Tag: environment

Faith leaders make joint climate declaration ahead of COP26

Faith leaders unite in commitment to address the challenge of the climate crisis

Fifty-two UK faith leaders have signed a joint declaration ahead of the COP26 UN climate summit in Glasgow this November. It expresses the commitment of faith communities to address the climate crisis and their desire to see governments be equally committed.

The declaration builds on the Lambeth Declaration which preceded the Paris COP in 2015, and the Scottish Religious Leaders Forum Statement of Commitment for COP26 that was launched at the Ambition Summit in December 2020.

The leaders commit to reflect through prayer, meditation and worship; make transformational change in their communities; and be advocates for justice by calling on those in power to implement green policies.

They say: “Across our doctrinal and political differences, we know that we must change our ways to ensure a quality of life which all can share, and we need to provide hope for people of all ages, everywhere, including future generations.

“To offer hope in the world we need to have confidence that those in power understand the vital role they have to play at the Glasgow COP26.

“Our collective energy and prayers will be with those working for a successful outcome”.

Glasgow Multifaith Declaration for COP26:

Our faith communities are united in caring for human life and the natural world. We share a belief in a hopeful future, as well as an obligation to be responsible in caring for our common home, the Earth.

We recognise the opportunities that COP26 brings in addressing the urgent need for action in limiting the effects of climate change and the critical importance of decisions made in this conference to take forward the agreement made in Paris in 2015.

People have exploited the planet, causing climate change. We recognise that the burden of loss and damage falls most heavily on people living in poverty, especially women and children.

We acknowledge the commitments made through the Lambeth Declaration in 2015. Now, because of the gravity of our situation, the impact of climate change around the world, and the inequality of its effects we seek to strengthen those commitments.

We commit to respond to this challenge by:

  • Reflecting deeply in prayer, meditation and worship to discern how to care for the earth and each other, and to encourage our respective communities to do the same.
  • Making transformational change in our own lives and in the lives of our communities through individual and collective action.
  • Being advocates for justice by calling on governments, businesses and others who exercise power and influence to put into effect the Paris agreement; to make the transition to a just and green economy a priority; and to commit to science-based targets that are aligned with a healthy, resilient, zero-emissions future.

We remind governments of their commitments made in Paris in 2015 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, and of Article 17 of the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights to protect the environment, the biosphere and biodiversity. We call upon them to take the urgent action needed to avert the loss, damage, and forced migration threatened by climate change.

We look to governments to work together and with others to create a positive vision for 2050 where addressing climate change is not just an opportunity to stop burning fossil fuels, but also: to achieve cleaner air and water; to reduce food wastage; to ensure a just and equitable sharing of the earth’s resources; and to protect the habitats we share with all other life on whose health we also depend.

Across our doctrinal and political differences, we know that we must change our ways to ensure a quality of life which all can share, and we need to provide hope for people of all ages, everywhere, including future generations. To offer hope in the world we need to have confidence that those in power understand the vital role they have to play at the Glasgow COP26.

Our collective energy and prayers will be with those working for a successful outcome.

Signed by:

UK Senior Faith Leaders

Archbishop Angaelos, Archbishop of London, The Coptic Orthodox Church

The Rt Revd John Arnold, Bishop of Salford, and lead Bishop for the Environment, Catholic Church in England and Wales

Imam Qari Muhammad Asim, Chair, Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board

Malcolm M Deboo, President, Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (Inc)

Revd Clare Downing and Mr Peter Pay, Moderators of General Assembly, United Reformed Church

Rabbi Joseph Dweck, Senior Rabbi, S&P Sephardi Community, UK

Revd Lynn Green, General Secretary, The Baptist Union of Great Britain

Rev Sonia Hicks, President of the Methodist Church and Barbara Easton, Vice-President of the Methodist Church

Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, Former Senior Rabbi to Reform Judaism

Rt Rev Andy John, Bishop of Bangor and Senior Bishop in the Church in Wales

Rabbi David Mason, representing Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis

Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra (Imam), Christian – Muslim Forum

Mr. Patrick O’Mara, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United Kingdom

Mrs Trupti Patel, President of the Hindu Forum of Britain

Juliet Prager, Deputy Recording Clerk, Quakers in Britain

Imam Sayed Razawi, Chief Imam, Director General of the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society

Rabbi Danny Rich, former Senior Rabbi and Chief Executive of Liberal Judaism in the United Kingdom

The Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala, Head Priest of the London Buddhist Vihara

Dr Natubhai Shah, Senior leader, Jain Community UK

The Rt. Hon Lord Indarjit Singh of Wimbledon, Director Network of Sikh Organisations (UK)

Jasvir Singh OBE, Chair of City Sikhs

Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia OBE KSG, Chairman, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha

Rt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich and lead Bishop on the Environment, Church of England

Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, Senior Rabbi of Masorti Judaism UK

Scottish Religious Leaders & Representatives

The Rt Hon Lord Jim Wallace of Tankerness,

Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

Elizabeth Allen, Clerk, General Meeting for Scotland, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

Imam Sohail Ashfaque, Blackhall Mosque

Lt-Col Carol Bailey, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army

Revd David Coleman, Minister of the United Reformed Church and Chaplain to Eco-Congregation Scotland

Allan Forsyth and Isadora Quay, on behalf of the Baha’i Community of Scotland

Rev Bonnie Evans Hills, convener Scottish Episcopal Church Interfaith Relations Committee

Madhu Jain, Hindu Mandir Scotland

Revd Dr Martin Johnstone, Glasgow Churches Together COP26 Ambassador

Ani Lhamo, Kagyu Samye Ling Buddhist Centre

Bishop Brian McGee, Bishop of Argyll and the Isles, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Interreligious dialogue

