Energy Awards Finalist

 

We are so proud of our team who have been shortlisted for two Energy Awards 2024. The categories are:

Energy Project of the Year – Residential

Energy Champion of the Year - Group Achievement.

These awards recognise the excellence, innovation and ambitions of the people and businesses that have shown their dedication and commitment to delivering high levels of service and operations across the energy industry.

Congratulations and good luck to all the finalists.

Local Organisations Come Together to Launch Ayrshire Climate Hub

 

We are delighted to announce that 10 community groups and climate organisations across Ayrshire have come together and been successful in securing funds for Community Climate Action Hub establishment and early-stage delivery. 

The award has been made for the remainder of the 2023-4 financial year, to undertake work in early spring across all three local authorities in Ayrshire & Arran, led by the Energy Agency, and partnered with The Conservation Volunteers; Let’s LOOC; Radio City Association; Organic Growers of Fairlie; Woodland Wakeup; Arran Eco-Savvy; Arran Pioneer Project; East Ayrshire Coalfield Environment Initiative and Not1More.

Early activity from the Hub includes incredible work across the region in community-led renewable energy; nature-connectedness for young people and families; raising awareness of nature based solutions models; home and business energy transformation; eco-food and climate cafes; local growing and seed stewardship; citizen science and practical conservation; e-bike trails, cycling and walking eco-mobility events; talks and film screening connecting Ayrshire with the global grassroots climate movement and more!

These and other workstreams will increase awareness and understanding of climate change, provide sharing and learning opportunities and showcase and promote positive community efforts. 

You can find out more at https://www.energyagency.org.uk/ayrshire-climate-hub  

 

Exisitng Homes Alliance seeks Stategic Communications Specialist

In December 2023, the Scottish Government published their Heat in Buildings Public Engagement Strategy, which you can view HERE

In response, The Existing Homes Alliance are seeking to appoint a consultant to support them over the next few months with strategic comms work to add capacity and expertise to their
core team in the period leading up to the Bill being introduced.

If you would like to tender for this project, please send your submission to Gillian Campbell at Existing Homes Allience. Full brief and further details can be found HERE

WWF Job Opportunity

Our friends at WWF will be recruiting a new Head of Policy and Advocacy in the New Year but are sharing the details in advance. 

View Details

Scottish Government Heat in Buildings Public Engagement Strategy

The Scottish Government has today, 13th December 2023, published their Heat in Buildings Public Engagement Strategy which you can view HERE

The strategy provides a framework for how they will work and collaborate with partners, stakeholders, and other trusted messengers to raise awareness of both energy efficiency and clean heat and encourage individuals and organisations to act.  The Strategy commits to a range of short-term actions to help build a stronger foundation of public awareness over the next three years.

COP28: a key test of the process and Scotland’s climate credibility on the world stage

 

As world leaders gather for COP28, a coalition of over 60 organisations is calling on the First Minister to seize the opportunity to bolster the international leadership Scotland has shown at previous COPs, by supporting the priorities of countries most impacted by the climate crisis and driving progress by making ambitious announcements on reducing emissions and delivering a fair transition away from fossil fuels.

Mike Robinson, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, said: 

 

“2023 will soon be confirmed as the hottest year ever recorded, with increasingly extreme weather devastating lives and livelihoods across the world, yet emissions continue to rise along with temperatures. With current international climate pledges failing to keep the planet below 2 degrees of heating, we need COP28 to step up – to break our perilous reliance on fossil fuels and to deliver much-needed financial support to people around the world who are suffering its worst impacts.   

 

“However, with the talks being hosted by one of the world’s biggest exporters of fossil fuels, many are very doubtful that we will end up with agreements anywhere near what is needed. In addition, it would appear that the whole COP process is currently in serious jeopardy, with reports that the host nation have been using these talks as a vehicle to promote its oil interests with other nations, which is deeply concerning, and the venue for next year’s talks is still undetermined after another Russia vetoed agreement on the host.

“With this background it is more vital than ever that Scotland continues to play a role in demonstrating leadership on the world stage and pushes ahead with action at home.  The First Minister has confirmed his commitment to strong climate action, but we are yet to see this translate into sufficient investment in the actions needed to reduce emissions quickly and fairly here in Scotland. 

 

“COP28 presents a key test of climate credibility on the world stage, and to protect this we urge the Scottish Government to get on with the things they can do now, such as reforming the funding system for agriculture, accelerating peatland restoration, making our homes warmer, and enabling more sustainable transport options.

 

“In addition, we want to see Scotland bolster the leadership it has shown at previous COPs by committing to raise new money for climate finance by making the biggest polluters pay, backing the development of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, and raising global ambition on the need to deliver a just transition.”

Existing Homes Alliance Open Letter to First Minister

An open letter organised by Existing Homes Alliance (EHA), an alliance of housing and environmental organisations and businesses has been sent to Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousef.

The letter is intended to show the range of businesses that support policies for improved energy efficiency and cleaner heating. EHA’s business supporters have signed it, as well as other businesses across the heating and energy efficiency industries. Organisations’ names and logos, including the Energy Agency, appear on the letter.

By signing the letter we are calling on the Scottish Government to deliver on its promise to consult on new mandatory standards and find a place for a ‘Heat in Buildings Bill’ within the next year.

The full press release from Existing Homes Alliance can be found on their website here

The open letter to the First Minister can be accessed here:

Open letter to First Minister October 23