Tag: Net Zero Scotland

Wet wipes containing plastic to be banned

Action to protect the environment and marine waters

The sale and supply of wet wipes containing plastic in Scotland will be banned from 11 August 2027 under regulations published today.

Wet wipes containing plastic are a common and persistent source of marine litter and can break down into microplastics over time, harming the natural environment.

The move is part of wider action to protect Scotland’s environment and marine waters and includes a transition period for businesses to help them prepare.

The measures will include exemptions for medical and industrial uses as well as business-to-business sales. Members of the public who require specific wet wipes containing plastic for medical or healthcare reasons will also be able to request these from a pharmacy.

A ban will be introduced in all four nations of the UK following a UK-wide consultation in 2023, which found overwhelming public support for the proposals, with over 93% of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing to the move.

Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Wet wipes containing plastic are an unnecessary single-use item, for which more environmentally friendly alternatives already exist. 

“As with all single-use items, it is vital they are disposed of correctly, otherwise they become a problematic source of marine litter and a threat to the health of our environment and wildlife.

“This ban delivers on an important commitment made in our Marine Litter Strategy and builds on previous actions to ban unnecessary single-use plastic items such as plastic-stemmed cotton buds, plastic straws, cutlery and single use vapes.

“These policies are all proof of the progress we are making towards protecting our environment and creating a more circular economy. In addition, we will continue to call on the UK Government to address issues such as misleading claims on product packaging which can lead to incorrect disposal of items such as wet wipes.”

Scottish Water Chief Executive, Alex Plant, said: “This ban will help us tackle one of the biggest challenges we face – responding to and clearing around 35,000 blockages every year in our sewers, at a cost of about £10 million, largely due to wet wipes wrongly flushed down toilets.

“Scottish Water’s Nature Calls campaign has led the way in making the case for a ban – and encourages everyone to bin wet wipes and stick to the 3Ps – flushing only pee, poo and toilet paper. 

“We are also calling on the UK Government for mandatory responsible ‘do not flush’ labelling for all bathroom products that risk being wrongly disposed of to sewers, and an end to misleading environmental claims on packaging to reduce customer confusion and reinforce the correct disposal option.

“This issue is reserved and the critical next step to reduce blockages further and prevent environmental harm.”

Climate Engagement Fund reopens

Supporting community climate action

Community groups, cultural organisations and education initiatives are amongst the Scottish organisations who will be able to bid for support from a fund aimed at engaging people in tackling the climate emergency.

The £275,000 Climate Engagement Fund will support activities such as climate festivals, skills development and training, art exhibitions and showcasing clean technologies – all focused on increasing people’s understanding of the current and future impacts of climate change and encouraging climate action.

Since launching in 2023, the annual fund has supported 24 projects across Scotland – reaching a total of around 22,000 people with knowledge and skills relevant to tackling climate change. 

In 2025-26, this has included action by Changeworks to encourage people living in park homes to improve the energy efficiency of their accommodation, and by the Forth Valley Sensory Centre to enable blind, partially sighted, deaf and hard of hearing people, to explore sustainability through their local communities.

Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “It is vital that everyone in our society understands the positive opportunities of climate action, and how it can improve their own lives. 

“The Climate Engagement Fund will help increase awareness and empower people across Scotland to take action in their local communities whilst supporting Scotland in meeting its target of net zero emissions by 2045 and building our resilience to climate impacts.”

Changeworks’ Chief Executive Josiah Lockhart, said: “Climate Engaged Park Home Communities is a perfect example of how it’s possible – and necessary – to tackle climate change in ways that improve people’s lives at the same time.

“That means supporting and empowering communities to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes, especially those communities who have been under-served in the past.”

Applications for the Climate Engagement Fund will close at 23:59 on 1st March 2026.

Apply to the Climate Engagement Fund

Circular Economy Strategy consultation

Draft plan to increase reuse and recycling whilst growing the economy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

£18 million for Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund

Extra support for North Sea workers

Thousands more North Sea workers will be able to access tailored support to help them transition into jobs in the sustainable energy sector – thanks to an £18 million boost in funding.

