Tag: environment

Nature not a “blocker” to housing delivery, MPs find in new report

Nature is not a “blocker” to delivering new housing, but rather a necessity for building resilient towns and neighbourhoods, MPs argue in a new report.

In its report on ‘Environmental sustainability and housing growth’, Westminster’s cross-party Environmental Audit Committee challenges the “lazy narrative” that nature is a blocker or an inconvenience to delivering housing. 

The Committee finds that the measures contained in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, passing through final stages in Parliament, are not enough to allow the Government to meet its targets on both the environment and housing. 

MPs also find that without further action, severe skills shortages in ecology, planning and construction will make it impossible for the Government to deliver on its housebuilding ambitions. 

A full summary of the Committee’s conclusions and recommendations is included below. 

Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee Toby Perkins MP said: “The Government’s target to build 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament is incredibly ambitious.

“Achieving it alongside our existing targets on climate and sustainability – which are set in law – will require effort on a scale not seen before. 

“That certainly will not be achieved by scapegoating nature, claiming that it is a “blocker” to housing delivery. We are clear in our report: a healthy environment is essential to building resilient towns and cities. It must not be sidelined. 

“There are certainly issues standing in the way of meeting both our housebuilding and environmental targets. 

“For instance, the skills we need in construction, planning and ecology simply do not exist at the scale we need right now. The Government has made welcome investments in construction skills, but it may not be enough, and staff at local authorities and regulators are already stretched to their limit.  

“We also need much better incentives for people to construct and live in carbon-friendly homes, or to retrofit existing ones. That’s why this report suggests innovative approaches to boost manufacturing viability of climate friendly construction products and alter the tax burden in favour of climate friendly homes. 

“It is possible to build the homes we need while protecting a resilient and healthy environment and allowing nature to thrive. Some major changes might be needed, but nature is not the enemy.” 

Nature must not be a “scapegoat” for housebuilding issues 

While the Committee acknowledges and welcomes the Government’s amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill (PIB) it says these changes are not enough on their own to ensure the Government can meet its environmental targets alongside housing targets. 

“The Government must not veer down the path of viewing nature as an inconvenience or blocker to housebuilding,” the Committee says. “At worst, this approach could lead to the degradation of the natural world, preventing the achievement of legally binding climate and nature targets, upon which our society and economy depend.” 

Skills shortages put targets in question 

The Committee finds that local planning authorities are severely under-resourced in ecological skills. It heard evidence that staff at Natural England are “stretched to their limits”, that the skills needed to deliver the ecological aspects of planning reforms “simply do not exist at the scale, quality or capacity that is needed”. 

The Committee recommends the Government establish a pilot programme for local ecological resource hubs, available to local authorities facing acute resources challenges, by July 2026. 

It also recommends that the Government set out a realistic analysis of the construction workforce required to deliver housing targets and the skills that will be needed, and to clearly lay out how Natural England will operate amid staffing cuts and the additional responsibilities that will apply when the Planning and Infrastructure Bill is enacted.  

Planning rule changes prioritise growth over the environment 

Throughout its inquiry, the Committee heard repeated concerns that the Government’s changes to the presumption in favour of sustainable development, made in the 2024 review of the National Planning Policy Framework, would lead to the environment being “sidelined”. 

The Committee finds that the present form of the presumption could result in unsustainable and speculative development. The Committee recommends that the Government amend the current definition of the presumption, to give greater weight to sustainability. It should also strengthen safeguards against environmentally unsustainable, unplanned and speculative development. 

More incentives for greener homes 

The Committee concludes that the Government must accelerate policies to decrease the carbon emissions of the built environment. MPs recommend the Government should consider steps it could take to incentivise homeowners, housebuilders, landlords and tenants to favour homes with lower levels of embodied carbon.  

The Committee also recommends the Government review tax policies such as Council Tax and Stamp Duty to consider the merit of offering lower bands of taxation for homes with lower levels of embodied carbon.

Biodiversity net gain needs more time to succeed

The Committee offers support for the government’s Biodiversity net gain policy. It says it is too early to assess the overall success of BNG but warns against introducing new wide-ranging exemptions to BNG. Whilst accepting minor alterations to the policy, MPs say the Government should not exempt all small sites to ensure that the effectiveness of the policy is maintained. 

The Committee also recommends that the Government should: 

  • Incentivise the use of sustainable building materials such as timber or hemp, e.g. by introducing eco-labelling to identify materials with lower embodied carbon and offer support to further expansion of manufacturers in these fields.
  • Consult on incentives to develop houses with lower full lifecycle carbon, such as a levy on new build properties containing higher levels of lifecycle carbon.
  • Prioritise retrofitting over demolition by reducing VAT on retrofit projects from 20% and confirm that a property brought back into use would count towards housebuilding targets. 

