Energy Agency Proud to Support local UNESCO Biosphere

Energy Agency are delighted to become Proud Supporters of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere.

In doing so, we are committed to the six principles of the Proud Supporter Charter, which are to:

• Help to conserve the natural resources of the Biosphere
• Support the economy to benefit people and nature
• Promote cultural heritage and local products
• Contribute to the health and well-being of the community
• Develop knowledge, understanding and promote research
• Raise awareness of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere

The Biosphere is a place for cooperation and collaboration that shows that a sustainable way of living is not only possible but already happening. 

Liz Marquis, Energy Agency Director siad: 

We believe our goals are strongly aligned and look forward to supporting community, education, local enterprise and our natural environment to achieve true sustainability.

 

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland - Press Release

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland has welcomed the Scottish Government's allocation of more money specifically for Loss and Damage finance, after it announced that it will increase its contribution to £7m from the existing Climate Justice Fund. The news comes a day after members of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition and Loss and Damage experts from the Global South met with the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to discuss the issue at COP27 in Egypt.

At the meeting, delegates from Kenya, Rwanda, Mali, Malawi, Bangladesh, Nepal and Zambia shared with the First Minister their first-hand experiences of the devastating impacts the climate crisis is having in their communities and their hopes from the global climate talks. They also thanked the First Minister for the leadership Scotland has shown on Loss and Damage.

Nushrat Chowdhury, Climate Justice Policy Advisor at Christian Aid in Bangladesh, said “In our meeting the First Minister spoke strongly about her commitment to championing Loss and Damage, and this leadership is very welcome after the many years global south countries have spent campaigning for rich nations to pay for their climate damage. It is essential that this announcement - plus Loss and Damage finance being on the formal COP agenda for the first time - inspires other rich nations to pay up, and that this is seen as reparations, not charity, as the First Minister has said.”

Anne Callaghan co-chair of SCCS's International group said: “We are pleased to see this allocation of money from the existing Climate Justice Fund specifically for Loss and Damage. As the First Minister has acknowledged, this contribution is small but, crucially, we have already seen both Denmark and Belgium build on Scotland’s leadership and also commit funds. All rich nations must now urgently address the grave injustice that the world's poorest countries who have done least to cause the damage are paying the price to recover. 

“However, with increasingly catastrophic climate impacts, we urge the First Minister to now commit to ensuring these funds are genuinely new and additional and raised by making the biggest polluters in Scotland pay for the damage they’re causing.

“By doing so, the Scottish Government can go beyond symbolic sums, contribute our fair share of climate finance and boost investment in the actions needed for a just transition to a fairer, low carbon Scotland. It would also mean the cost of living crisis driven by our dependence on fossil fuels could be definitively addressed, rather than lurching from one crisis to another. The longer we wait to act, the more expensive it will be.” 

Call Home Energy Scotland to see if you can benefit from Scottish Government funding, delivered by Energy Saving Trust.

The Scottish Government has made funding available this year to help householders install energy efficient measures and help reduce their heating bills.

People are being urged to contact Home Energy Scotland to receive advice and support to help make their homes warmer and reduce their heating bills.

Financial support worth up to £5,000 is also available to make homes more energy efficient through improvements like home insulation, draught proofing or a new heating system.

Did you know that a home that isn’t well insulated can lose more than 50% of its heat through its roof and walls? So making improvements can make your home more energy efficient and comfortable, helping to lower Scotland’s emissions. For example, adding loft insulation into a home with none could save you up to £355 a year.

Home Energy Scotland, the Scottish Government’s free energy efficiency advice service, helps people access funding for energy efficient measures along with a range of other financial support and impartial advice. If it looks like you might be eligible for help, you will be referred for an initial survey to be carried out of your home before measures are installed.

The one-stop-shop for support is funded by Scottish Government and delivered by Energy Saving Trust. Call 0808 808 2282 or visit www.homeenergyscotland.org/contact to request a call back.

To find out exactly what you are eligible for – whatever your circumstances – call the Home Energy Scotland hotline now on 0808 808 2282.