Transport Convener: ‘I am working to ensure we continue investing in roads and footpaths’
The City of Edinburgh Council is on track to carry out improvements on the largest area of roads and pavements in one financial year, thanks to £11m of additional capital investment.
Around 420,000m² of road and 170,000m² of pavement improvements will be carried out in 2023/24, compared to pre-Covid yearly averages of 225,000m² for roads and 30,000m² for pavements.
Amongst the work completed is the resurfacing of Greendykes Road, along with active travel upgrades, improvements on Waterloo Place and Princes Street and the resurfacing of a large section of the A90.
Projects underway include the London Road placemaking improvement scheme, which will result in pavement improvements such as widening, cycle segregation, new traffic signals and pedestrian crossings and road resurfacing. This is due for completion in March 2024.
Most budgeted capital schemes will have been delivered in the first three quarters of 2023/24. By taking advantage of warmer weather, teams reduced the amount of material being laid in colder conditions and thereby the likelihood of material failure.
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “The effect of this additional £11m of capital investment is clear in the numbers – in 2023/24 we’ll improve more square metres of roads and pavements than in any other financial year.
“Of course, concerns around the condition of our roads and pavements remain and are justified, and we’re listening. By significantly increasing the number of improvement schemes we’re working towards a safe, usable network.
“That said, like any other city we continue to work to a tight budget, in the face of increasing labour and material costs. However, this investment, along with prudent planning and delivery of schemes, is helping the situation to improve. The work undertaken in 2023/24 will help get our city back on track, but I am working to ensure we continue investing in roads and footpaths.”
The main focus for the final quarter of 2023/24 will be pavements, with plans to resurface almost 100 footways in residential streets, amounting to more than 86,000m² of coverage.
Capital improvements will also be supplemented by work carried out by the Council’s Roads Operations team, in addition to its role providing day-to-day revenue maintenance. In 2023/24 Roads Operations will deliver improvements to 45,000m² of the city’s roads, bringing the total area covered in 2023/24 to over 460,000m².
This has been aided by the Council’s new Pothole Pro machine, which ensures a higher level of quality control and reliable repairs. This machine has now fixed around 8,000m² of potholed road surfaces.
Available to take part in online, the consultation findings will be used to finalise the policy before it is presented to Councillors in the Spring.
If adopted, the Climate Ready Edinburgh Plan is expected to become one of the city – and country’s — leading climate action plans, bolstered by ambitious work that is already underway in Edinburgh to tackle carbon emissions and head towards net zero by 2030.
It comes after Councillors considered the second annual 2030 Climate Strategy and city-wide carbon emissions report, which measures progress against agreed actions to reduce emissions and help the city achieve its net zero target by 2030.
Much climate adaptation work is already underway in Edinburgh, which this draft plan aims to build on. Its primary aim will be to guide changes to the city to safeguard people and wildlife from the risks posed by climate change.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “Climate change will affect everyone in Edinburgh, there is no question of that. Some residents and communities will be more vulnerable than others to these changes and it is our duty to defend them from risks such as the sea level rising and threats to biodiversity.
“We know tackling climate change and poverty go hand in hand and this Plan aims to ensure we are adapting in ways that benefit all citizens and communities equally.
“It is bold and ambitious in its approach and aims, but much like our net zero goals for Edinburgh, this is absolutely essential if we are to properly confront the climate emergency. It is undoubtedly the key existential challenge of our times.
“I’m very keen that we engage with communities, ensuring we are inclusive in our decision making and all voices are represented. Listening to our communities will be a key focus as we adapt to climate change.
“What’s clear, however, is that we can’t do this alone. As a Council, we can shape and influence change through our policies and plans, but this needs to be a team effort, a pulling together of resources and plans across the public, private and voluntary sectors. That’s why I’m so grateful to the Edinburgh Adapts Group for jointly developing this plan with us. It has involved climate experts and industry from all of the city joining forces.”
Gordon Reid, Scottish Water General Manager for Zero Emissions and Chair of the Edinburgh Adapts Partnership Group, said: “We are already seeing the impact of climate change in Edinburgh, so its great to see this consultation start on how we adapt Edinburgh to climate change.