Rev Dr David Miller, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland

Acharya Ji Mishra, Priest of Hindu Mandir Scotland

Ravinder Kaur Nijjar, Advisor Sikhs in Scotland

Imam Hassan Rabbani, Imam of Zia-Ul-Quran Mosque, Chair of Scottish Muslim Forum

Lama Yeshe Choje Losal Rinpoche

Abbot of Kagyu Samye Ling Buddhist Centre

Rabbi David Rose, Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation

Rabbi Moshe Rubin, Giffnock and Newlands Hebrew Congregation, Senior Rabbi of Scotland

Shaykh Sohaib Saeed, Al-Furqan Mosque

The Revd Mark Slaney

Chair Methodist Church Scotland

Sr. Isabel Smyth

Sisters of Notre Dame & Secretary to the Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Inter-religious Dialogue

Most Rev Mark Strange

Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church

Linsay Taylor, Muslim Council of Scotland and Chair of Interfaith Scotland

Dr Srihari Vallabhajousula, Honorary Priest, Hindu Temple of Scotland, Rutherglen, Glasgow

Ameed Versace, Climate Officer, Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society

Revd Paul Whittle, Moderator of The United Reformed Church National Synod of Scotland

Rev. George Whyte, Principal Clerk to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

EACC: Sharing Ideas About Biodiversity video conference

The next Edinburgh Association of Community Councils (EACC) video conference will be on Thursday 23 September at 7pm on Zoom. 

It will be a special meeting devoted to: 

Sharing ideas about biodiversity: Copenhagen, Oslo and Edinburgh

Speakers:

Dr Max Coleman, of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Chair of the Edinburgh Biodiversity Partnership, on Why cities are important for nature

Lea Brinkkjær Estø, City of Copenhagen, on Nature in Copenhagen: improving biodiversity to benefit society

Outline: The Copenhagen municipality system, Physical improvement through biodiversity, Approach to nature/biodiversity through education, Using biodiversity and nature to support positive developments in areas of deprivation and unemployment.

Caroline Peacock, Biodiversity Officer, City of Edinburgh Council on Biodiversity in Edinburgh

Outline: A natural capital; citizens and partners working for biodiversity; naturalising City parks; creating natural networks for a climate ready city.

Dr Terje Laskemoen, Head of Department Nature and Pollution, Agency for Urban Environment, City of Oslo, on Biological diversity in the city of Oslo – measures and management

Outline: The city of Oslo, with its geographical location, houses the largest biological diversity in Norway. Many of the most important biological qualities are found in the built-up zone and on the islands just outside the city centre. In the presentation, some of the most important measures to safeguard biodiversity in Oslo will be shown.

The Eventbrite page for 23 September is now open for ticket registration:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sharing-ideas-about-biodiversity-copenhagen-oslo-and-edinburgh-tickets-173688656447

This meeting is open to the public, but priority will be given to questions from community councillors. The meeting will be recorded and may be published later. Please note that by joining the meeting you are giving your consent for the meeting to be recorded.

Simon Holledge

EACC Secretary

City council creates new online recycling tool to help you dispose of your waste correctly

We all know that recycling is one small step everyone can take to help the environment and lower our carbon footprint.

As part of this year’s recycling week (September 20-26) we’d like to help you reduce contamination in your bins which can spoil the rest of the contents and stop them from being recycled. We’ll also be promoting top tips for what to put in which bin and more on which plastics you can recycle.

We’ve created an easy-to -use online recycling sorter. You type in an item and it tells you if it can be recycled, which bin to put it in or where to take it – there’s also plenty of tips too.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Environment Convener, said: “It’s really important we all get in the habit of disposing of our waste correctly and reusing and recycling where we can. This will all help towards our target for Edinburgh to become a net zero carbon city by 2030.

“To help you sort out your waste and stop even small bits of food and grease in the green recycling bin contaminating other items, like paper and cardboard spoiling the whole bin we’re providing top tips across various platforms,  including our website. Our brand new recycling sorter will also be a really useful guide too.”

Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said: “We’re trying to make recycling as easy as possible for our residents. 

“I know it can be confusing, with so many different kinds of plastics being used in packaging so we’re providing guidance on that and how to dispose of electrical items safely as well! Please check this out to help us recycle more.”

How to make the most of your recycling

Check it

Make sure it’s on the ‘yes please list’.

Empty it

Make sure any bottles or containers are empty. Remember, you can leave plastic drink bottle lids on, but please remove any pump sprays.

Rinse it

Rinse any food and drinks packaging with water before putting it in the bin – you can even use dish water to do this.

Remove it

Peel film lids and coverings off plastic bottles, tubs, pots and trays. Plastic film, wrapping and cellophane can’t be recycled. You don’t need to remove labels though.

Separate it

Don’t store containers and packaging inside each other – it’s difficult to separate them at the recycling plant.

How to recycle your plastics

What to recycle

Whether you use a wheelie bin or a communal bin you can easily recycle plastics in your green lidded bin. Just pop in your empty plastic:

  • bottles (juice, shampoo, household cleaning, toiletry bottles etc)
  • pots (yoghurt etc)
  • tubs (ice cream, butter etc)
  • trays (fruit punnets, ready meal trays etc)

We don’t collect any other type of plastic, so don’t put bags, wrappers, cellophane, toys or any other type of plastic in your green lidded bin.

Before you pop them in the bin remember to rinse the bottles and wash any food off pots, tubs and trays – you don’t need to remove labels, but some bottles come wrapped in a sleeve made from a different plastic. Tear these off and put them in your non-recyclable waste bin.

