Mar 10
Uist groups awarded over £100,000
for CO2 reduction projects
Sustainable Uist and Talamh have joined a total of 232 communities the length and breadth of Scotland that have received a share of the £27.4 million Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) to help reduce their carbon footprint.
Today (31 March) Sustainable Uist have been awarded £82,000 for their Carbon Neutral Uist project, as one of 90 new projects receiving awards totalling over £5.5 million, while Talamh received £26,000 to develop the Blackland Centre for Local Production, supporting the relocalisation of food and fodder production in the Uists.
In recognition of the award, Chairman of Sustainable Uist, Stephen Carter, said: ‘We are delighted to be able to make a positive contribution to the future sustainablility of our islands.’
He went on to point out the potential for the Uists to become a major centre in the islands for renewable energy projects: ‘There is clear potential for making the Southern Isles a focal point for the development of renewable technologies and we hope that this is the start of something very exciting for our community.’
Over the last three years, CCF has invested to save an estimated 691,028 tonnes of carbon, the equivalent of 225,000 cars off Scotland’s roads or filling Murrayfield Stadium 345 times.
Other successful applications in the islands include Coimhearsnachd Bharraidh agus Bhatarsaidh Ltd, who have been awarded over £139,463 to establish Household Energy Efficiency Taskforce (HEET), allowing householders to examine their own energy usage in the home.
Over the three years of CCF grants, over 970 applications were received.
Making the announcement, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead visited the PEDAL – Portobello Transition Town project, who will receive nearly £183,000 from CCF.
Mr Lochhead said: ‘The Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) has captured the imagination of communities all over Scotland and demonstrated nation-wide commitment to reduce carbon footprint. I congratulate the communities in the Western Isles for the innovative methods that have been displayed throughout the seven rounds of CCF.
‘Since CCF launched it has attracted huge interest and I am very encouraged by the high level and quality of applications. We have tapped into communities desire to do more to help the environment and I look forward to seeing what will be achieved long-term through this exceptional fund.
‘CCF has empowered 232 communities to tackle their carbon emissions at local levels, which after today is now estimated to be a reduction of 691,028 tonnes of carbon, the equivalent of 225,000 cars off Scotland’s roads or filling Murrayfield Stadium 345 times. We believe that tailored approaches reflecting local needs delivers best results and we have seen some truly inspirational ideas brought to the table.’
Green MSP Robin Harper said: ‘The Climate Challenge Fund is a chance for communities to innovate and lead, and to find opportunities instead of problems.
‘The CCF has been one of the great successes of this session. We are delighted to have worked with Ministers to fund community ideas of this sort. The map of Scotland is covered with 232 extraordinary and diverse projects it has funded, and more than £27m has been invested. This money has laid the groundwork for sustainable jobs across the country, for greener and more fulfilling ways of living, and for the low carbon communities of the future.
A full list of projects can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/03/31101337