“It will affect us all and we will have to act. In my own organisation, we are already investing in Edinburgh to deliver climate change adaptation and are working closely with the council on this. However, we need united action and funding from many partners.”
The draft plan priority themes are in the following eight areas:
Planning and the built environment: actions that will help to mitigate the effects of climate change by making our buildings and infrastructure more resilient.
Water management and resilience: actions to tackle flooding and associated impacts from severe weather events.
Coastal adaptation: actions to manage sea level rises and the impact to our coastline and surrounding communities.
Sustainable transport: actions to support a well-connected city.
Safeguarding and enhancing our natural environment: actions that will support our natural environment and biodiversity.
Strong, healthy community and economy: actions to support our communities, addressing climate justice, to create a thriving city.
Building understanding of climate risk: actions to continue to ensure our understanding of how the climate is changing and the impacts of this to the city are based on the latest climate science.
Governance and risk: actions to drive delivery and partnership working.
A new clean vehicle charging hub at Leith Waterfront’s Ocean Terminal is to power up after being approved by City of Edinburgh councillors.
The hub, powered by SSE, will form part of the major redevelopment of Ocean Terminal which is currently underway, and which will create a sustainable new neighbourhood on Leith’s waterfront with the provision of new homes, health and leisure facilities and new active travel options for centre users and the surrounding community.
Located at the front of the Ocean Terminal building, adjacent to the current south car park, six state-of-the art EV chargers powered by traceable, clean renewable energy will be able to charge up to 12 vehicles at a time, with two of the bays in the hub designated for accessible parking.
The new site will allow electric vehicle drivers to charge their cars whilst visiting the facilities at the redeveloped Ocean Terminal centre – including a cinema, gym, bingo and family entertainment venue Level X. The ultra-rapid charging facilities of up to 150 kilowatts (kW) will allow drivers to get back on the road within an hour of plugging in.
On 10th August 2023, the ultra-rapid EV Charging Hub from SSE Energy Solutions was installed and launched at the Gapton Hall Retail Park in Great Yarmouth, managed by M7 Real Estate for Oxford Properties. Sir Brandon Lewis CBE was in attendance for the unveiling.
Chris Richardson, Managing Director of Ambassador Investment Management, the Scottish owners of Ocean Terminal, said:“Having recently received planning consent to deliver our Masterplan for Ocean Terminal, we are delighted that our vision for a new neighbourhood on Leith’s waterfront with sustainability at its core is taking shape so quickly as we bring this new EV charging hub to the area.
“As the future of Ocean Terminal changes, so too do the needs of our centre users and we are proud to be working with our partners at SSE, a company which is at the forefront of decarbonisation solutions, to meet modern requirements for clean fuel and green travel options.
“And with the new hub able to charge an electric vehicle in an hour, it will provide the perfect reason to visit the new and improved Ocean Terminal for a meal, film or browse of the shops!”
On 10th August 2023, the ultra-rapid EV Charging Hub from SSE Energy Solutions was installed and launched at the Gapton Hall Retail Park in Great Yarmouth, managed by M7 Real Estate for Oxford Properties. Sir Brandon Lewis CBE was in attendance for the unveiling.
Kevin Welstead, EV Director from SSE Energy Solutions said: “We’re proud to announce this site with Ocean Terminal which will provide ultra-rapid EV charging facilities for their customers to have at their disposal.
“At SSE, we’re dedicated to helping get people on the road to net zero. By providing high-quality EV Charging hubs we are supporting both the public and businesses across the UK and Ireland to make the transition to electric vehicles.
“This site is a perfect example of how drivers can conveniently and quickly charge their electric vehicle as they go about their day.”
Ocean Terminal has recently welcomed the approval of its Masterplan to construct 530 new homes alongside commercial facilities to give a new lease of life to the Ocean Terminal centre, which originally opened in 2001.
Alongside the successful Tram to Newhaven, the plans will add significant provision of cycle parking and an expansion of the cycle route along Leith waterfront, creating new active travel options for centre users and the surrounding community.