Draft Climate Change Plan published

Scotland’s net zero pathway mapped out

‘‘Dreadful’ Climate Plan does nothing for households, workers and communities’

Communities will ‘benefit from cleaner air, warmer homes and new job opportunities’ under draft plans to cut emissions published yesterday.

The draft Climate Change Plan to 2040 sets out actions designed to reduce Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions and meet our first three carbon budgets, whilst supporting jobs, growth and community regeneration.

Scotland is already over half way to net zero having reduced emissions by 51.3% since 1990 – the largest reduction in the UK and faster than the EU average, using comparable statistics.

The new plan details over 150 policies and proposals building on this progress, including:

  • setting a target to decarbonise building heat systems by 2045
  • phasing out new diesel and petrol cars by 2030
  • increasing woodland creation so that by 2029/30 18,000 hectares are planted every year, with 21% woodland cover in Scotland by 2032
  • increasing peatland restoration by 10% each year to 2030

The independent Climate Change Committee has emphasised the necessity for shared delivery and collaboration between national governments given between 30-60% of the emissions reduction required in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be in areas of policy that are mostly reserved.

A consultation on the Plan will run until 29 January 2026

Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Raising awareness of climate action has never been so important, with communities across Scotland and around the world already being affected – through flooding, heatwaves and wildfires.

“This draft plan includes over 150 actions across sectors such as transport, heat in buildings and agriculture that are key to achieving Scotland’s net zero goal while supporting people to make and adjust to the changes required.

“It also describes how we will seize and fairly distribute the opportunities from the transition to net zero – from new jobs, inclusive growth and better infrastructure to improved public services and healthier people – thanks to cleaner air, warmer homes and wealthier communities.

“The plan does not ask the impossible of people. We will not sacrifice people’s health or wealth. 

“Through this consultation, everyone has a voice in shaping the final plan to inform future decision making and ensure that we reach our net zero in a way that is fair, ambitious and capable of rising to the emergency before us.”

Scotland’s climate coalition has welcomed publication of the Scottish Government’s draft climate routemap. However, it says there are major missed opportunities to reduce emissions in some of the most polluting sectors in ways that deliver meaningful improvements to the lives of people in Scotland.

The Scottish Government’s draft Climate Change Plan (CCP), released today, sets out how it believes the country will reduce emissions in line with national climate targets. The draft will now be scrutinised by MSPs, and the public will have the opportunity to have their say. 

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) says the final plan must have increased focus on tangible and urgent action that is funded fairly, with reduced reliance on unproven technologies.

Ahead of conducting a full assessment of the plan, Dr Mike Robinson, chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, said: “Publication of this long-awaited draft plan represents a step forward but if positive intentions are not matched with urgent delivery the plan risks being meaningless. 

“Ministers needed to go much further in the most polluting sectors through things like free public transport, meaningful reform to farming support and legislation to drive changes in the way we heat our homes.

“Projections show the financial benefits of following carbon-cutting measures proposed in the draft CCP are almost 10 times the cost of implementing them – that’s a win-win for people and the planet. 

“This plan must now undergo robust scrutiny to test its effectiveness, feasibility and ambition. It needs to be strengthened, with a clearer focus on immediate action that rapidly cuts emissions in ways that address the daily struggles many people are facing and unlock the benefits of fair climate action. 

“Scottish ministers must also prove their commitment to funding the final Plan in a way that’s genuinely fair by making polluters pay for their damage.

“There can be no more climate action delays or mis-steps – nor a continued gamble on as yet unproven technology to bail us out.”

‘Dreadful’ Climate Plan does nothing for households, workers and communities

Environmental campaigners Friends of the Earth Scotland have reacted to the draft Climate Plan from the Scottish Government saying it “will barely scratch the surface” on climate emissions in the coming years.

The “dreadful” plan contains nothing to help oil workers, people struggling to pay energy bills or communities cut off from bus services, campaigners say.  


In 2024, the Scottish Government weakened its climate commitments after years of failure by Ministers to deliver on promises.

Public support for climate action remains high with the overwhelming majority of people in Scotland concerned about climate breakdown.

Climate campaigners along with Palestine solidarity groups, migrant justice organisations and grassroots groups are organising a major climate march through Glasgow on Saturday 15th November. It is part of a Global Day of Action in the middle of the United Nations climate talks in Brazil.  