The Scottish Government will invest a total of £9 million over the next three years to the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund, matched by £9 million from the UK Government, to help oil and gas workers access careers advice and funding for training to enable them to move into roles in sustainable energy industries.

Launched as a pilot programme in June, in response to demand from oil and gas workers, the scheme has received a total of £1.39 million funding to date, with at least 300 workers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire set to be supported in this financial year.

The additional government funding will allow thousands of additional workers to be supported by 2029. Both Governments will now work with trade unions and industry to develop and promote the scheme and explore opportunities for additional private investment.

More than £120 million has already been invested by the Scottish Government in the North East through the Just Transition Fund and the Energy Transition Fund to support the region’s transition to net zero. This funding has helped create green jobs, support innovation, and secured the highly skilled workforce of the future.

Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Scotland’s innovation, expertise and vast renewable energy resources will not only benefit the planet – but deliver new economic opportunities and new jobs for households and communities across the country.  

“This continued and expanded funding to the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund will support more offshore workers to take on different roles across the sustainable energy sector over the next three years – helping to deliver a fair and managed transition to the sector.

“We will continue to explore how best to support Scotland’s energy skills transition, working closely with the UK Government on options like guaranteed interview schemes, redeployment pools and skills passporting.”

UK Government Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Communities across Scotland have long been calling out for a new generation of good industrial jobs. The clean energy jobs boom can answer that call – and today we publish a landmark national plan to make it happen and places Scotland at the very heart of the clean energy revolution this government is delivering. 

“Our plans will help create an economy in which there is no need to leave your hometown just to find a decent job. Thanks to this government’s commitment to clean energy a generation of young people in Scotland can have well-paid secure jobs, from plumbers to electricians and welders. 

“This is a pro-worker, pro-jobs, pro-union, agenda that will deliver the national renewal our country needs.” 

All future Scottish Government funding remains dependent on the upcoming 2026/27 Scottish Budget, Scottish Spending Review and future annual Scottish Budget.

The Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund is aimed at individuals who are currently working (or have worked in the last two years) in the oil and gas industry.

Further information regarding the pilot can be found here: Home

Funding confirmed for community climate action in Scotland

Climate engagement programmes to protect our planet

Young people and people with sensory loss are among groups who will be supported by funding for projects aimed at increasing understanding of how climate change is relevant to them and how they can take action.

A total of £273,000 of Climate Engagement funding will be shared among eight organisations in 2025-26 to support activities including climate literacy classes, community workshops and participatory arts sessions.

Since it launched in 2023, more than 15,000 people in Scotland have engaged with the Scottish Government’s world-leading Climate Engagement Fund, with awards totalling more than £1 million to date.

The latest round of funding will support activities including:

  • A roadshow aimed at young people across Scotland demonstrating how sustainable construction can play a role in tackling climate change
  • A community arts programme using the voices of young people to mitigate climate anxiety by showing how others have converted their concerns into action
  • Actions to support people who are blind, partially sighted, deaf or hard of hearing to explore sustainability through their local communities.
  • Climate literacy classes and green skills training to support people experiencing barriers to employment.

Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “To reduce emissions and protect our planet from the threat of climate change and nature loss, it is essential that people understand how they can engage with vital projects within their communities and take their own climate action.

“Scotland is now halfway to our 2045 climate change target. By supporting networks of people coming together to identify local action, the Climate Engagement Fund will help enable individuals and communities to directly contribute to a more sustainable and climate resilient Scotland.

“The projects being supported in this round of funding include a community arts programme using the voices of young people, and green skills training to support people into employment.

“These are vital projects which will build understanding of climate change, enable participation in policy development, and encourage climate action.”

Forth Valley Sensory Centre College Operations Manager Sandy Gillone, said: “I am delighted that our project has been selected for funding as we know we were up against stiff competition.