We accept bottles with or without the tops, but remove pump sprays before putting them in the bin as we can’t recycle them.

What happens to plastic recycling?

Our contractor recycles these in their own recycling plants in England. Anything they can’t recycle is turned into fuel.

Avoiding plastics means less waste

Everything you buy or use has an impact on the environment. Recycling helps to reduce this by reducing how many raw products we use but avoiding producing waste in the first place means even less impact.

Edinburgh has some great refill shops where you can bring your own tubs and bottles and refill them with dried foods, household cleaners and toiletries. Some supermarkets are also starting to develop refill stations in-store.

Plastic bags and wrappers

You can recycle plastic bags at larger supermarkets. They’re starting to collect a wider range of plastic wrappers.

Find out about recycling plastic bags and wrappers.

Large plastic items

We can’t collect and recycle large plastic items at our recycling centres at the moment. This includes items like garden furniture and toys. We’re looking for a reliable recycling company who will take items and we’ll start to collect them again as soon as we can.

You can still take them to one of our recycling centres to dispose of them, but we won’t be able to recycle them.

Other household plastics

Some types of plastics are much harder to collect, either due to their size or because they are made of a mix of materials and need specialist treatment.

Some shops have now started to provide collection points for things like lipstick packaging, pumps sprays and cosmetic packaging in store.

These include

  1. Boots
  2. The Body Shop
  3. Lush.

Not all stores will offer the service, so check their websites to find out what they take and which stores provide this.

How to recycle electrical items:

  • Kerbside bins – to recycle small electricals in Edinburgh you put them in your blue recycling box (which also collects your glass bottles and jars) if you have one. You can put in batteries (in clear plastic bags) and small electrical items like a hairdryer).
  • You can also use this website to find out where to https://www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/
  • For reusable items try to use an organisation such as the Changeworks reuse tool to find charities where you can donate them.
  • Take larger items to your nearest recycling centre and remember to book an appointment.
  • Various shops will also collect and recycle small electrical items.

You can also search the city council’s new online recycling sorter to find out what to do with your unwanted electricals.

Stagecoach marks Scottish Climate Week with bus fleet net zero plan

  • Investment to deliver estimated cut of 67,000 tonnes in annual carbon emissions by 2035
  • Cut is equivalent to reducing the carbon footprint of more than 5,000 Scots to zero
    New electric bus fleets to be rolled out in Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Perth later this year
  • Further 40 tonnes of CO2e a year expected to be saved through more energy efficient buildings
  • Stagecoach sustainability strategy aiming to deliver a greener, healthier and fairer Scotland
  • Government must show “strong and brave leadership” on transport to incentivise right choices.

Stagecoach, the UK’s biggest bus and coach operator, is marking Scottish Climate Week with a plan to cut tens of thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions a year from its business as it targets a zero emissions bus fleet by 2035.

Investment in clean technologies, including new electric buses, are expected to deliver an estimated annual reduction of around 67,000 tonnes of CO2e from its fleet of more than 1,200 buses in Scotland in less than 15 years.

According to Zero Waste Scotland, the average annual carbon footprint per person in Scotland is 13 tonnes of CO2e. This means Stagecoach’s plans are the equivalent of reducing the environmental impact of more than 5,000 Scots to zero.

Stagecoach services are already helping households across the UK reduce their carbon footprint by offering more sustainable travel. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Centre for Economics and Business Research found that without Stagecoach bus services, there would be an annual increase of around 190,000 tonnes of CO2e through people using alternative transport, mainly cars.

The latest Stagecoach targets and commitments are part of the company’s new sustainability strategy Driving Net Zero: Better Places to Live and Work, published in advance of the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow in November. Stagecoach is aiming to decarbonise its business by around 70% by 2035 as well as targeting a zero emissions bus fleet across the UK by that date.

The roadmap to becoming a carbon neutral business will see investment in new zero-emissions fleets and other green technologies over the next 15 years to reduce the impact of the company’s operations on the planet, as well as initiatives to cut waste, boost recycling and conserve water.

A £21.4m fleet of 46 new fully electric buses is being introduced by Stagecoach in Aberdeen, Perth and Kilmarnock this year as part of the Scottish Government’s Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus scheme. It follows the UK’s first fleet of six fully electric buses serving rural communities which went into service earlier this summer under a partnership between Stagecoach and SP Energy Networks, connecting villages along the Irvine Valley with Kilmarnock town centre.

Stagecoach has already been converting its existing vehicles to make them greener in advance of the transition to electric and other zero emissions technologies.

The clean air retrofit programme has seen over a third of buses in Scotland retrofitted with either Euro VI or new exhaust systems, both of which mean they have 95% less emissions that standard buses. Stagecoach is also working with the manufacturing sector on how to use clean technologies that are applicable to coaches, which operate on longer routes not currently suited to electric vehicles.

Separately, five Scottish Citylink coaches in east Scotland have been fitted with new solar panels which provide clean solar energy to power all on-board electrical equipment. This reduces the requirement to create electric energy via the burning of diesel, a move that is estimated to save up to 7,500 litres of fuel and over 20 tonnes of CO2.

Investment is also being made in Stagecoach buildings and depots across Scotland, with 11 depots around the country fitted with hi-tech energy management systems to control heating and help reduce gas and heating oil consumption.

Under the latest plans, by 2027 Stagecoach energy management systems will meet the international standard ISO 50001 and it will also be procuring all electricity from 100% renewable sources from April 2022. As a result, annual carbon emissions from Stagecoach buildings in Scotland are expected to reduce by 40 tCO2e a year from 2027.

