WIREDGOV

£2.86 million to local communities to help tackle climate change.

The latest round of Climate Challenge Fund awards will see 33 community-led projects share £2.86 million, Climate Change Minister Aileen McLeod announced today.

These awards will support local communities to take action on climate change and move to low-carbon living.

The Fund has helped communities throughout Scotland reduce, reuse and recycle their waste, increase the energy efficiency of homes and community buildings, encourage active travel and the use of low-carbon transport, and promote and produce local food.

The latest recipients include:

• The McLaren Community Leisure Centre, Callander has been awarded £149,827 to reduce energy use and carbon emissions through improvements to the centre’s roof insulation and lighting. The project will also help the local community to reduce carbon emissions through home energy efficiency advice, fuel efficient driver training, a lift share scheme and promotion of cycling.
• Greenock Morton Community Trust has been awarded £106,029 to promote lower carbon lifestyle choices in Inverclyde. With support from Beith Community Development Trust, project activities include a sports kit and footwear recycling initiative, an eco-friendly bulk laundry system, promotion of car sharing, public transport and walking together with engagement on climate change with local schools.
• The Glasgow Nepalese Association has been awarded £41,550 to provide home energy efficiency advice, community workshops and a bicycle club to the local Nepalese community, thus reducing energy use, car travel and fuel poverty.
• Charlie's Plot 2 in Fife, a community project led by young people in Methilhill, has been awarded £32,611 under the Junior Climate Challenge Fund to help the community to make informed food choices, tackle food waste and increase their knowledge of climate change.

Dr McLeod said:

“Climate change is one of the most serious challenges to global society and the natural environment both at home and abroad. We know that reducing greenhouse gas emissions isn’t easy, but the Scottish Government takes climate change extremely seriously. This is why we have set the most ambitious global targets to cut emissions.

“Some of the best initiatives to reduce carbon are devised and delivered at a local level. That is why I’m delighted to announce the latest round of grant awards. Beyond doubt, the Climate Challenge Fund is making a real difference in our transition to a low carbon future.

“To date we have invested £64.4 million in the Climate Challenge Fund and helped 527 community led organisations across the length and breadth of Scotland tackle climate change at a local level.

Derek Robertson, Chief Executive at Keep Scotland Beautiful said:

“We congratulate the latest projects to be awarded Climate Challenge Fund and Junior Climate Challenge Fund grants and look forward to working closely with them in the implementation of their projects.

Keep Scotland Beautiful is very proud to support community action on climate change through our management and development of the Climate Challenge Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government and see it as part of our work to help make Scotland clean and green, today and tomorrow.”

Notes To Editors

Link to successful applicants: www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/climatechange/ccf/projects/CCF20

The Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) is a Scottish Government programme, managed and developed by Keep Scotland Beautiful, which provides funding for community groups that are tackling climate change through local community-led projects. Further details from www.climatechallengefund.org

Each of the projects awarded grants under this round are due to commence in April 2015 and are of one year duration. The next meetings of the Climate Challenge Fund and Junior Climate Challenge Fund grants panels take place in March when it is expected that the remaining £1.86 million available for projects in 2015-16 will be fully allocated to a selection of existing applications. As such, both Funds CCF are now closed to new applications.

The Scottish Government’s Greener Together campaign demonstrates that every greener effort does make a difference, and encourages people to recognise greener living benefits for themselves, their families and Scotland as a whole. For more information visit Greenerscotland.org