“It is fantastic to be partnering with FEL Scotland again and we’re looking forward to engaging with the public to find out which points of interest they would like included on our SustainAble for All Trail Maps.

“We’re committed to delivering the maps in engaging and inclusive formats and we believe the consultation and design process itself will lead to increased awareness and understanding of climate change. We’re not just seeking to raise awareness of the problem, we want to empower people to be part of the solution.”

More information on the Climate Engagement Fund: www.gov.scot/publications/climate-engagement-fund/

Details of all the projects receiving funding:

Organisation, Grant amount and Brief project description

Arran Eco Savvy – £29,991.00

To deliver climate-focused events centred on storytelling, practical skills, and community participation tailored for different ages and interests.

Glenkens Community and Arts Trust – £33,100.00

To use local voices to mitigate eco-anxiety in young people aged 18-30 by showing how other people have converted their concerns into action.

Built Environment Smarter Transformation – £46,172.00

To deliver a roadshow programme for young people throughout Scotland demonstrating how sustainable, low-carbon construction can play a crucial role in combating climate change.

Changeworks – £40,250.00

To build understanding among mobile homeowners of the climate emergency, how it relates to their lives and how they can take action while improving their own home environment.

Forth Valley Sensory Centre – £33,000.00

Creating an accessible way for people who are blind, partially sighted, deaf, or hard of hearing, to explore sustainability through their local communities.

RIG Arts – £25,290.00

To improve climate literacy and increase climate positive behaviour change in SIMD communities via arts-based interventions.

Jhankar Beats – £30,000.00

To empower communities to reflect, respond, and act using the emotional and connective power of South Asian dance, music, and participatory arts.

Greener Kirkcaldy- £35,942.00

To provide climate literacy and green skills training tailored for employability organisations and the people with barriers to employment

Total – £273,745.00

Community benefits consultation

Views sought on benefits from renewable energy developments

Views are being sought on ways to improve how communities will receive additional benefits from renewable energy developments.

‘Community benefits’ are provided by developers to local groups and can include funding, actions such as in-kind works, the direct support of projects, or other site-specific benefits – such as a reduction in energy bills through local electricity discount schemes or building affordable housing.

Feedback on how to ensure the benefits are sustainable, meaningful and make the biggest positive impact on communities, will be used to update existing guidance for onshore and offshore energy developments, setting out the best practice approach for developers and local areas when delivering community benefits.

Over the past 12 months, more than £30 million has been awarded in community benefits in Scotland, up from £25 million in 2023.

This figure is expected to further increase with investment in clean energy sectors forecast to reach £40 billion over the next decade – providing greater opportunities for local areas to benefit from community benefit schemes.

Acting Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Scotland is set to become a global renewables powerhouse – generating not only  enough green electricity to power all our homes and businesses, but also to export electricity to our neighbours who also need to decarbonise and become more  energy secure. 

“We believe that communities should be at the heart of this transition, and it is vital that they share in the significant economic and social benefits which will be created as we develop our renewable energy resources.

“This means making sure that energy developments provide community benefit schemes which deliver tangible and long lasting legacy benefits for local areas – as well as supporting local jobs, supply chain businesses and wider growth.

“I encourage everyone with an interest to take part in the consultation, to ensure that our arrangements deliver  positive and  meaningful impacts of the type that communities want and help support our just and fair transition to net zero and clean energy security.”    

Scottish Renewables, Chief Executive, Claire Mack said: “As our clean energy transition gathers pace it is important to ensure lasting benefits are secured for Scotland. Delivering our pipeline of projects will provide a significant boost for the economy through high-value jobs, supply chain growth and inward investment.

“Scotland’s renewable energy industry is proud of our positive record to date on community benefits from projects and we want to ensure they continue to deliver for communities. In that effort, however, we must not lose sight of the challenges facing project deployment.

“We look forward to engaging constructively with this consultation to ensure community benefits are sustainable for industry and strategically placed to deliver a long-term, positive impact for local communities.”