Sam Greer, Regional Director for Stagecoach in Scotland, said: “There has never been a more important time to take action to address the climate emergency and play a part in helping Scotland deliver on its net zero ambitions.

“Our plans start with improving the sustainability of our own business. But we can also leverage the power of public transport focus on our plans to create a greener, smarter, safer, healthier and fairer Scotland.

“Making net zero a reality – and quickly – is about more than just switching technologies. We also need to change how we travel, moving people away from cars to walking, cycling and wheeling, and public transport.

“This needs strong and brave leadership from national and regional governments to create incentives to reward the right choices. We also need to make sure the country’s transport infrastructure is prioritised for people, such as bus passengers, whose are contributing to a cleaner and healthier country.”

Soil Association: Pledge for our Planet this Organic September

With daily news about the impact of global warming and in the run up to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow many people are increasingly frightened for the future, frustrated with politicians and concerned about what they can do to help the planet.

That is why the Soil Association has launched ‘Pledge for our Planet’ to help people understand what they can do to help build a world with good health, in balance with nature and a safe climate.

From supporting local organic farmers and independent shops, to growing your own nature-friendly veg and minimising your waste, there are so many ways that everyone can play their part. 

This week we have heard about the level of anxiety young people have about the climate crisis and the future of the planet. The survey across 10 countries led by The University of Bath found that 60% of young people felt very or extremely worried about climate change and two-thirds felt sad, afraid or anxious. Many feel betrayed, ignored and abandoned by politicians.

In the Soil Association’s own research citizens have said how that they feel powerless and want to know what they can do to make a difference. They want the tools and knowledge to make changes in their lives which will have a positive impact on the planet.

Soil Association Citizen Communications Manager Claire Lampon said: “While many feel powerless in the face of the climate and nature crisis there are many positive things we can all do.

“The Soil Association is working hard together with other organistions to lobby our own, and international governments, to take urgent action to address climate change and to help restore nature.

“In particular we are highlighting the impact our food and farming system has on the planet and how by addressing our diets,working with nature and transitioning to more nature-friendly agroecological farming practices we can improve our soils and act on carbon.

“But at the same time we want to encourage citizens to make small changes in their lives that add up to make a big difference. So while we would like everyone to consider how they can influence politicians, for example writing to their MP, we want everyone to consider the pledges they can make which will have a positive impact on nature and the planet too.”

There are 22 pledges on the pledge hub covering food and diet, gardening, zero waste, community and fashion and beauty.

This is just the start and will help people to realise that by making small changes in their lives, they can feel more positive about the future and start to do their bit for the planet and nature.

  • Food and Diet – The way we farm and eat has a huge impact on the climate, nature and our health. The good news is we can all play a part in making sure that the food we choose and the way it’s produced has a positive impact on the planet. From opting for organic – a way of farming that works with nature – to shopping locally and growing some of your own food, each small action adds up and helps build the movement towards a safer future.
  • Gardening – Around 87% of UK households have a garden. That’s over 10 million acres, which is larger than all of Britain’s nature reserves combined. Together, we have the opportunity to help restore nature, keep our soils healthy and protect the environment through our own patch of land, whether you have acres of space or a window box – we can all make a difference.
  • Fashion and Beauty – Have you ever thought about how your clothes are made? Or what ingredients are found in your health and wellbeing products? With fashion regarded as the world’s second most polluting industry, and the organic beauty and wellbeing industry largely unregulated, there’s never been a more important time to support certified organic, sustainable alternatives you can trust.
  • Zero Waste – Minimising our waste is a great way to live more sustainably and help protect the planet. In the UK alone, over five million tonnes of plastic is used each year and only a quarter of this is recycled. It’s clear that our individual actions really do add up. From being mindful of unsustainable packaging to using a reusable coffee cup, we can all play our part.
  • Community – There’s real power in collective action. By engaging with our local communities, we can build the movement towards a safer future from the ground up. From getting involved in a community growing or cooking event, to setting up your own fundraiser or encouraging your child’s school to serve healthy meals, there are lots of ways to make a difference together.

And share your pledges with friends and on social media

Claire continued: “So while you may not be a world politician attending the Glasgow climate summit in November, you can feel empowered knowing that you are making a difference. You can also have an influence by sharing your pledges on your social media and encouraging friends and others to make changes too.”

Use #PledgeforourPlanet @SoilAssociation and the URL soilassociation.org/pledge

Find out more about the pledges and the changes you can make which have a postive impact on the planet by visiting the pledge hub.

Mindful Chef partners with Ben Fogle for third annual Coast Clean

  • Sign ups now open for the Mindful Chef Coast Clean 2021 (17th-19th September)
  • 2021 event has been expanded to include beaches, parks, rivers and woodlands anywhere in the UK
  • The Marine Conservation Society reports that 70% of inland litter picks found PPE in 2020, with face masks/gloves found on 30% of the beaches cleaned by MCS volunteers
  • Mindful Chef, a B Corp company, is looking to double the impact of 2020’s Coast Clean, collectively removing 75,000 litres of plastic from UK coastlines, rivers and parks

Mindful Chef, the UK’s favourite healthy recipe box service, is pleased to announce that it has partnered with UN Patron of the Wilderness Ben Fogle for its third annual Coast Clean, taking place 17th-19th September 2021. 

Sign-ups are now open via the Mindful Chef website.

Mindful Chef is calling on the British public to take part in this nationwide outdoor clean up, to reach its 2021 target of 75,000 litres of plastic being cleared up across the weekend, the equivalent of approximately 150,000 plastic bottles, making it one of the UK’s largest clean up operations. 