Sustainable living ranks among top New Years resolutions
New survey from Zero Waste Scotland shows people living in the Edinburgh area are taking action to live more sustainably this year – as 61% say they’re more concerned about climate change than in 2023
Scotland is bucking the International Quitter’s Day trend (Friday 12th January) with more than half saying they plan to keep up their sustainable changes past 2024
Half of Edinbugh residents are prepared to buy fewer ‘new’ products in 2024 – which Zero Waste Scotland has deemed “the ultimate action” to tackle climate change
People living in Edinburgh and the Lothians are prioritising the fight against climate change in 2024, as 61% say they’re more concerned about climate change now, compared to this time last year.
While resolutions tend to include goals such as eating more healthily, losing weight, or cutting out sweets and alcohol, new research, commissioned by Zero Waste Scotland, shows nearly a quarter (24%) of people in the area, who made a New Year’s resolution for 2024, have vowed to live more sustainably.
Reducing food waste was the top eco action people said they would take this year, with 72% saying they would target this as part of their sustainable lifestyle efforts. Recycling more or better was another top pick for the planet, with 67% of respondents indicating they would take this on.
Encouragingly, half (50%) of people in Edinburgh and the Lothians surveyed said they would consider buying fewer new products this year – a move with huge potential to cut our contribution to climate change.
The data was released on International Quitter’s Day(Friday 12 January 2024)– the day on which people around the world are most likely to give up on their New Year’s resolutions.
Despite this global trend, more than half (56%) of people surveyed said they intend to keep up their sustainable pledges for longer than 12 months – a sign that Edinburgh-based Scots are ready to do their part in the fight against climate change.
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, explained: “While some circular lifestyle choices have become second nature to many, it’s fantastic to see an increasing appetite from Scotland to live more sustainably. And what better time to create new habits than in the New Year.
“Curbing our consumption is the ultimate action we can all take, as it reduces demand for the finite raw materials needed to make new products. Doing so can help us cut the climate impacts of our purchasing decisions down to size, avoid the worst effects of climate change, and live within the limits of our natural environment.
“There are plenty of resources available to help people in Scotland live more sustainably in the long-run and landmarks like the Scottish Government’s upcoming Circular Economy Bill and Routemap will only galvanise our efforts.
“Let’s all make small changes that have huge impact in 2024 and beyond.”
Other green lifestyle choices highlighted by survey respondents included:
Reducing use of single-use cups (39%)
Repairing or altering clothing instead of buying new (40%)
Exploring sharing and leasing (e.g. for clothing, toys, tools etc.) over buying new (21%)
Giving alternative gifts – like time, skills, or experiences (15%)
Taking more direct action against climate change, e.g. writing to my MSP, attending protests, etc. (18%)
To help empower people to embrace sustainability, Zero Waste Scotland has created an interactive online Circularity Quiz which challenges users to think about their consumption habits and how they might impact Scotland’s carbon footprint.
Throughout the quiz there are hints and tips to help people make positive changes and highlight the incredible work being done across communities, local authorities, business, and government to strengthen Scotland’s circular economy.
Ratho Coaches has become the first operator in the central belt of Scotland to put an electric coach into service, after taking delivery of a new Yutong TCe12 from Asset Alliance Group.
The Edinburgh-based firm added the coach as part of its sustainability drive, and to ensure compliance with the existing Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Glasgow city centre and ahead of the introduction of the LEZ in the Scottish capital on 1 June 2024.
Charles McIntosh, Co-Owner and Director at Ratho Coaches, says: “We are delighted to be leading the way as an environmentally-friendly coach operator. It’s the first time we’ve used Asset Alliance Group and we’re extremely pleased with the exceptional service they have provided.
“The Yutong TCe12 is a fantastic addition to our fleet and a key part of our mission to become a more sustainable business.
“It replaces a diesel coach previously used for city tours to places like Glasgow, Stirling and as far as St Andrews, helping the company to reduce its carbon footprint.”
After being certified as an Ultra Low Emission Bus (ULEB) in August 2020, the Yutong TCe12 is the first fully electric zero-emission coach to be made available in the UK. It means that the 50-seat, fully PSVAR-compliant vehicle is eligible to receive the 30p per kilometre Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) incentive payment in Scotland for qualifying work.
Using an identical electric driveline and control system to Yutong’s E10, E12 and airport buses, the vehicle’s 281 kWh battery offers Ratho Coaches a range in excess of 200 miles on a full charge.