Zoë Holliday from the Scottish Community Coalition on Energy said: “We commend the Scottish Government for committing to update the Good Practice Principles for community benefits.

“Since its establishment, the Scottish Community Coalition on Energy has been calling for these to be overhauled to reflect current technologies and context.

“Now is the time to be ambitious and to make improvements to the guidance to ensure a Fair Deal from the energy transition for communities across Scotland.”

Take part in the consultation

Community benefits are additional benefits, that are currently voluntary, which developers provide to the community. The Scottish Government does not currently have the power to legislate for community benefits, which lies with the UK Government.

Scottish Government unveils 2030 Route map to circular economy

PLAN TO BOOST REUSE AND RECYCLING

Actions aimed at ensuring households and businesses in Scotland boost reuse and recycling rates and cut waste have been published.

The Circular Economy and Waste Route Map sets out 11 priority areas where efforts and resources will be concentrated to support a transition to a circular economy – where resources are kept in use for as long as possible. 

They include:

  • setting new circular economy targets
  • reducing the amount of food waste produced
  • developing a model for regional hubs and networks for the reuse of construction materials and assets
  • improving the provision of recycling and waste services
  • minimising the carbon impacts of the energy from waste sector

The Route Map is the product of extensive collaboration and engagement with the public, private and third sectors through two consultations since 2022, with consistently high levels of support for the proposals.

The overall recycling rate in Scotland is at its highest level since records began in 2011, and the actions in the Route Map complement provisions in the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024, which was passed unanimously by MSPs in June.

Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin launched the Route Map at a visit to Grassmarket Community Project in Edinburgh, which upcycles discarded wooden furniture into new items.

She said: “Reusing and recycling materials has a huge role to play in Scotland’s response to tackling the climate crisis. 

“We must make the circular option, where we value materials and keep them in use for as long as possible, either in their original form or recycled, an easier choice for Scottish households, businesses and the public sector.

“The Route Map sets out an ambitious plan to help make this a reality and I want to thank all those who have contributed to its development.

“There have been consistently high levels of support for its actions, which promote and support responsible production and consumption, along with the sustainable management of Scotland’s resources – and the final route map will be key to supporting the Scottish Government’s net zero and economic growth goals.”

Helene van der Ploeg, CEO of the Grassmarket Community Project said: “We pride ourselves on our initiatives to repurpose, recycle and reuse through our wood workshop, and Tartan shop. Old furniture, church pews and fallen trees are donated and re-worked into beautiful pieces of furniture or small household items. Leftover tartan from weavers, and donated fabric scraps are handcrafted into beautiful gifts.

“These materials, once considered waste and destined for landfill, are now valuable contributors to the circular economy. Thanks to generous donations, we’re recycling these materials, giving them new purpose, and creating timeless treasures that will be passed down through generations.

“Along the way, we generate income, provide essential skills training for our members (beneficiaries) and volunteers, all of which embodies and reinforces the values of the Route Map and our commitment to the circular economy.”

Read the Circular Economy and Waste Route Map 

Summary of priority actions:

* = Relates to provisions in the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024

  1. Publish a Product Stewardship Plan to set out how we will tackle the environmental impact of priority products by 2025/26
  2. Develop an intervention plan to guide long-term work on household food waste reduction behaviour change by 2026/27
  3. *Develop with stakeholders’ effective options to implement mandatory reporting for food waste and surplus by businesses from 2025/26
  4. Support the development of a model for regional Scottish hubs and networks for the reuse of construction materials and assets from 2025-2027
  5. *Facilitate a co-design process for high quality, high performing household recycling and reuse services, 2024 – 2026
  6. Review of compliance with commercial recycling requirements, 2026
  7. Co-design measures to improve commercial waste service provisions, commencing by 2030
  8. Develop a Residual Waste Plan to 2045, by 2027
  9. Facilitate the development of a Sector-Led Plan to minimise the carbon impacts of the energy from waste sector, by 2027
  10. *Develop a circular economy strategy every five years, with first one published in 2026
  11. *Set new circular economy targets by 2027.

