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.”
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:
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.
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.”
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?
City
Total PCN
Total £
Avg Monthly PCNs
Avg 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
£125,401,560
37,322
£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.”
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 a69% uptick in searches.
Experts atRainbow 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
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
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.”
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!
Rainforest projects are to benefit from more than £3 million funding to protect biodiversity and build ecosystem resilience to climate change.
The funding will be used to help save Scotland’s temperate rainforest – made up of native woodlands found on the west coast, where consistent levels of rainfall and relatively mild, year-round temperatures provide the right conditions for some of the world’s rarest mosses, liverworts and lichens – from the effects of the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.
This year 1,350 hectares of priority rainforest habitat will benefit from funding to:
remove rhododendron, a non-native invasive species that robs plants of nutrients, moisture and light, to give other plants space to grow
restore plantations on ancient woodland sites
prevent damage to young trees and ground vegetation through deer management
Announcing the funding during Scotland’s Climate Week, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “Scotland is home to its own temperate rainforest boasting a variety of rare species and habitats, and we are already delivering work to protect and expand this precious environment. We have some of the best remaining rainforest sites in Europe.
“Forestry Land Scotland are already carrying out immense work within the rainforest zone and have restored more than 2,654 hectares since 2023, and this additional funding of more than £3 million will help us to go further faster.
“Rainforests can capture up to one million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year so protecting them is essential to help us reach net zero emissions by 2045 and, crucially, tackle biodiversity loss.”
More or less trees, foxes or gulls? Get that grass cut or let the wildflowers grow? Is nature helping with your mental health, or helping kids let off steam? Are there ways we could help nature thrive more, or should we tarmac the lot?!
Would you be up for chatting about nature in Granton for an hour for a £10 voucher (for Morrisons or Granton Garden Bakery – your choice)?
We’ll be running focus groups: Tuesday 7th October: 10-11am or 11.30am-12.30, at Pilton Community Health Project, 73 Boswall Parkway. (tea/coffee and biscuits provided).
SCOTLAND’S CLIMATE WEEK 28th SEPTEMBER – 5TH OCTOBER 2025
Workers and communities across the North East of Scotland will benefit from £8.5 million in new funding to support the shift to clean energy careers.
Four projects are receiving funding this year through the Just Transition Fund focus on offshore wind infrastructure and supply chain development, demonstrating the Scottish Government’s commitment to economic development and supporting communities through the energy transition.
The successful projects include:
Cable Handling Facility, Maritime Developments Ltd – £2.9 million
Orah Assembly and Deployment, Verlume Ltd – £2.5 million
Enabling Renewable Energy Infrastructure, Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners – £2.4 million
Large Scale Synthetic Mooring Line Test Rig, ORE Catapult – £500,000
The investment targets areas that have provided energy security through oil and gas for generations, ensuring these communities remain at the centre of Scotland’s energy future as the country accelerates towards net zero.
The funding marks the beginning of Scotland’s Climate Week, with First Minister John Swinney officially opening Scotland’s largest energy transition skills hub at North East Scotland College in Aberdeen – a new centre of excellence which will train young people for highly skilled roles in the growing renewables sector.
The Hub received £4.5 million from the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund and represents a collaboration between the Energy Transition Zone (ETZ), North East Scotland College, Shell UK, and the Scottish Government.
First Minister John Swinney said: “This new round of funding responds to the immediate priorities of energy businesses in the North East. It focuses on projects that have a clear goal of supporting jobs and maximising economic opportunities in the region.
“The North East has long been a titan of the oil and gas industries and we must move forward together towards a cleaner, more sustainable world. Just Transition funding aims to ensure no one is left behind and that communities continue to play a vital role in the country’s clean energy future.
“I’m also looking forward to opening the ETZ’s Energy Transition Skills Hub, at the start of this year’s Climate Week. Supported by £4.5 million of Scottish Government funding, this centre of excellence will prepare local young people for the highly skilled jobs and opportunities of the future in the renewable energy industry.”
