Funding boost for carbon cutting efforts in St Andrews
A groundswell of activity, led by the University of St Andrews and community partners, to make St Andrews a greener, more environmentally conscious place has received a major funding boost; with the announcement of £148,000 Climate Challenge Funding by the Scottish Government.
The funding will support a new scheme, St Andrews Towards Transition, aiming to save 300 tonnes Co2 a year through six interlinked projects. This includes a “grow your own” food co-op, neighbourhood based energy advice sessions, a home energy advice scheme targeting rural households, and a town wide bike maintenance and rental program.
This project is among 21 to share nearly £2 million being distributed in the latest round of Climate Challenge Fund awards.
Local residents, University staff and students worked together to deliver the bid, building on efforts over the last 3 years to target issues around home energy, local food and waste whilst building peoples skills through running courses on low carbon living and developing a local trading system.
The successful bid was led by local community groups Transition University of St Andrews, part of the UK-based Transition initiative, and the St Andrews Environment Network (STANDEN), a community led energy saving project.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Paul Wheelhouse said:
“Climate change is one of the most significant issues facing the global community, requiring urgent attention at local, national and international level. I am delighted that the people of St Andrews have elected to take voluntary action to address the impacts and causes of climate change within their local area. This demonstrates a strength and commitment to tackle climate change, because it is real and because it matters to ordinary people.
“My congratulations go to those involved with St Andrews Towards Transition, who are among the latest recipients of Climate Challenge funding and I look forward to seeing the undoubtedly positive impact this project has in the community.”
Transition University of St Andrews steering group member, and Bike Pool leader, Katherine Ellsworth-Krebs said:
“Since the summer of 2012 we have been working to start a bicycle long-term rental scheme which aims to encourage residents to look after their bikes and to reduce the number of abandoned bicycles in St Andrews. We are ecstatic that our long-discussed idea will soon become a reality and more generally that there will be increased opportunities for anyone to learn bicycle maintenance skills in St Andrews.”
With projects starting in April 2015 both groups are inviting students staff and local residents to get in touch if they would like to be involved and help make St Andrews Transition to a greener future. Contact: [email protected] .
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NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS
The Climate Challenge Fund was set up in 2008 to encourage community action on emissions. To find out more go to: http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/sustainability-climate-change/climate-challenge-fund/
Transition University St Andrews is a group of local residents, University Staff and Students who undertake practical local projects that aim to reduce carbon emissions in the face of climate change. It one of over 500 local groups that make up the international Transition Towns movement. For more information go to: www.transtionsta.org.uk
STANDEN is a community organisation set up by the Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council, ns supported by Fife Council, St. Andrews University that provides free professional advice on home energy. Find out more at: www.standrewsenvironmental.org
Issued by the University of St Andrews Communications Office, contactable on [email protected] or on 01334 462108.
Category Community