has succeeded, the pressure from young people, the global south and activists around the world has been critical. Where COP has more to do, it is leaders who must shoulder the responsibility.”
Environmental activist Greta Thunberg took to Twitter to record her feelings on the conference outcome: “The #COP26 is over. Here’s a brief summary: Blah, blah, blah. But the real work continues outside these halls. And we will never give up, ever.“
She added: “Unless we achieve immediate, drastic, unprecedented, annual emission cuts at the source then that means we’re failing when it comes to this climate crisis.
“‘Small steps in the right direction’, ‘making some progress’ or ‘winning slowly’ equals losing. #COP26 #UprootTheSystem“