Falkirk communities step up to combat climate change

Communities in Camelon and Tamfourhill have come up with a unique way to tackle climate change, through local environmental action.

They’ve created a Community Climate Action Plan, supported by us. The collaborative plan sets out specific actions people can take to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, boost the local economy and make Camelon and Tamfourhill cleaner, greener, more sustainable places to live. It’s designed to be updated regularly, can be contributed to by anybody in the community - and everybody can play a part in tackling climate change through the activities it sets out.

The programme is part of Falkirk Canal Connections, a project led by Falkirk Council and Green Action Trust. The project has received £720,120 from the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund. It is one of 477 projects, supported by the UK Community Renewal Fund, and announced by the UK Government on 3 November 2021.

We designed and facilitated a series of workshops and supported activities and events that took place this spring and summer. Events included a canal clean up and a stall at Mariners Day in Camelon Park on Saturday 11 June 2022 where people were asked what climate action they wanted to see in Camelon and Tamfourhill. The interlinked issues of climate change and community safety were also highlighted. Surveys completed by the community during activities – including with Falkirk High pupils – revealed that 75% of Falkirk High pupils and 66% of the rest of the community think climate change is a high priority.

Our Communities Manager Katie O’Donnell said, “It has been inspiring to work with Camelon and Tamfourhill communities to provide support as they put plans in place to take real, meaningful climate action. I’m delighted that they are working with us to help Scotland meet the ambition of becoming a Net Zero Nation and it’s been great to see so much activity already resulting from their Community Climate Action Plan. I look forward to seeing the next steps. I would also like to thank all the organisations working with us to help support the local  communities - Our Place Camelon and Tamfourhill, Tamfourhill Community Hub, Tidy Clean and Green Group, Forth Valley Sensory Centre, Go Forth and Clyde and Falkirk High.”

John R Hosie, Our Place Camelon and Tamfourhill’s Community Safety Engager, said, “The Climate Emergency is a community safety priority and now more than ever we need to think global and act local. Climate change is having a significant impact upon our safety in both the outdoors and in our homes and a considerable negative impact upon our personal health and wellbeing. The current energy cost crisis is also part of the climate change phenomena and with the prospect of increased home insurance to cover extreme weather incidents it's now critically important that we take the necessary steps to address these social, economic and environmental problems and the creation of the Community Climate Action Plan for Camelon and Tamfourthill is the start of that process.”

Find out more about Community Climate Action Plans.