Multi-Million Finding For Climate Change Projects

Four community projects in Fife are to benefit from nearly £3 million of Scottish Government funding to help tackle climate change.

The Climate Change Challenge Fund awards are aimed at helping communities move to low-carbon living, so far it has helped communities throughout Scotland reduce, reuse and recycle their waste, increase the energy efficiency of homes and community buildings, encourage active travel and the use of low-carbon transport, and promote and produce local food.

Tayport Community Trust's Tayport Community Growing Space project will get £78,453 to establish a community garden in the town for vegetables, salads and fruit which will help reduce carbon emissions as food and consumers travel less.  

The local community will be offered the chance to attend workshops to develop growing skills so they can grow their own at home and learn more about the links between food and climate change.  

The project aims to become self-sustaining by selling surplus produce locally.

The Ecology Centre is receiving £46,136 to run the Easy Peas-y project from a new hub at Kinghorn Loch.  

Food miles and carbon emissions will reduce as food is grown on site and community members learn the skills to grow at home.

A Men's Shed project will focus on refurbishment of unwanted garden tools while relationships with two local schools will further raise awareness of the links between food miles and climate change.  

An additional benefit of the project is improved health for those involved with outdoor gardening activities.

Charlie's Plot 2 in Methilhill is receiving £32,611 to teach locals about healthy eating, tot ackle food waste and increase awareness of climate change.

Aberdour Village in Bloom's F1 Project will establish a community growing space in Aberdour and will cut carbon emissions by reducing food miles and the need for local car journeys to shop for food.  The project, run by volunteers, will get £2,000 to fund work with all ages including the village's primary school to promote sustainable, local food. 

Minister Aileen McLeod said climate change is "one of the most serious challenges to global society and the natural environment both at home and abroad."

Dr McLeod said:

“We know that reducing greenhouse gas emissions isn’t easy, but the Scottish Government takes climate change extremely seriously. This is why we have set the most ambitious global targets to cut emissions.

“Some of the best initiatives to reduce carbon are devised and delivered at a local level. That is why I’m delighted to announce the latest round of grant awards. Beyond doubt, the Climate Challenge Fund is making a real difference in our transition to a low carbon future.

“To date we have invested £64.4 million in the Climate Challenge Fund and helped 527 community led organisations across the length and breadth of Scotland tackle climate change at a local level.”Dr McLeod said:

“Climate change is one of the most serious challenges to global society and the natural environment both at home and abroad. We know that reducing greenhouse gas emissions isn’t easy, but the Scottish Government takes climate change extremely seriously. This is why we have set the most ambitious global targets to cut emissions.

“Some of the best initiatives to reduce carbon are devised and delivered at a local level. That is why I’m delighted to announce the latest round of grant awards. Beyond doubt, the Climate Challenge Fund is making a real difference in our transition to a low carbon future.

“To date we have invested £64.4 million in the Climate Challenge Fund and helped 527 community led organisations across the length and breadth of Scotland tackle climate change at a local level.”

Tim Mullins from Keep Scotland Beautiful is welcoming the awards: