Climate Challenge Fund Launched
Media Comment Tuesday 3rd June 2008: The SDC welcomes the official launch of the Climate Challenge Fund
Professor Jan Bebbington, Vice Chair of the Sustainable Development Commission said:
"People in communities across Scotland are beginning to understand that climate change is a serious problem and that tackling it is an economic necessity - the longer we leave things, the more it will cost us.
"The Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party must be commended for their intention to help communities reduce their own carbon emissions by taking action at a local level.
"There are a handful of communities already driving change. This fund will encourage and support more action in streets, estates, villages, towns and cities all over Scotland to help get us pointing in the right direction."
Why is the Climate Challenge Fund Important?
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges currently facing all countries across the world - including Scotland. Although the way we live our lives today is part of the problem, everyone in Scotland can be part of the solution too.
The Climate Challenge Fund aims to help communities across Scotland take action to combat climate change.
The fund will support communities through grants to encourage action, for example, helping us to use less energy, to walk and cycle more, or to grow local sustainable food.
Grants can help with all or part of a project such as planning, communication and learning but most importantly it will support action to reduce carbon emissions.
How will the fund work?
The Scottish Government will be working in partnership with other organisations to reach out to communities, and provide advice and support to help them make real reductions in their carbon use:
Keep Scotland Beautiful (ksb) - will support communities who express an interest reducing their carbon from their initial enquiry right through their grant application and beyond.
Sustainable Development Commission Scotland - will coordinate the work of a supporting alliance of partners for Climate Challenge Fund.
The supporting alliance
Members of the alliance will provide guidance and support to communities who have an idea on how to reduce their carbon emissions, but may need some help and direction to put their ideas into action. It comprises of key organisations and networks with good knowledge and experience of community-level work
The fund has an emphasis on building capacity within communities to facilitate climate change action, therefore the alliance includes a network of NGOs and voluntary sector organisations to ensure that communities is involved at the heart of the work.
Further information on the alliance