Participants are encouraged to sign up as a ‘local hero’ via the Mindful Chef website – each participant will receive a volunteer pack in the post ahead of the event, with everything needed to get involved. From families or groups of friends to corporate teams, the event promises a rewarding day out and the opportunity to do something good for the environment.

Now in its third year, Mindful Chef is partnering with The Marine Conservation Society as part of the Great British Beach clean, and has ambitions to make this years’ event the biggest one yet, expanding the operation to include beaches, parks, rivers and woodlands.

Raising awareness of safe plastic disposal is more important than ever: littering of single-use plastic during Covid-19 has skyrocketed, with 70% of inland litter picks finding PPE in 2020 and face masks/gloves found on 30% of the beaches cleaned by MCS volunteers. 

Large-scale clean up operations serve as an opportunity to collect invaluable data on which waste items frequently wash up on our shores. This data can support campaigns for legislation to be put in place to tackle the most harmful waste issues. Recent findings include a 55% drop in plastic bags found on UK beaches since the 5p charge was introduced. 

Ben Fogle said: “Lots of people rediscovered the joy of the great outdoors during the lockdowns. This is an opportunity to give back to all of those places – beaches, woodlands, rivers, fields or even your local park.

“It’s our responsibility to look after our planet, which is why I’m supporting Mindful Chef in this mass clean up effort. I’ll be litter picking around my local area and joining the Mindful Chef team in Battersea for their own clean up today (15th September). I urge anyone who is able to, to sign up on the Mindful Chef website!”

Myles Hopper, Co-Founder and Chief Community Officer at Mindful Chef: “As a proud B Corp, we are always looking for ways to use the power of our business as a force for good, taking care of our planet for now and the future.

“The annual Mindful Chef Coast Clean is just one of the ways we’re striving to meet our environmental goals and we are thrilled to be taking it a step further this year by expanding the initiative to clean up parks, rivers and woodlands.”

Our own local Wardie Bay Beach Clean will be taking place on Sunday 26th September from 10.30am:

Let’s Talk Waste: Saving the Planet in just six minutes!

Share sustainability hacks at The Leith Collective’s ‘Let’s Talk Waste’ event 

The climate is in crisis and every second counts. But what if all it took was just 6 minutes of your time to help turn things around? Local Edinburgh businesses, artists, and makers are being invited to give just a few minutes of their time to share their top tips at a special ‘Let’s Talk Waste’ event in the capital later this month.

Brought to you by The Leith Collective – crafters, makers, artists and business owners will come together on Thursday 23rd September to discuss ways in which they are reducing their waste and making a difference.

Taking place at Ocean Terminal, the evening will feature a diverse range of speakers; from a maker who creates unique works of art from items otherwise destined for landfill, to a sustainable refill shop, Weigh To Go, and local plant shop, Seb’s Urban Jungle.

The timing of the event is perfect, falling in the middle of Recycle Week, running 20th – 26th September, the aim of which is to galvanise the public into recycling more of the rights things, more often.

It also comes just a month ahead of the crucial COP26 summit which The Leith Collective’s founder, Sara Thomson, will be attending as one of 13 specially selected One Step Greener ambassadors. Her role there will be to share how she is doing her bit to tackle climate change and inspire others to follow suit. 

Commenting ahead of ‘Let’s Talk Waste’, Sara Thomson explained: “The event is part of The Leith Collective’s ongoing sustainability campaign which aims to encourage people to reuse, recycle and relove everyday items, and we wanted to open up the platform to as many local businesses and artists as possible to help spread the message of sustainability far and wide. 

“Knowledge is power, and by sharing inspirational stories and exchanging top tips in this accessible, easy-to-digest 6-minute format, everyone can learn something new, and together we can make a massive difference.”

EVENT INFORMATION

‘Let’s Talk Waste’ will take place at the ex GAP store on the Ground Floor level of Ocean Terminal on Thursday 23rd September, 6pm – 8:30pm. The event is free to attend and refreshments will be provided.

Silent disco dancers help clean up Portobello Beach

A band of 18 enthusiastic dancing volunteers joined environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful at Portobello Beach on Sunday (12 September) to rid the beach of litter and kick off the charity’s ‘Source to Sea’ week. The litter-picking crew donned their headphones, tuned-in and removed rubbish from the seaside.

They removed lots of small plastics, including cigarette butts, as well as broken glass and bits of clothing left in the sand – a common issue on popular beaches. As well as removing litter from the beach, the purpose of the litter picking party was to raise awareness of how litter left on land can make its way into the sea to pollute our oceans.

The event was organised as part of the charity’s My Beach Your Beach and Treasure your River campaigns, in partnership with Keep Porty Tidy, who go out daily to blitz litter from the beach and prom. 

Treasure Your River, created by environmental charity HUBBUB and delivered by Keep Scotland Beautiful, has been targeting litter from source to sea along the River Forth this summer.

The event was also supported by Oscar’s Gelato on the Porty prom, with complimentary gelato and other refreshments offered to volunteers.

Now in its fourth year, the My Beach Your Beach campaign aims to support bathing water quality at a selection of beaches, including Portobello, Fisherrow Sands and Kinghorn Harbour beach on the east coast.

The campaign does this by promoting beach stewardship among locals and visitors and encouraging good habits that can affect bathing water quality, both at the beach and indoors.

This summer’s pre-season litter survey, carried out by Keep Porty Tidy for the My Beach Your Beach campaign, found over 110 items of litter along a sample 100m stretch of beach and prom. 