Friends of the Earth Scotland head of campaigns Caroline Rance commented: “This is a dreadful plan that will barely scratch the surface never mind get us back on track to meet our climate commitments.   
 
“There is nothing here to help people who are struggling to pay their energy bills, communities cut off by unreliable buses, or oil workers worried about their future. 
 
“Government Ministers have made a decision not to implement any available climate solutions that would help people in Scotland to tackle either the cost of living andor climate breakdown.

“Previous plans to get cars off the road have been completely gutted and buses and trains are treated as an afterthought.  
 


“The carbon capture pipe dream is unrealistic as ever, only pushed slightly further into the future. What are we going to do in 2040 when this technology inevitably fails as it has done for the past fifty years?” 

Oxfam Scotland welcomes publication of the Plan, which outlines the policies and actions which the Scottish Government believes will deliver emission cuts consistent with ending Scotland’s net impact on the climate by 2045.

The Scottish Parliament now begins a crucial 120-day scrutiny period.

Oxfam Scotland says that, alongside testing whether the Plan will achieve the emission cuts needed, this scrutiny period must fully stress-test the fairness of the Plan.

With clear evidence that, on average, the richer you are the more you pollute, campaigners say that fairness must be central to the final Plan – including how faster action is paid for.

While recognising that the costs of inaction will be even higher, the Scottish Government estimates the price tag of delivering the Plan, once savings generated are taken into account, to be £4.8 billion, but says little about where the money will come from.

Oxfam Scotland says the upcoming Scottish Budget and multi-year Spending Review must prove that the Scottish Government is serious about funding the Plan fairly

It comes as the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, Gillian Martin MSP, prepares to travel to Belém in Brazil to attend the UN climate talks, COP30.

Responding, Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said: “A liveable planet is priceless so Scotland’s new Climate Plan must make an unwavering investment in all our futures, giving us: cleaner air, healthier lives, stable, green jobs and shielding us from extreme weather.

“However, right now, the roadmap on how Scottish Ministers plan to pay for their policy ambitions is little more than a sketch. To succeed, this Plan must be backed by major new public funding, delivered fairly with the biggest polluters and the better off footing the bill.

“It’s time Ministers were straight about where the pounds behind their promises to stop pumping out pollution will come from: Ministers need to show us the money.”                                                   

The draft Climate Change Plan to 2040.

scotlands-draft-climate-change-plan-20262040Download

A consultation on the Plan will run until 29 January 2026

Scottish pupils lead climate crisis talks in Edinburgh COP30 negotiation

More than 100 pupils from 13 schools transformed into world leaders at the University of Edinburgh last week, engaging in high-stakes climate crisis negotiations to mirror the upcoming UN COP30 conference in Belém, Brazil.

In a United Nations debate simulation organised by the British Council in partnership with the University of Edinburgh and Learning for Sustainability Scotland, students experienced firsthand the complex challenges of international climate diplomacy.

Using cutting-edge simulation software developed by MIT, the pupils took on roles as delegates from major nations, corporate lobbyists, and international media representatives, all working to tackle the critical goal of keeping global warming below 1.5°C.

During the negotiations, the pupils had to collectively agree on how much to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, how they would help struggling nations, and agree on ways to adapt to climate change to protect their cities and people. 

Leading the negotiations were pupils Siri Isaksson-Galbraith and Alyssa Haston, from West Calder High School who shared the role of the United Nations Secretariat (top).

Speaking in their role as UN Secretary Generals, they had a message for world leaders ahead of COP30 in Brazil: “Today in Edinburgh, we’ve experienced firsthand how difficult climate negotiations can be, but also how essential they are. We’ve learned that every country has different challenges, but we all share the same planet and the same future.

“The decisions being made at COP30 will shape our lives, our communities, and our world. We urge world leaders to listen to youth voices, to act with urgency, and to remember that compromise doesn’t mean giving up on ambition.

“The climate crisis affects us all, but it doesn’t affect us equally. We must ensure that those most vulnerable are heard and supported. From Scotland to Brazil, young people are ready to lead, but we need action now.”

Did they reach a consensus?

The challenge was to negotiate between countries to keep warming under 2°C by the end of the century, and to aim for under 1.5°C. By the end of the debate, pupils collectively agreed to keep global warming at 1.6°C, just over the mark of the Paris Agreement target. This means they were over the target, but made headway with strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support nations, and develop adaptation measures to protect cities and people.

The debate simulation was led by climate expert Professor Pete Higgins, Chair in Outdoor, Environmental and Sustainability Education at the University of Edinburgh.

