Sustainable Uist
appoint Project Manager

Sustainable Uist appoint Project Manager

SUSTAINABLE UIST, the voluntary association dedicated to reducing carbon emissions and maximising sustainability across the islands, has taken the first steps towards achieving its aims by making its first appointment.

Joanna Peteranna has been tasked with overseeing the group’s projects, ranging from facilitating more local production of food through demonstration projects, working with residents to improve home energy efficiency, carrying out a feasibility study into an ambitious District Heating Scheme for Balivanich, further feasibility studies into off-grid renewable energy schemes, a Uist-wide Car and Lift Sharing Scheme and an associated website to act as a development tool and portal for community sustainable action.

The group’s ambitions will be outlined at a ceilidh event at St Mary’s Hall, Griminish on June 5th from 7pm. The event will also celebrate the award of £82,420 by the Climate Challenge Fund which will be used to finance the group’s projects.

‘I am delighted to be taking on this role,’ Joanna told Am Pàipear. ‘I am very much looking forward to progressing these very exciting projects and in the future seeing the benefits that they will have for all of us living in the Uists.’

The group are looking to deliver and co-ordinate carbon reduction programmes across all of the Southern Isles chain, from Berneray to Eriskay.

Joanna is clearly passionate about the prospect of raising the community’s awareness about the environmental issues that are a fundamental part of our daily lives: ‘We’ve become such a wasteful society that attitudes must change, and we can lead the change here in Uist,’ she says.

The group have also employed a Growing Manager to spearhead projects that will reduce carbon emission by growing more produce in the islands.

Readers can find out how to get involved and follow the group’s progress in a new, regular column in Am Pàipear, beginning next month.