Can Scotland be any greener?

Recently, Scotland has taken on the role of European Co-Chair of the Under2 Coalition, a network of more than 200 governments acting against climate change. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will lead on behalf of the Scottish Government. The UN Climate Change Conference, cancelled this year, has been rescheduled for 2021 and is set to take place in Glasgow

Also recently in the news, as part of the enhanced Green New Deal, nearly £1.6 billion will be invested in up to 5,000 jobs in Scotland to tackle fuel poverty in order to eliminate Scotland’s contributions to climate change.

Another £500 million is being invested in Scotland’s natural economy. Part of the initiatives being supported by this investment includes an increase to woodland creation and flood risk management.

There are also green jobs, youth employment opportunities, investments into the reduction of carbon emissions in the industrial and manufacturing sectors and investment into waste collection improvements and infrastructure.

The Programme for Government plans to take a two-prong approach by tackling biodiversity loss and climate change.

An interactive way to find out more about what’s happening on this important issue, watch this scheduled webinar (link to be provided).

Additionally, an investment of £24 billion has been made through the Draft Infrastructure Investmetn Plan to create tens of thousands of jobs to help stimulate Scotland’s green economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. An interesting note, the plan encourages finding new uses for existing infrastructure before embarking on new projects.  This plan includes funds towards the transition to net zero emissions and the support to 18,000 hectares of forestry and restoring peatlands.

Here are some additional resources on the actions Scotland is taking:

Heather Theoret