Speaking at the event, Professor Pete Higgins said: “Today’s debate couldn’t be more timely. We’re living through a period of significant political uncertainty, which makes climate diplomacy more complex than ever.

“What impressed me most was how quickly these young people grasped the competing priorities and difficult trade-offs involved, whilst maintaining their determination to find common ground.

“Young people often feel powerless when it comes to climate change, but events like this show that they have both the understanding and the diplomatic skills to navigate these challenges. My hope is that the negotiators at COP30 will show the same wisdom and commitment to meaningful action that these young citizens have demonstrated today.”

Claire de Braekeleer, Director British Council Scotland added: “This UN debate simulation puts young people in Scotland at the heart of the global climate debate.

“As COP30 starts in Belém next week, these pupils are gaining crucial insights into how these climate negotiations work. They are also building the diplomatic skills and understanding that will be vital for the international cooperation we desperately need.

“We believe that young people are the key to driving positive climate action, and today demonstrates how collaborating globally with empathy and understanding is the way forward.”

The simulation was part of the British Council’s Schools Connect programme, which aims to bring international perspectives into the curriculum. Students engaged in realistic debates, negotiated complex agreements, and balanced competing interests of nations.

Through the Climate Connection programme, the British Council is also supporting people globally to find creative solutions to climate change in support of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil.

The British Council is supporting the summit by engaging with networks of education professionals, students, academics, researchers, artists, civil society leaders and policymakers to participate in meaningful dialogue and bring about real change for our planet.

This initiative continues the work of the British Council’s Schools Connect programme for schools in the UK and around the world, building connection, understanding and trust between people in the UK and overseas through arts, education and English language teaching.

For more information about the British Council’s work in Scotland, visit:

https://www.britishcouncil.org/ or follow on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Climate Action Secretary at COP30

SCOTLAND’s Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin will continue to push for more ambitious climate action when she attends the COP30 UN Climate Summit in Brazil this month.

In recognition of Scotland’s leadership positions as Regions4 President and European co-chair of the Under2 Coalition, Ms Martin’s schedule will include engagements with member representatives from both organisations  – to help strengthen the influence of devolved, state and regional governments within international climate discussions.

Ms Martin will also:  

  • Share learning from Climate Justice Fund programmes, including the often-overlooked non-economic impacts of climate change, such as loss of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge
  • Take part in panel sessions on climate justice and human mobility with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Brazilian Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
  • Meet with youth activists and civil society partners from the global south, including participants in Climate Just Communities Programmes, to hear first-hand how they are being impacted by climate change

Ms Martin said: “We have a unique opportunity as Under2 European co-chair and Regions4 president, to champion the essential work taking place across the globe to support vulnerable communities who are at most risk from the impacts of climate change.

“I will continue to use these leadership positions at COP30 to advocate for accelerated action to tackle the devastating impacts of our warming planet, and for greater inclusion in international climate discussions.  

“Scotland’s commitment to ending our contribution to global emissions by 2045 at the latest is ambitious, but it is achievable. We will shortly be publishing our draft Climate Change Plan setting out the policies needed to meet our first three carbon budget targets, while supporting people to adjust to the changes required.”

Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) Advocacy and Communications Manager Line K. Christensen said: “It is vital that Scotland has a strong voice at COP30.

“The challenges we face are global, and Scotland’s presence ensures that our values of innovation and climate justice are part of the international conversation.

“The Cabinet Secretary’s participation will allow Scotland to continue its leadership on Loss and Damage, and to demonstrate that we are a nation standing shoulder to shoulder with countries around the world on the frontline of the climate crisis.” 

New opportunity for local groups to lease windfarm sites

Sharing the gains of clean energy

Local communities are to get new opportunities to benefit from renewable energy developments under a pilot scheme announced by the Scottish Government.

Community groups, from South Lanarkshire to the Highlands, will be given the chance to lease one of 10 publicly-owned Forestry Land and Scotland (FLS) sites with windfarms as they approach repowering.

The pilot, which makes changes to the Community Asset Transfer Scheme (CATS), will provide a protected window for local groups to make an asset transfer request to lease FLS sites to extend the operational life of the windfarms.

The new approach, developed with FLS, will help strengthen the community asset transfer process which enables communities to request to buy or lease publicly owned land they feel they could make better use of.

Other changes to CATS will see community groups given: 

  • advance notification of upcoming lease opportunities, so they have time to prepare asset transfer requests before sites go to market 
  • dedicated guidance for repowering projects, including support on financing projects, evaluation and governance  
  • targeted support through the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), including help to develop proposals

Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Ownership and control of land is a powerful tool for communities to drive change and can help to develop local economies, provide activities and services, and boost community identity.  

