Edinburgh, Scotland Climate Challenge Fund

Type: Program

Status: Ongoing

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Description:

Edinburgh communities are being encouraged to take advantage of an exciting new fund to help cut their carbon emissions. The Government’s Climate Challenge Fund, has £18.8 million to give away to carbon-reducing community projects by 2011.

Grants of up to £1million are available to help community organisations plan, learn, communicate and most importantly, take action to reduce carbon emissions. Projects could involve using less energy, walking and cycling more or using more local food supplies.

Edinburgh Worktrack is one local organisation which has already benefited from the fund. Recently awarded £65,000, the Craigmillar Community Combined Heat and Power Scheme aims to develop more cost-effective energy systems including a community owned Combined Heat and Power (CHP) scheme.

The City of Edinburgh Council has set an ambitious target of achieving a carbon free economy by 2050. A Carbon Management Plan for the Council has been developed and procedures established to ensure that all policy and spending decisions account for impact on carbon emissions. However, community-led initiatives are also essential in tackling the everyday causes of climate change and the Council is encouraging local communities across the city to take action to cut their carbon emissions and is keen to lend support where possible.

The Council is currently working in partnership with Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council to develop a proposal for carbon reduction in local voluntary services. Community consultations on the proposal are currently being carried out via the Neighbourhood Partnerships and if there is enough support for the proposal a project will be developed on which to base a funding application in the near future.