The majority of this litter was drinks and food related rubbish, highlighting the need for people to bin their ‘on the go’ food packaging or take it home.

Greta Elliott, from Keep Porty Tidy, said: “The silent disco litter pick was a lot of fun and a great way to get people involved in keeping our beautiful beach clean and litter free. 

“Hopefully it will help encourage others to do the right thing and make sure their rubbish ends up in the bin rather than polluting the beach.”

Georgina Massouraki, Campaigns Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Beach litter is a huge environmental issue, not only blighting our communities but also washing out to sea, where it breaks down into microplastics, harming wildlife and marine ecosystems. This silent disco litter pick was a fun way to draw attention to this issue and hopefully reach a wider range of people.

“Our My Beach Your Beach campaign is designed to help improve the quality of bathing waters by asking people to bin their litter, bag and bin their dog poo and not to feed the gulls.

“We have been delighted to work with Keep Porty Tidy on the campaign in Portobello and hope that beach users will take notice and be more thoughtful about the impact they can have on the sand and sea.”

Cllr Lesley Macinnes, Environment Convener at The City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We’re proud of Edinburgh’s beautiful beaches and so we’re very grateful to the litter pickers who worked so hard at the weekend to help us to keep Porty beach clean. I love that they had fun in the process of keeping fit and entertaining visitors as they danced along the beach.

“Our cleansing teams provided them with the equipment they needed to safely remove discarded litter and we’ve made sure the waste collected has been taken away. Our teams have been extremely busy throughout the pandemic working to keep Porty and the rest of Edinburgh clean and tidy and it’s great to see the Porty community taking pride in their area and helping them out.  

“I’d ask everyone visiting any of our beaches to respect our local communities and environment by using the bins provided or by taking your litter home with you.”

Read more about My Beach Your Beach: 

https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/community-and-place/my-beach-your-beach/

Read more about Treasure Your River: 

https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/treasure-your-river/

First Climate Change Champion named as ‘Tree Oscars’ return

Community Woodlands Award for Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust

Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards has named its first Climate Change Champion – just before global green summit COP26 comes to Scotland.

The annual ‘Tree Oscars’ to recognise Scotland’s finest forests and woodlands have named their first Climate Change Champion – just weeks before COP26 comes to Glasgow.

Balbeg Estate’s Bennan Hill, near Straiton, Ayrshire – owned by Andrew and Lynne Sinclair – won the new award, sponsored by CarbonStore, as Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards returned after a Covid-cancellation in 2020. 

Professor Chris Quine, Chief Scientist at Forest Research, who led the team assessing the Climate Change Champion entries, said: “The judges were very keen to find a worthy winner for the new award and we certainly did find one, in Balbeg Estate.

“Bennan Hill was a well-planned and well-executed case study, drawing on guidance and expert knowledge to address the climate emergency by establishing trees to sequester carbon and contribute to a decarbonised future.

“Even more noteworthy was the way the estate demonstrated an integrated approach to tackling climate change throughout its activities with actions relating to mitigation, adaptation and knowledge exchange.  The owners demonstrated a strong commitment and a real consistency of vision which made this site a very worthy champion.”

The other 2021 winners ranged from a small playgroup in Perth and a high school in Pitlochry – whose mascot Scotty the Squirrel collected their prize – to Scotland’s largest landowner, Anders Holch Povlsen, who won the New Native Woods Award for Killiehuntly Woodland in the Cairngorms.

Mr Povlsen said the success was based on “a big team effort” and added: “We very much appreciate this recognition and I’m very proud.”

Thomas MacDonell, Director of Conservation at Wildland Ltd, who led the project, said it was “absolutely fantastic” to win what he described as “the premier forestry awards”. He added: “This could not have happened without Anders Holch Povlsen, who had the vision and courage to stick by us.”

It was a year of firsts – the first Climate Change Champion prize, the first time the Awards were held online in almost 40 years – and the first award for early years woodland education.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the schools and early years prizes for Pitlochry High School and Perth Outdoor Playgroup. She said: “I’m delighted to be able to support these fantastic Awards again, and to see young people in Scotland, from nursery through to secondary school, engaging with trees and nature in such a positive way.  

“In the year that COP26 comes to Scotland, it’s important that our schools and early years settings continue to encourage young people to enjoy and value our woodlands. By learning about woodlands, taking part in activities, and sometimes also by planting new trees and protecting our woodlands, our young people are creating a greener, better future for Scotland. Congratulations to all the awards winners and everyone involved in celebrating the very best woodlands in Scotland.”

Angela Douglas, Executive Director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, said: “The high standard and number of entries in the Schools Award made it hard for judges to separate schools and early years settings.

“As a result the Outdoor & Woodland Learning Scotland team at Scottish Forestry agreed to provide an early years trophy – a beautiful carved wooden acorn reflecting the saying ‘From little acorns mighty oaks grow’ – and prize money.”

The number and quality of entries for the 2021 awards was very strong overall, Angela Douglas added. 

“The strength of the awards depends on maintaining very high standards and recognising entries that truly deserve the title ‘finest woods’,” she said. “After the Covid cancellation in 2020, I’m delighted we have been able to bounce back with such a high-quality programme – and I would especially like to thank our 23 volunteer judges who put in so much work in difficult circumstances to ensure the quality standard was maintained.”

The Climate Change Champion Award was selected from entrants to other categories who specified that they would also like to be considered for the prize. They had to show that their woodland had contributed to mitigating climate change, adapted to the changing climate or raised awareness about the issue.

“We had a strong winner and two strong highly commended entries in this new category, which is so important for any forest or woodland – and us all,” said Angela Douglas.