The Colonies: Future Proofing Your Home – free information event tonight

Stockbridge and Inverleith Community Council are hosting this free Home Energy Scotland event at Edinburgh Academy this evening.

Find out how you can make your home more energy efficient and save money on your fuel bills.

The event starts at 7pm.

VIBES Awards call on businesses to play their part in helping Scotland meet net zero ambitions

The VIBES Awards are calling on businesses across Edinburgh and Lothians to play their part in supporting Scotland to meet its target of net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045.

The announcement comes just days after the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Glasgow City Council and Global Footprint Network revealed that Earth Overshoot Day, the point at which we have already have used up our quota of the Earth’s biological resources for the year, will land on Thursday 29 July.

This is the second year Scotland has been chosen to make this global environmental announcement and reflects the vital role the country will play in climate change conversations over the course of 2021.

The VIBES Awards will recognise the vital contribution of Scottish companies who are embracing both the environmental and business benefits of a sustainable approach and showing how Scotland can help #MoveTheDate of Earth Overshoot Day in future years.

Entries for businesses to show how they are taking urgent action to halt the climate emergency have just opened at www.vibes.org.uk

The awards will also showcase the important role of Scottish businesses ahead of COP26, the annual UN climate change conference which is coming to Glasgow in November 2021.

The COP26 conference is focused on bringing together parties to tackle climate change and to create a more resilient future for everyone and the VIBES awards are helping to accelerate the pace towards net zero by shining a spotlight on some of the inspirational work already underway in Scotland to reduce the impact on climate change.

Businesses can be recognised for “environmental good practice” or “outstanding achievement” and VIBES are keen to hear from companies who have improved or changed their way of working or have products or services that will help Scotland.

SolarisKit, the world’s first flat-packable solar thermal collector, won a Good Practice Award in the 2020 VIBES awards and demonstrate both the environmental and financial benefits of environmental best practice.

The company, based in Dundee, developed an innovative prismatic design which is able to convert sunlight directly into hot water tackling some of the biggest barriers to the uptake of solar energy in developing countries.

SolarisKit’s founder Faisal Ghani developed the solar thermal collector after realising that carbon emissions from developing and emerging economies exceeded those produced from the industrialised nations. He decided the most impactful way to tackle the climate emergency was through simple and practical clean energy solutions which would not only have a massive impact on the environment but also potentially improve the lives of millions of people across the world.

Faisal Ghani, said: “The SolarisKit team and I were delighted to be acknowledged by the VIBES Awards. We strongly believe in the importance of decarbonising heat to tackle the climate emergency, and the importance of developing solutions suitable for both developing and industrialised economies. We look forward to working within the incredible Scottish eco system to achieve our mission.”

The VIBES Awards were launched in 1999 and have recognised the important contribution of almost 200 businesses in encouraging the efficient use of resources, improving environmental performance and supporting the wider goals of sustainable development.

Terry A’Hearn, Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said: “In November, the eyes of the world will turn to Scotland and COP26. Together we can choose one-planet prosperity over one-planet misery.

“We can and must build from the pandemic through our global ability to plan, to protect and move at pace. Scottish business innovation helped lead the Industrial Revolution.

“In 2021 the Glasgow summit and the future we choose as each community, city, company or country, offers real hope for a new net-zero revolution, with Vibes being a key opportunity to show Scottish business leadership.”

Gillian Bruce, Chair of the VIBES Awards, said: “This is a key time for Scotland and each and every business in the country has a role to play in developing sustainable solutions.

“The VIBES Awards are proud to highlight the existing work which is underway to help Scotland move towards net zero and we hope our successful businesses can inspire others to improve their environmental practices and help to safeguard Scotland for future generations.”

The 2021 VIBES Awards ceremony will be provisionally held in October 2021 and decisions on the format of the event will be made in line with COVID regulations closer to the date.

Businesses have until 30 July 2021 to submit an application.

For further information or to enter please visit www.vibes.org.uk