Climate Change Committee slams Government over dash for gas

The logo was borrowed from: http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/

The Sustainable Scotland Network reports that:

"An open letter sent to the Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey from the independent Climate Change Committee has warned that Chancellor George Osborne's plans for a surge in new gas investment would breach the Climate Change Act.

The Government recently stated that “it sees gas as continuing to play an important role in the energy mix well into and beyond 2030... restricted to providing back up to renewables”.

Whilst the CCC acknowledges that there is a medium-term need for gas to meet our energy needs, they state categorically that "extensive use of unabated gas-fired capacity (i.e. without carbon capture and storage technology (CCS)) in 2030 and beyond would be incompatible with meeting legislated carbon budgets".

The CCC suggested that an “appropriate approach would be to set a clear carbon objective for the EMR in secondary legislation (to reduce carbon intensity of power generation to around 50 gCO2 / kWh by 2030) as recommended by the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee.”

The letter has the potential to cause a major political row between the Lib Dems and Osborne who has been campaigning for further support for gas investment in the Energy Bill.

Earlier in the summer the Treasury had signalled that if a commitment to shelve the decarbonisation target could be agreed then it would support modest cuts to renewable energy subsidies. However Ed Davey stressed that the debate about the target was still on-going and that the Department of Energy and Climate Change still needed to formally respond to the CCC's recommendations.

With the pressure now mounting on Cameron to adopt the CCC’s recommendations in full and defy critics of the government's green policies, the argument over the target is likely to reach the top of the Government."

Here is a link to the letter: http://hmccc.s3.amazonaws.com/EMR%20letter%20-%20September%2012.pdf

People’s Postcode Lottery Dream Fund (Scotland)

Logo borrowed from: http://www.postcodetrust.org.uk/small-grants-program/how-to-apply.aspx

The People’s Postcode Lottery has announced the launch of its Dream Fund to give organisations the chance to deliver the project they have always dreamed of, but never had the opportunity to bring to life.  Registered charities and community organisations in Scotland can apply for up to £100,000 to deliver a new and innovative 12-month project that encourage active living; bring communities together; tackle climate change; and expand life opportunities.

Previous projects funded include:

·         A grant of £98,100 to produce a London Underground-style map of the 70 miles of off-street cycle ways and paths that reach right into Edinburgh city centre, with the aim of increasing the number of people walking and cycling for commuting and recreation

·         A grant of £65,200 to support a community food growing project. 

The deadline for applications is the 31st October 2012.

You can access the website here.

Next deadline for Climate Challenge Fund applications - 24th October 2012

Logo borrowed from: http://ccf.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/howToApply.aspx

Keep Scotland Beautiful, has announced that the next deadline for applications to the Climate challenge fund is the 24th October 2012. 

T

hrough the Climate Challenge Fund, Communities across Scotland can apply for grants of up to £150,000 per year to help reduce their carbon footprint and become more energy efficient. Nearly £30 million in total will be awarded to communities who come forward with innovative ideas to tackle their carbon emissions.

Previous projects supported in the past have included:

- Barra and Vatersay Community Ltd which received £62,000 over two years to develop their community led action plan for the first practical steps to carbon reduction.

- St Matthew's Primary School Cycle Club (East Dunbartonshire) which received £18,000  to promote cycling to primary children of all ages, their parents and teachers.

Please access their website here.

Win £1,000 for your congregation - deadline 30th September

From the WWF Scotland website http://scotland.wwf.org.uk/how_you_can_help/fundraising/people_s_postcode_lottery2/a_grand_green_idea/:

A Grand Green Idea!

A competition presented by WWF Scotland and People's Postcode Lottery
Do you and your friends have an idea but need some cash to help turn it into a reality? Is your community or group crazy about composting, do you grow your own veg, have you a passion for pedal power? Or does your community or sports hall need a bit of TLC to be more energy efficient?

WWF Scotland and People’s Postcode Lottery could help you if you have A Grand Green Idea. How would your street, team, club, class, congregation or group make use of a grand to help make your idea a reality?

Ideas could cover areas such as energy, transport, food, and waste. For more details see our terms and conditions .

To enter, complete the application form and submit your idea by midnight on 30 September 2012.

Please note that only communities and groups in Scotland are eligible to enter.

Good luck!

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland Mass Lobby 25th October

Nourish 2012 Conference 28th and 29th September 2012

Please click on the images to make them larger.

For more information and to book a place on the conference please access their website.