Balbeg Estate, winner of the Climate Change Champion Award, also won the Quality Timber Award and John Kennedy Trophy for Multi-purpose forestry for a whole forest or estate.

The two Climate Change Champion runners-up were Borders Forest Trust’s ecological restoration project at Corehead, near Moffat, Dumfriesshire (also Highly Commended behind Killiehuntly in the New Native Woods category) and Aylsa Leslie (with forestry consultant Simon Jacyna) for Auchintender, near Huntly, Aberdeenshire – also winner of the Quality Timber Award for silvicultural excellence in a single stand or compartment of trees, or small wood.

There was wide geographical coverage, with Laide and Aultbea Community Woodland in Ross-shire winning the Small Community Woodland Group Award. Judges were “impressed by the endeavour and enthusiasm” of the group and noted that the local community was heavily engaged in “supporting and managing the woodland with tangible benefits – recreation, practical hands-on experience and enjoyment”. 

Craigmillar Castle Park in Edinburgh, which won the Large Community Woodland Group prize, was praised by judges for its community engagement programme, run by Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust.

Judges also said: “It has been notable how valuable the woodland has been to the local community during lockdown, providing an attractive local greenspace which has helped greatly with physical and mental wellbeing.”

In the Farm Woodland Awards, the Young People’s Award went to James and Nikki Yoxall from Howemill, near Huntly in Aberdeenshire – “a wonderful example of a unique integration of trees and farming” – while the overall Farm Woodland Award went to Wendy Seel and Anne Taylor at North Tillydaff, Midmar, Aberdeenshire. Runners-up in the category were spread widely, from Skye to Stirling and Peterhead.

The New Commercial Woodland award (part of the Quality Timber Awards) went to the large Larriston Forest scheme near Newcastleton in the Scottish Borders.

Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards: roll of honour 2021

Climate Change Champion Award

Winner: Andrew & Lynne Sinclair, Balbeg Estate’s Bennan Hill, Straiton, Ayrshire;

Highly Commended: Borders Forest Trust, Corehead, near Moffat, Dumfriesshire;

Highly Commended: Aylsa Leslie, Auchintender, near Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

Farm Woodland Award

Winner: Wendy Seel & Anne Taylor, North Tillydaff, Midmar, Aberdeenshire;

Highly Commended: Elaine Booth & Peter Robertson, Ednie Farms, St Fergus, near Peterhead;

Commended: Walter & Margaret Dalgleish, Parks of Garden, Arnprior, near Stirling;

Commended: Phil Knott, Wildlife Croft Skye, Sleat, Isle of Skye.

Farm Woodland Award (Young People)

Winner: James & Nikki Yoxall, Howemill, Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

Community Woodlands Award

Large Community Woodland Group

Winner: Craigmillar Castle Park, Edinburgh (Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust); 

Commended: ​​Tiroran Community Forest, Isle of Mull, Argyll (South West Mull & Iona Development).

Small Community Woodland Group

Winner: Laide & Aultbea Community Woodland, Laide, Ross-shire 

Highly Commended: Camusnagaul & Achaphubuil, Near Ardgour, Highland (Treslaig & Achaphubuil Crofters Woodland Trust);

Commended: Hannahston Community Woodland, Drongan, East Ayrshire (Friends of Hannahston Woods & East Ayrshire Woodlands) and

Lochend Woods, Dunbar, East Lothian (Dunbar Community Woodland Group).

New Native Woods

Winner: Anders Holch Povlsen, Killiehuntly Woodland, Cairngorms;

Highly Commended: Eriboll Estate, Loch Hope Woodlands, Eriboll Estate, North West Sutherland;

Highly Commended: Forestry and Land Scotland (Central Region team), Balgownie Woods, West Fife;

Highly Commended: Borders Forest Trust, Corehead, near Moffat, Dumfriesshire

Commended: Torwoodlee & Buckholm Estates Co. Ltd., Halkburn Woodland, Torwoodlee Estate, Galashiels, Scottish Borders;

Commended: Hector MacLean, New Spott Wood, near Kirriemuir, Angus.

Quality Timber Awards

New Commercial Woods

Winner: Mrs J C Hands, Larriston Forest, Newcastleton, Scottish Borders; 

Highly Commended: James Jones & Sons Ltd., Tillyrie, Milnathort, Perth & Kinross;

Single stand of trees, compartment or small wood

Winner: Aylsa Leslie, Auchintender, near Huntly, Aberdeenshire;

Highly Commended: William Urquhart for Craigston Castle, Turriff, Aberdeenshire.

Whole Forest or Estate

Winner: Andrew & Lynne Sinclair, Balbeg Estate, Straiton, Ayrshire;

Schools Award

Winner: Pitlochry High School, Perthshire

Runner-up: Robert Douglas Memorial School, Scone, Perthshire

Early Years Award

Winner: Perth Outdoor Playgroup, Perth;

Runner-up: Middlefield Nursery, Aberdeen.

Have your say on city council’s Low Emission Zone proposals

More than 4000 people have told the city council what they think of proposals to introduce a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Edinburgh, with less than two weeks left to take part in the consultation.

CEC is seeking people’s views on proposals for an LEZ in Edinburgh’s city centre, which would require all motor vehicles, other than mopeds and motorcycles (and exempted vehicles), to meet minimum emissions standards to enter the zone freely. The council intends to introduce the LEZ by spring 2022, with a two-year grace period before enforcement begins, to help people adjust to the changes.

People have until 20 September to take part in the consultation asking about travel habits and for responses to the scheme, including the city centre boundary, the two-year grace period and exemptions. As of Thursday (9 September), 4025 people had already responded.

