Local communities across Scotland get set for local climate action

Communities across Scotland have come up with a unique way to address the climate emergency through local environmental action.

With our support, community groups have developed bespoke Community Climate Action Plans, setting out how the local community can improve their environment and tackle the challenges we all face. The collaborative plan sets out specific actions people can take in their area, to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, boost the local economy and make local neighbourhoods cleaner, greener and more sustainable place to live. It is 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.

Funding from The Scottish Government, as part of Scotland’s COP26 community engagement programme, has allowed us to work on Community Climate Action Plans with seven communities across Scotland (Islay and Jura; Arbroath; Newcastleton; Knoydart; Pollokshields; Ferguslie Park; and Shotts). Each community received support from a community climate facilitator, to help their community to develop its unique plan. Keep Scotland Beautiful has also highlighted inspiring ideas from across Scotland and beyond, and provided guidance about further potential funding.

Michael Matheson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero Energy and Transport, said: 

“It is great to see the progress that has been made across all seven communities taking part in the Community Climate Action Plan programme. The programme is helping people increase their awareness and understanding of climate change and identify and put in place local action to tackle it. This gives communities the chance to be at the heart of a just and fair transition to net zero and I look forward to seeing the progress made over the next year.”

Our Depute CEO, Catherine Gee, said, “It has been inspiring to work with communities to provide support as they put plans in place to take real, meaningful climate action – the appetite for this is hopefully linked to increased awareness of the climate crisis following COP26.  I’m delighted that the successful groups are working with us to help Scotland meet the ambition of becoming a Net Zero Nation and look forward to seeing each of them take their next steps to put their Community Climate Action Plan in place. I am also delighted to announce that, thanks to further funding from The Scottish Government, Keep Scotland Beautiful will be able to continue to support the communities for another year – until March 2023 - as they progress through their plans.”