“These new measures will make it easier for groups across Scotland to reap the rewards from renewable energy projects on Forestry Land Scotland sites with the potential to deliver real benefits to a local area.  

“It is yet another way that we are ensuring that communities can benefit from Scotland’s transition to renewable energy and that we are helping provide a just transition to net zero for people across the country.” 

Community Energy Scotland CEO Zoe Holliday said: “We have seen time and time again the transformation impact of land ownership and ownership of energy assets on communities across Scotland. 

“Right now, repowering of private developments represents one of the biggest opportunities to upscale the community energy sector at pace and meet the Scottish Government’s community energy targets; community energy groups are increasingly ambitious but gaining grid access continues to be a challenge, which is why taking on existing sites has so much potential. 

“Today’s announcement is a promising first step by the Scottish Government in starting to open up the public estate for large community energy projects and we look forward to working with them to continue to unlock opportunities for the community energy sector going forward.”

Updates to the Community Asset Transfer Scheme will be implemented by the end of the year, following further engagement with stakeholders, including Community Energy Scotland, community groups and developers. 

These measures will apply to projects with a maximum generation capacity of 50MW, reflecting the current scale of community energy initiatives.

The ten sites approaching the need for repowering are:

Scheme NameIndicative Repowering yearLA
Black Law2032South Lanarkshire
An Suidhe2033Argyll & Bute
Camster2035Highland
Myres Hill2036East Renfrewshire
Stroupster2038Highland
Burn of Whilk2038Highland
Clashindarroch2041Aberdeenshire
A’ Chruach2043Argyll & Bute
Beinn An Tuirc 32047Argyll & Bute
West Benhar2048North Lanarkshire

The shocking scale of Halloween-related waste

As Halloween fast approaches, many are preparing for the spooky season, with a 5,000% increase in UK searches over the past month for “Halloween costumes” and a 400% increase in searches for “pumpkin carving ideas”.

However, councils across the UK are warning of levels of waste caused by discarded pumpkins, plastic costumes, and decorations.

The experts at Rainbow Rubbish Removals therefore urge households to think green this Halloween, revealing exactly how much food and plastic waste occurs during this season and tips on how to to reduce waste this year.

The True Cost of Halloween: Equivalent of 83 million plastic bottles

An estimated 42% of UK consumers buy a pumpkin for carving, equivalent to roughly 30 million pumpkins purchased.

This results in more than 18,000 tonnes of edible pumpkins ending up in the bin. Since it can take up to 20 years for a pumpkin to break down in a landfill, the environmental impact is far greater than what most people realise.

As they decompose, pumpkins release methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. 

Every year, around seven million Halloween costumes are thrown away in the UK, which is an estimated  2,000 tonnes of plastic waste. About 83% of these outfits are made from polyester, a material that can take anywhere from 20 to 200 years to decompose. When these synthetic fabrics break down, they release microplastics and greenhouse gases, polluting the environment and harming wildlife. 

Miroslav Radov, waste expert at Rainbow Rubbish Removals commented: “Much of Halloween waste can easily be avoided. Most carved pumpkins are perfectly edible, yet millions are discarded instead of being cooked or composted.

“The popularity of single-use costumes and decorations also means tonnes of plastic end up in landfill after just one night’s use.

“With Halloween celebrations growing every year, the environmental impact is increasing, creating what councils are calling a ‘frightening trend’ of seasonal waste that puts further strain on local recycling and collection services.”

Councils calling for increased Halloween recycling

Local councils across the UK are urging residents to think twice before throwing away pumpkins, costumes, and decorations this Halloween.

Many are running pumpkin collection and composting schemes, while others are hosting costume swap events or providing dedicated recycling drop-offs for decorations. Before purchasing a brand new costume this year, check if your city offers a ‘swap shop’, as it’s a great initiative aimed at encouraging sustainable living, reducing single-use waste and helping families save money.

Emma Stokes, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, warns: “People might think leaving pumpkins out for wildlife is a good idea, but rotting pumpkins can actually harm animals, especially hedgehogs.

“We encourage everyone to enjoy their pumpkins to the fullest so try out some new recipes, or dispose of pumpkins responsibly by composting or repurposing.”

Giles Hughes, Chief Executive at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Switching from new shop bought costumes to making something from old clothing or buying second-hand is another way to be more sustainable.

“Charity shops, apps such as Vinted, and Facebook Marketplace will all have lots of options in the weeks leading up to Halloween.” 

