Tackling climate change

More than one hundred organisations across Scotland are to benefit from almost £10 million of funding to support local action to tackle climate change.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made the announcement at R:evolve Recycle – a clothing swap shop with the aim of reducing textile waste. The organisation is a current recipient of the fund and has now been awarded a further £143,416.

The First Minister said:

“Scotland is making huge progress in delivering our climate change ambitions, but there is still much to achieve and the role of behaviour change and community action is crucial.

“The Climate Challenge Fund supports community projects that inspire people to care about the problem of climate change, consider what it might mean to them in terms of their everyday lives and enable them to take action.

“R:evolve Recycle is an excellent example of this approach. They work with people spanning the whole community – from school children to elderly community residents.”

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland said:

“Scotland’s ambitions for a circular economy, where we make things last for longer, go hand-in-hand with its world-leading commitments to tackling climate change. Thanks to extra investment from the European Regional Development Fund we’re now able to help more communities across Scotland take action locally to benefit Scotland’s environment.

“We look forward to working with the successful organisations to make a real difference to their communities.”

Derek Robertson, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful said:

“Climate change impacts all of us and we need collective action to tackle it. We were delighted to have supported so many communities from across Scotland in applying for the Climate Challenge Fund.

"We have managed the Climate Challenge Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government since it was established in 2008 and are committed to empowering many more communities across Scotland to take action on climate change. Our vision is to make Scotland clean, green and more sustainable.” 

Background

The Climate Challenge Fund is £9.97 million in 2017-18 and is a combination of £9.09 million from the Scottish Government and £0.88 million from the European Regional Development Fund.

Since the Fund launched in 2008, 986 awards have been made totaling £85.8 million.

A full list of recipients can be found here.

Read more about Lightburn Elderly Association Project’s volunteer led R:evolve Recycle here.