“The excellent battery range of the coach, combined with the flexible seating and luxury specifications – including fold down tables and footrests – offers a high level of comfort for passengers joining our city tours,” adds McIntosh.
“We plan to add more electric coaches to our fleet in the coming years to take advantage of ongoing improvements in battery charging infrastructure for EVs, which will allow us to utilise them for UK-wide tours and further enhance our green transport credentials.”
Ratho Coaches currently runs a fleet of 76 vehicles, ranging from people carriers and 16-seat Mercedes-Benz Sprinters to 57-seat Executive coaches and 70-seat capacity coaches.
This year, the coach operator hopes to access the Scottish Government grant system designed to accelerate the bus and coach sector’s transition to net zero. The company has applied to the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) to help acquire additional EVs.
New Lanark World Heritage Site is set to host its first-ever reuse and repair event on Sunday 14th January 2024.
Free for attendees and open from 10am – 5pm, visitors to the ‘New Lanark New Year Reuse Fair’ can browse and shop collections of pre-loved toys, clothing, shoes, homewares, antiques and upcycled furnishings from a selection of Scottish-based vendors.
Visitors can also visit the Repair Café, where experts will be on hand to sew, mend and repurpose cherished belongings, including toys, homewares and clothing, to give a renewed lease of life instead of discarding them.
The event will promote sustainably and offer free guidance on meaningful reuse and skillful repair through a series of talks and demonstrations.
Scottish Stylist of the Year 2023, Victoria Lee, an expert in sustainable fashion, will deliver a talk and Q&A at 11am in the Institute, sharing style advice and being eco-conscious on a budget.
Brittnee Leysen, Events Officer at New Lanark said: “As we start the New Year, we know that it is a time when many people are looking to declutter and start afresh, so it is the ideal time to make more sustainable choices.
“Our New Lanark New Year Reuse Fair is a great opportunity to learn more about sustainable habits, from recycling, to repairing, and finding new uses for items in the home.
“New Lanark has a long history of sustainable practices, being one of the first places in the UK to produce a large-scale clean renewable energy scheme for public supply, so this event is a continuation of that legacy.”
The New Lanark New Year Reuse Fair will be open from 10am – 5pm, and the first 100 guests will receive a recycled materials New Lanark World Heritage tote bag.
To register interest and for more information, visit:
For visitors bringing an item to be repaired, entry to the Repair Café is available for £10, covering both expert time and materials. Tickets can be purchased directly on the day of the event.
KEEP Scotland Beautiful’s#UpstreamBattle week of action is taking place from 20- 28 January, and we’ll be hosting events across the week focused on stopping litter’s journey from #Source2Sea.
Find out more about how you can get involved and what is happening near you here:
89% of 17–18-year-olds in Scotland plan to attend university
Nearly half of prospective students in Scotland said a university’s impact on the climate was important to them when choosing their university
52% said a university’s energy efficiency and its use of renewable energy sources was important to them in their university choices
Environmental consciousness has firmly taken its place in students’ minds when making decisions about the university they wish to attend, according to latest research from corporate finance advisor, Centrus.
With 89% of 17–18-year-olds in Scotland actively planning to pursue higher education, universities are increasingly under pressure to align with their expectations, that are placing a growing emphasis on sustainability and climate responsibility.
47% of prospective university students in Scotland regard a university’s impact on the climate as an important factor in their selection decision making, with one-in-five (19%) categorising it as ‘very important’.
52% of survey respondents said a university’s energy efficiency and its use of renewable energy sources was important to them when choosing, whilst 52% said how involved the institution is in the local community weighed in on their decision-making.
Educational factors of a university remain steady in prospective students’ selection process, with the appeal of the course having the highest impact on choosing which one to attend (88%). This is closely followed by the teaching style (84%), and where the university is located (84%).
What is noteworthy however, is that a university’s environmental footprint is now considered almost as important as traditional metrics like the diversity of societies (52%), the university’s size (44%), or how old it is (33%).
Beyond the initial selection phase, students’ expectations extend to the ‘green’ credentials of their chosen university. A resounding 75% expect their university to actively engage in protecting the local environment and eco-system.