How to make a difference at home:

Reducing Halloween waste doesn’t have to be difficult, as just a few simple swaps can make a far less damaging impact on the environment:

  • Compost your pumpkins – Cook the edible parts for soup or alternative recipes such as pumpkin pie, and compost the leftovers instead of binning them.
  • Reuse or swap costumes – Trade with friends or shop second-hand to cut down on single-use plastics.
  • Choose sustainable decorations – Opt for recyclable, reusable, or biodegradable materials instead of plastic-heavy decor.
  • Recycle right – Separate recyclable items like cardboard and bottles, and check your local council’s Halloween recycling guidance.
  • Plan your purchases – Buy only what you need and avoid excessive packaging or disposable partyware.
  • Get creative – Upcycle old clothes and household materials into unique DIY costumes and decorations.

Circular Economy Strategy consultation

Draft plan to increase reuse and recycling whilst growing the economy

Proposals aimed at creating new jobs and driving economic growth by keeping materials and goods in use for as long as possible have been published for consultation.

The draft Circular Economy Strategy sets out plans to increasing reuse, repair and recycling rates, for example by:

  • increasing the reuse of construction materials
  • supporting sustainable alternatives to fast-fashion
  • increasing EV battery re-purposing, recycling and material reprocessing
  • exploring ways to cut food waste

The draft Strategy will develop sector specific road-maps for four of the five sectors with the greatest potential for increasing reuse, repair and recycling rates in Scotland – the built environment, net zero energy infrastructure, textiles and food. Actions for the fifth sector, transport, will be included in the forthcoming draft Climate Change Plan.

Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Reducing, reusing and recycling materials has a huge role to play in Scotland’s response to tackling the climate crisis.

“It also brings huge benefits to households and communities – from lowering the costs of items and creating new jobs to cutting the amount of litter on our streets, helping to improve our local environment and protect wildlife.  

“By supporting Scotland to move towards a culture where keeping materials and goods in use for as long as possible is the norm, we will also be able to drive economic growth by increasing the resilience of our supply-chains and encouraging innovation.

“This consultation outlines priority sectors key to cutting waste and capitalising on the economic opportunities that a circular economy presents to businesses. I urge everyone to take part.”

Take part in the consultation: A Draft Circular Economy Strategy for Scotland – gov.scot

Clean air success: penalty charges down 48% in Edinburgh since LEZ introduction

UK motorists face £12 million in monthly clean air and low emission zone penalties

  • Over £627 million has been generated by Clean Air Zones (CAZ) and Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in the UK
  • On average 200,000 fines are issued to motorists driving through these zones each month
  • Almost 8 million penalty charge notices (PCNs) have been issued in London since 2019
  • On average, UK cities have seen a 39% decrease in penalty charge notices since their introduction

Clean Air Zones (CAZ) and Low Emission Zones (LEZ) are designed to improve air quality, by charging drivers of high-polluting vehicles that enter into a specific area. London was the first city to introduce one of these zones, with a number of other cities following suit in recent years.

With this in mind, taxi insurance specialists ChoiceQuote aimed to determine the number of vehicles fined since the introduction of clean air and low emission zones, how much each council has fined drivers in this period and whether these zones are effectively deterring high-pollution vehicles from the area or motivating people to invest in low emission vehicles.

In total, over 11 million Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) have been issued by councils since their introduction of clean air and low emission zones. However on average, the number of PCN issued has decreased by 39% since their introduction which is encouraging to see.

The study analysed Freedom of Information data from Transport for London and local councils across the UK to identify which areas have issued the most fines and which have experienced the largest decreases in PCN since the introduction of the zones.

How many penalty charge notices have been issued by UK councils?

CityTotal PCNTotal £Avg Monthly PCNsAvg Monthly £
Aberdeen        33,850£5,015,160          2,821£417,930
Birmingham   2,196,729£100,766,280        47,755£2,190,571
Bristol   1,045,013£125,401,56037,322£4,478,627
Dundee        16,696£2,282,340          1,284£175,565
Edinburgh        51,015£5,261,520          3,924£404,732
Glasgow        72,100£7,267,800            3,005£302,825
London   7,814,614£386,293,224      108,536£5,365,184

Over £627 million has been generated by clean air and low emission zones throughout the UK, with almost 200,000 PCNs given out per month on average, amounting to over 11 million since the zones first began.

London launched its Ultra Low Emission Zone in 2019, initially covering inner London, before, expanding to cover all 32 boroughs by 2023[1]. In its five years of operation the capital has received over £386 million in fines during this period, with over 108,000 penalty charge notices being issued each month to drivers.

