Tag: Scotland’s Climate Week 2025

Protecting and restoring rainforests

Over £3 million to support temperate rainforests

Rainforest projects are to benefit from more than £3 million funding to protect biodiversity and build ecosystem resilience to climate change.  

The funding will be used to help save Scotland’s temperate rainforest – made up of native woodlands found on the west coast, where consistent levels of rainfall and relatively mild, year-round temperatures provide the right conditions for some of the world’s rarest mosses, liverworts and lichens – from the effects of the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.  

This year 1,350 hectares of priority rainforest habitat will benefit from funding to: 

  • remove rhododendron, a non-native invasive species that robs plants of nutrients, moisture and light, to give other plants space to grow  
  • restore plantations on ancient woodland sites 
  • prevent damage to young trees and ground vegetation through deer management 

Announcing the funding during Scotland’s Climate Week, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said:  “Scotland is home to its own temperate rainforest boasting a variety of rare species and habitats, and we are already delivering work to protect and expand this precious environment. We have some of the best remaining rainforest sites in Europe.

“Forestry Land Scotland are already carrying out immense work within the rainforest zone and have restored more than 2,654 hectares since 2023, and this additional funding of more than £3 million will help us to go further faster.

“Rainforests can capture up to one million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year so protecting them is essential  to help us reach net zero emissions by 2045 and, crucially, tackle biodiversity loss.”

Support for oil and gas workers

Extra funding for the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund

An additional 100 offshore oil and gas workers will be able to access tailored support to help them transition into the sustainable energy sector – following a £450,000 increase in Scottish Government funding.

The funding has been awarded to the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund, a joint Scottish Government and UK Government initiative, in response to demand from oil and gas workers. It means that over this financial year, at least 300 oil and gas workers in Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire will be able to access careers advice and funding for training to move into sustainable energy roles.

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.

The funding comes as the First Minister opened Scotland’s largest energy transition skills hub in Aberdeen, which will support 1000 people from the North East and beyond into roles in sustainable energy.

Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Today marks the beginning of Scotland’s Climate Week, which gives us a chance to recognise how the skills, experience and expertise of Scotland’s valued oil and gas workers are essential to delivering a fair and managed energy transition.

“This additional funding to the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund will support more offshore workers to take on different roles across the sustainable energy sector.

“The North East has long been a titan in the oil and gas industry and it is only right we support the talented and skilled workforce to move into new roles in the evolving sustainable energy sector.”

Scottish Government backs clean energy jobs

SCOTLAND’S CLIMATE WEEK 28th SEPTEMBER – 5TH OCTOBER 2025

Workers and communities across the North East of Scotland will benefit from £8.5 million in new funding to support the shift to clean energy careers.

Four projects are receiving funding this year through the Just Transition Fund focus on offshore wind infrastructure and supply chain development, demonstrating the Scottish Government’s commitment to economic development and supporting communities through the energy transition.

The successful projects include:

  • Cable Handling Facility, Maritime Developments Ltd – £2.9 million
  • Orah Assembly and Deployment, Verlume Ltd – £2.5 million
  • Enabling Renewable Energy Infrastructure, Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners – £2.4 million
  • Large Scale Synthetic Mooring Line Test Rig, ORE Catapult – £500,000

The investment targets areas that have provided energy security through oil and gas for generations, ensuring these communities remain at the centre of Scotland’s energy future as the country accelerates towards net zero.

The funding marks the beginning of Scotland’s Climate Week, with First Minister John Swinney officially opening Scotland’s largest energy transition skills hub at North East Scotland College in Aberdeen – a new centre of excellence which will train young people for highly skilled roles in the growing renewables sector.

The Hub received £4.5 million from the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund and represents a collaboration between the Energy Transition Zone (ETZ), North East Scotland College, Shell UK, and the Scottish Government.

First Minister John Swinney said: “This new round of funding responds to the immediate priorities of energy businesses in the North East. It focuses on projects that have a clear goal of supporting jobs and maximising economic opportunities in the region.

“The North East has long been a titan of the oil and gas industries and we must move forward together towards a cleaner, more sustainable world. Just Transition funding aims to ensure no one is left behind and that communities continue to play a vital role in the country’s clean energy future.

“I’m also looking forward to opening the ETZ’s Energy Transition Skills Hub, at the start of this year’s Climate Week. Supported by £4.5 million of Scottish Government funding, this centre of excellence will prepare local young people for the highly skilled jobs and opportunities of the future in the renewable energy industry.”