In addition, 70% expect university accommodation to use green energy, and 70% also expect all university buildings to be energy efficient. Half of respondents also confirmed that they do not want their university to invest in fossil fuels.
George Roffey, Chief Sustainability Officer of corporate finance advisor Centrus said: “There is a clear mindset among prospective university students about the importance of environmental issues and how green a university’s credentials are.
“These institutions are facing mounting pressure to meet the expectations of students, alongside other tangible social and environmental impacts. It is abundantly clear that sustainability and climate responsibility are becoming pivotal factors in the university selection process.
“For universities, this calls for a shift in some fundamental aspects of their identity. Climate change is not going away, and it must remain a core mission for higher education institutions to integrate renewable energy sources and environmental activism into their operations.
“In doing so, they will not only instil a competitive edge in attracting prospective students, but will also play a pivotal role in fostering a sustainable and responsible future, that aligns with the evolving curriculum content and the values of our new generation of students.”
• Company will begin construction of its third Scottish onshore wind farm in 12 months as Strathy Wood prepares for build out
• RWE is developing an ambitious onshore pipeline of 22 projects in Scotland and Wales as a key partner in the delivery of the energy transition
• A combined 168 megawatts of onshore wind projects, successful in the 2023 Contracts for Difference auctions, are already progressing
Scotland is at the heart of a drive by the UK’s leading power generator RWE to grow its onshore wind portfolio, with three major new projects already under construction.
The 63 megawatts (MW) Strathy Wood project in Caithness, Scotland, will become the latest to begin full construction, with pre-construction work now underway.
The start of work follows the company’s Capital Markets Day commitment to continue the pace of its UK ambition and investment, pledging to invest €8 billion into new clean energy infrastructure including in Scotland, from 2024 to 2030.
Victoria Allen, Head of Onshore Renewables Development Scotland, said: “RWE is entering 2024 strong, with our ambition in Scotland ever growing, and we are delighted to have reached significant construction milestones for Enoch Hill, Camster II and now Strathy Wood.
“Onshore wind has an important role to play in helping deliver the UK and Scottish governments’ net zero emission targets in the coming years and remains the lowest cost form of renewable electricity generation.”
Construction is already underway at Enoch Hill onshore wind project, located in East Ayrshire, Scotland. The project is expected to be operational by 2025, when it will be capable of generating enough electricity for around 67,000* typical UK homes.
At 69 MW, Enoch Hill will be RWE’s largest onshore wind farm to be built in Scotland and will use 15 Nordex wind turbines, with an overall maximum tip height of 149.9m.
Camster II, a 10 turbine site, is also in construction in Caithness and sits alongside RWE’s existing operational onshore wind site, Camster. The current construction project is due to be completed in 2025 and, once fully operational, will be capable of producing up to 36 MW of renewable electricity, enough to power around 35,000* typical UK homes.
Engineering contractor Farrans is leading construction for Enoch Hill and Camster II onshore wind projects, and has worked successfully on several other RWE renewable projects across Scotland.
Strathy Wood, a 63 MW plant located in Caithness, and located near existing onshore wind farm Strathy North will begin full onsite construction later this year. The project will have 11 turbines generating enough electricity to power 68,000 homes and will be completed by 2025.
RWE has a successful history of delivering onshore wind in the UK. It already operates a portfolio of 33 onshore wind sites with a combined installed capacity of 802 MW, and now has a further 168 megawatts MW currently under construction in Scotland.
In addition, the company has a strong onshore wind development pipeline of 22 projects across Scotland and Wales, 16 will be located in Scotland, and capable of generating a significant 1.2 gigawatts (GW) of renewable electricity.
At its operating onshore wind farms, RWE is committed to supporting its neighbouring communities through flexible community benefits packages.
The three onshore wind projects which have now entered construction will leverage an investment equal to around a total of £25 million into Scottish communities, based on a 30 year operational lifetime of the projects.
This provides those communities with an opportunity to plan and develop a more sustainable future and achieve some of their bigger and more ambitious ideas.
More broadly and over their entire lifetime, the renewables projects that RWE currently operates in Scotland will contribute an additional total of more than £17 million to Scottish community benefit funds.