Birmingham introduced its clean air zone in June 2021 and over a 48 month period, drivers in the city have received over 2 million fines, averaging out at nearly 48,000 per month. This equates to fines of over £100 million, or nearly £2.2 million per month.

Bristol Introduced its clean air zone in 2022 and has issued fines totalling over £125 million, or an average of £3.2 million per month. Despite receiving fewer fines overall, Bristol drivers pay £1.2 million more on average per month than drivers in Birmingham. This suggests a significant presence of repeat offenders in Bristol, which raises the average fine amount from £60 to up to £960.

Which cities have seen the biggest decrease in penalty charge notices?

City% decrease in PCNs
Dundee*52%
Edinburgh*48%
Aberdeen*35%
Glasgow**35%
Birmingham**33%
Bristol**28%

(London data excluded due to expansion of ULEZ in 2021 and 2023 inflating figures)

* % decrease since the introduction of CAZ and LEZs                                                                **Yearly average decreases in number of PCNs

On average, there has been a 39% drop in the number of PCNs handed out to motorists, as more drivers either avoid clean air and low emission zones entirely, or upgrade to compliant vehicles.

Since Dundee implemented its low emission zone in June 2024, the city has experienced a 52% reduction in PCNs. In June 2024, 2,117 charges were issued, with this number dropping to 1,014 by June 2025.

While the number of PCNs issued has decreased by over half, the amount fined has increased by £31,320 to £167,160 in June 2025. This is due to an increasing number of drivers being charged a higher fine for driving through the zone multiple times.

Edinburgh has experienced the second most significant decrease in PCNs. The Scottish capital issued 6,039 fines issued in June 2024, compared to just 3,157 in June 2025.

Aberdeen has seen a 35% reduction in PCNs issued since June 2024. Initially, 3,751 fines were issued in June 2024, but by May 2025, this number had decreased to 2,437. Notably, in May 2025, only 1,727 vehicles were caught driving through low emission zones for the first time, compared to 3,387 vehicles in June 2024.

However, 262 vehicles received their fifth fine within a 12-month period, resulting in a fine of £960, significantly higher than the £60 penalty for a first-time offence.

Phil Leese, Taxi and Specialist Motor Trading Manager at insurance broker ChoiceQuote, comments: “It’s positive to see that the introduction of low emission and clean air zones within UK cities is working in minimising the amount of high polluting vehicles travelling through congested areas.

“In some areas the number of fines issued has reduced by half! These zones have influenced driving habits, not only by prompting drivers to avoid certain areas but also by encouraging investment in more environmentally friendly vehicles.

“Data indicates that while a high number of people were charged in the first month of low emission and clean air zone introductions people are now aware of which roads to avoid if their vehicle is not compliant. However, if you are visiting a city for the first time is can be tricky to navigate which roads you can and can’t travel on.

“Motorists are advised to look out for signs indicating the boundaries of clean air and low emission zones within a city and do their research on whether their vehicle is compliant before making any journeys through these zones.

“If you are a Google or Apple Maps user, these apps will provide you with alternative routes to avoid restrictions so it’s important to always pay attention and plan your route before setting off on your journey.”

Winter of ‘giant rats’ looming?

YOUR TAKEAWAYS COULD BE THE CULPRIT

Recent reports warn that a ‘winter of rats’ is around the corner, highlighting growing infestations across the country. Brits haven’t taken the warning lightly, and have been querying how to get rid of rats the most this week, with a 69% uptick in searches. 

Experts at Rainbow Rubbish removals have provided expert advice on preventing rats in the home, as rat populations peak.

Five expert tips to prevent rats in the home

  1. Get rid of food and water sources

Rainbow Rubbish removals warn that this could be a particularly bad winter for rats. Seasonal events and colder weather means higher levels of discarded takeaway food, which provides a ready source of nourishment for the pests. We’re seeing more reports in the UK of ‘giant rats’ because there’s plenty of food for them to eat.

Overflowing bins and easy access to homes make it simple for rats to thrive. Their presence is more than just a nuisance: rats can spread diseases through droppings and contaminated surfaces, so use tightly fitting lids and avoid leaving food scraps in open bins overnight, clean up spilled food and don’t leave empty takeaway containers accessible.

Miroslav Radov comments: “Rats seek areas where they can find food, and they will eat almost anything. Therefore, ensuring that you have eliminated any food or water sources that they could feed off is crucial. 

“Food and water sources are one of the primary reasons rats enter homes, and by eliminating this motivation, the rats are much less likely to enter and more importantly, less likely to stick around.”