To help you have your say on the proposals, the council has put together some key facts about the LEZ (below).

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “It’s great that so many people have already taken the time to share their views on our proposals. This is a change that could affect anyone coming into the city centre, as well as all those that live here, so I would encourage as many people as possible to take part before the consultation closes.

“It’s really important that people are able to make informed responses to the consultation, which is why we’ve gathered together some key facts about the scheme, and we hope these will dispel some of the myths about how it would operate.

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “People have already told us how important clean air is to them, and our proposals aim to improve air quality while also supporting all those who live and work here to adjust to the changes.

“By reducing the most polluting vehicles in the city, alongside other projects to reduce congestion and facilitate travel by foot, bike or wheel, we could create a safer, cleaner and healthier city.”

Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Scotland said: “Low Emission Zones are a vital step towards improving Scotland’s air quality and people’s lung health.

“Air pollution causes as many as 2000 premature deaths in Scotland every year so it is crucial that we take steps to reduce the levels we are exposed to, especially in our busy cities.

“We encourage everyone to take a moment and have their say to help ensure the Edinburgh LEZ plan is robust and will help to create a world where everyone can breathe clean air with healthy lungs.”

Feedback to the consultation will help inform a finalised LEZ plan, to be brought back to the Transport and Environment Committee in the autumn, before the statutory process for introducing the scheme begins.

In 2019 we carried out a consultation on initial proposals for LEZs in Edinburgh, with responses showing that cleaner air is important to everyone.

LEZ: Key facts

Why are we introducing an LEZ?

  • We want to reduce air pollution, for which road traffic is the main source. By limiting the most polluting vehicles in the LEZ we want to create cleaner air and improve people’s health in this densely populated part of the city.
  • Introducing the LEZ will significantly improve air quality, reducing traffic related (NO2 – nitrogen dioxide) emissions in the city centre by 55% – equivalent to 25-30 tonnes per year, when compared to 2019 levels.

Will this negatively impact those who need to drive in the city?

  • We want to make sure that those who need to drive into the city still can, so blue badge holders and emergency vehicles will be amongst those exempt from the restrictions.
  • Only the most polluting vehicles will be affected – we expect the majority of drivers not to be affected by the changes.
  • By the time enforcement begins in 2024 only diesel cars less than nine years old and petrol cars less than 18 years old will be able to drive in the zone.

Why are we proposing a boundary that only covers the city centre and not the whole city?

  • An evidence-led approach was taken when appraising options for an LEZ, adhering to the National Low Emission Framework and based on detailed traffic and air quality modelling and data. Each option was assessed against a series of principles and objectives including the reduction of harmful NO2 and greenhouse gas emissions and minimising the displacement of traffic as a result of the LEZ.
  • This work suggested a citywide boundary would have a limited impact, with commercial fleet already improving in emissions standards. In 2020, Edinburgh traffic surveys showed Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) were already 76-95% compliant, while Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs), or vans, had increased in compliance to 48% from 7% in 2016.
  • Over 60% of bus and coach fleet here (excluding Lothian Buses) was compliant in February 2020 and Lothian Buses are already on the road to reaching full compliance with the LEZ requirements by the end of 2021.
  • It is anticipated that the effects of vehicles complying with a city centre boundary will filter out to the wider city, with all buses and taxis becoming compliant with LEZ rules covering the whole city. According to modelling by SEPA, for areas that are not in the LEZ, it is predicted that harmful Nitrogen Oxides emissions from traffic sources will decline by 15% when compared to 2019 levels.

Will an LEZ generate money for the Council but disproportionately affect low income households? 

  • LEZs improve public health and help to save money, supporting the NHS to reduce health inequalities. By allowing a two-year grace period we want to give people time to prepare for the changes before 2024.
  • There’s also funding available to help people prepare for the LEZ, with up to £3000 in grants for households on certain benefits to scrap polluting vehicles and invest in more sustainable transport. Small businesses can also benefit from up to £2,500 from the Energy Saving Trust.
  • Scotland’s LEZs will issue fines to the most polluting vehicles only and are not designed to generate income. The Scottish LEZs are not designed in the same way as the Clean Air Zones in other parts of the UK which essentially set a fee for entering in a non-compliant vehicle. The Edinburgh LEZ will issue fines for non-compliance set at rates which will discourage repeat contraventions.

Is this a Council strategy or something encouraged by the Scottish Government?

  • We have been working to introduce an LEZ in Edinburgh since 2018 in line with the Scottish Government’s commitment to implement LEZs in Scotland’s four largest cities – Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee – to tackle air pollution and protect public health.
  • Our own City Mobility Plan – Edinburgh’s ten-year-transport strategy – commits to developing an LEZ alongside several other measures to tackle congestion, support cleaner air and support the move towards low emission transport. These include the Workplace Parking Levy (subject to consultation), the completion of the tram line to Newhaven and expansion of the active travel network.

Are you planning to increase electric vehicle charging infrastructure to help people comply with the LEZ?

  • Although you don’t have to have an electric vehicle to drive in the LEZ (newer petrol and diesel vehicles will still be allowed), the Council is working to develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the city to help facilitate these types of vehicles.
  • We’ve been awarded £2.2m of funding from Transport Scotland through the Switched-On Towns and Cities Fund for installing on street chargers. A total of 66 of these chargers will be put in across the city as part of the first phase of implementation. This is expected to be completed by 31 March 2022.
  • There are already publicly accessible electric vehicle chargers located around the city. Their locations can be found on the Charge Place Scotland website.

Take part in the LEZ consultation, which runs until 20 September, on the Council website.