Westminster committee urges UK Government to act with urgency to tackle global deforestation
UK consumption is unsustainable, with the nation’s appetite for commodities including soy, cocoa, palm oil, beef and leather putting enormous pressure on forests, Westminster’s Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) warns today.
Forests host 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, support the livelihoods of 1.6 billion people and provide vital ecosystem services to support local and global economies. Deforestation threatens irreplaceable biodiverse habitats and contributes 11% of global carbon emissions.
The intensity of UK consumption on the world’s forests – its footprint per tonne of product consumed – is higher than that of China.
The EAC is calling on Ministers to develop a Global Footprint Indicator to demonstrate this impact to the public, and a target to reduce the UK’s impact on global deforestation. Such a measure will only be meaningful if sufficient monitoring and reporting is embedded for forest risks – including mining – so EAC recommends that the Government work with international partners to improve oversight in the UK and globally.
Through legislative provision in the Environment Act, the Government has committed to establishing a regime to require forest-based commodities to be certified as ‘sustainable’ if they are to be sold into UK markets. At COP28 the Government announced that the first four of these commodities are to be cattle products (other than dairy), cocoa, palm oil and soy, which the EAC was pleased to see.
While the Government’s intention to tackle sustainability concerns of products is welcome, EAC is concerned over the seeming lack of urgency about the implementation of this regime, given global commitments to halt and reverse current deforestation trends by 2030.
For instance, no timeline has been offered as to when this important legislation will be introduced, and its phased approach of incorporating products gradually into the regime does not reflect the necessity of tackling deforestation urgently.
The Government should also bring other forest-risk commodities, such as maize, rubber and coffee, into the certification regime as soon as possible to be ‘sustainable’.
The Committee recommends that the Government strengthens the existing legislative framework so as to prohibit financial sector businesses from trading or using commodities linked to deforestation.
At global COP summits, the UK has been instrumental in delivering ambitious agreements to address global deforestation. However, despite this, the world does not appear to be on track to halt deforestation by 2030: a key commitment made during COP26 and at the Kunming-Montreal COP15 summit in December 2022.
The Government has announced large sums for programmes on climate and nature, amounting most recently to £11.6 billion with £1.5 billion earmarked for deforestation.
However, the Committee has heard concerns that there is a lack of transparency over how this investment will be spent. The Committee is therefore calling for clarity from Ministers as to how the money will be used to support activities to halt and reverse deforestation.
The Committee was alarmed to hear from Global Witness that one person is killed every other day defending land and the environment. Indigenous peoples are protectors of the world’s forests and can possess detailed knowledge on biodiversity and ecosystem trends. It is therefore critical that they are facilitated to participate fully in negotiations to address deforestation activity.
To fulfil its commitment to put environmental sustainability measures at the heart of global production and trade, the Government must ensure that biodiversity considerations are more consistently applied into its trade agreements and operations.
EAC therefore repeats its earlier calls for sustainability impact assessments to be conducted for all future trade agreements. Ministers must also develop strategies to monitor effectively and deliver environmental net gains in the UK’s international activity, including gains through halting and reversing deforestation.
Environmental Audit Committee Chair, Rt Hon Philip Dunne MP, said: “UK consumption is having an unsustainable impact on the planet at the current rate. UK markets must not be flooded with products that threaten the world’s forests, the people whose livelihoods rely on them and the precious ecosystems that call them home.
“Yet despite the recent commitment before and at COP28 to invest more in reforestation measures and The Amazon Fund to help halt the speed of global deforestation, the UK needs to take tangible steps to turn the dial at home.
“The Government’s ambition and stated commitment at COP26 to halt deforestation by 2030 was very welcome: but it is not on track now. Its legislation for a regime to require certain products to be certified as ‘sustainable’ before they can be sold in UK markets was welcome: but the implementing legislation has still not come forward. There is little sense of urgency about getting a rapid grip on the problem of deforestation, which needs to match the rhetoric.
“Countries all around the world contribute to deforestation, and the international community of course needs to do much more to tackle deforestation. Yet on some measures the intensity of UK consumption of forest-risk commodities is higher than that of China: this should serve as a wake-up call to the Government.
“To demonstrate genuine global leadership in this critical area, the UK must demonstrate domestic policy progress, and embed environmental and biodiversity protections in future trade deals.”