  1. Inspect your home for entry points

Rats can squeeze through very small holes, sometimes as small as 20mm in diameter, roughly the size of a 10p coin. This makes inspecting your home for entry points during seasons of increased rat activity such as late summer-autumn crucial. By identifying these small potential entry points, you can highly decrease the risk of rats entering your property, eliminating the risk of health hazards. 

Focus on gaps in low level foundations and pipes. Cracks in any walls or doors can also be entry points for rats, so be sure to check for any damage and if found, take the needed steps to seal these potential points of entry. Be sure to also examine vents for gaps, as well as looking for gaps under any decking or sheds. 

Radov suggests: “Whilst inspecting for entry points, check for signs of rat activity. This could be droppings, scratching or scurrying noises, or nests and nesting materials. If you are unsure or unable to adequately check your property for entry points, pest control professionals are able to identify all the smallest entry points, and if you find signs of rat activity, they can also help to eliminate any rat problem or infestation.” 

  1. Limit the potential for habitats

Limiting the potential for rat habitats can help keep them away from your property, and instead, seek somewhere else where they have what they need to survive. To do this, eliminate food sources and seal entry points and previously mentioned.

Additionally, be sure to regularly clean food spills and empty garbage often.

Another key consideration in potential rat habitats is to minimise clutter in your home and garden. Clutter can serve as a great hiding or nesting place for rats, making it more likely for them to make themselves at home on your property. 

Radov advises: “It is also important to check for any moisture issues and sources. For instance, any leaky pipes or faucets can be appealing for rats who seek a readily available water source, and damp conditions, which can attract other pests that act as a food source for rats.”

  1. Consider natural repellents

There are various natural deterrents you can use to deter rats and decrease the chances of them entering and nesting in your home. Apply these in areas where rats are likely to be or to enter, such as near entry points, in cupboards, or around bird feeders in gardens.

  • Peppermint Oil
    • Peppermint’s strong and pungent scent is known to irritate rats due to their strong sense of smell. However, don’t rely on this as a long-term solution alone, and be sure to follow other key steps such as eliminating food sources, as they could become accustomed to the smell and still be motivated to enter if food is available.
  • Essential Oils
    • Essential oils such as eucalyptus create an environment that’s unbearable for rats, due to its potent smell, encouraging them to leave. However, this again comes with a warning, as it may not be enough of a solution if it isn’t used in conjunction with other methods of deterrence. 
  • Cayenne Pepper
    • Rats dislike this due to its strong and spicy scent and taste, which can deter them from entering the space in which this pepper is present. However, there is always the present risk that rats may learn to tolerate this smell, if there is an active food source available nearby. Therefore, always combine this with other methods such as those detailed above.
  1. Keep your home clean and utilise ventilation 

One of the most important and simple steps you can take to prevent rats is to maintain good levels of hygiene, cleanliness and ventilation in your home. By nature, rats are attracted to unsanitary environments as well as a lack of airflow.

This makes a clean and well-ventilated space less appealing and more difficult to survive in, as a clean home with limited clutter means their food sources are eliminated. 

Radov states: “Ensure that you regularly vacuum and mop, taking extra care in spaces such as kitchens which can harbour crumbs and food waste which attracts rats. Dispose of waste appropriately and securely, and if needed, invest in a rodent proof bin with a very tight fitting lid.

Keep attics and spaces within the home well ventilated, to discourage rats from crawling and nesting in these spaces. Also be sure to be attentive to your garden and trim overgrown bushes and plants, as rats can hide within these.”

This Saturday: Wildflower Planting in East Pilton Park

Wildflower Planting in East Pilton Park this Saturday 10.30-1 (11th October) with Granton Community Gardeners. Free, family friendly activity.

Join us to add wildflower seeds and spring bulbs to the long grass patches of East Pilton Park (around the new tree plantings).

As well as looking beautiful, we hope to improve the area for pollinators and also increase the number of invertebrates (insects and other wee bugs) for our local birds to eat.

We are particularly hoping to help increase the food supply for our nearby swift colony and this project goes hand in hand with plans we have to give the swifts more good local nesting sites by adding swift boxes to buildings.

Amazingly, the council’s ecologists have found that long grass areas can have as much as 90 times more life than short grass. Let’s add flowers to make them even better!

Please get in touch if you’re planning to come so we can bring a sensible number of tools: email katie@grantoncommunitygardeners.org

(Also dress for the weather, and bear in mind that the closest public toilets are in Ainsley Park Leisure Centre).

You can also check out more about our ‘Nature in Granton’ project via new page on our website:

https://www.grantoncommunitygardeners.org/nature-in-granton