Climate Change MSP Turns The Heat On Carbon Conscious North Edinburgh
New initiatives and new jobs brings the capital’s community development trust to the attention of Holyrood’s environmentally aware member for the Lothians.
MSP Shirley-Ann Somerville, a member of the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee, is visiting North Edinburgh on Monday (18 January, 2pm). She’ll be seeing work in progress, and hearing about new jobs, created locally, to help North Edinburgh meet carbon emissions targets.
The Lothians member is a guest of social enterprise charity, the North Edinburgh Trust, and she’ll be seeing some of the pioneering work to help families cut their fuel bills; make life more comfortable and healthier; and play their part in helping reduce carbon emissions. The Trust is also eager to appoint a team of Energy Advisors, drawn from the local community, to help individuals and families gain the most from these environmental initiatives.
The North Edinburgh Trust has been instrumental in bringing Climate Challenge Fund resources to the area, where many family homes are in the front line for improved insulation and fuel efficiency. Chief Executive, Jackie McKenna, will be telling Shirley-Ann Somerville that, even in the face of tightened budgets, they plan to bring significant savings for families and the environment, and brand new green jobs to the area.
“Every household in North Edinburgh could help cut carbon emissions, and make real savings for families at the same time”, she said. “We need to get that message out to everyone, and that’s what the Energy Advisor team will help us do.
“The North Edinburgh Trust’s own research has shown that households in the area can benefit from energy use reductions of up to almost half, and make huge savings on their costs, banishing for many the threat of fuel poverty”.
Jackie McKenna
Jackie McKenna will be showing her guest that making North Edinburgh more carbon efficient is a big task, but the potential benefits to the environment, lifestyle, and the economy represent an even bigger dividend.
Shirley-Anne Somerville said she was looking forward to seeing the work being done by North Edinburgh Trust to tackle climate change. “Scotland has set some very ambitious targets for cutting carbon emissions, and only if communities get involved will these targets be reached. It’s great to see that the Scottish Government’s ‘Climate Challenge Fund’ is being put to such good use. It’s also very positive that the Trust sees climate change not only as a challenge but also as an opportunity for the community – looking to create jobs, reduce energy bills for local people and help keep them warm in winter.”
With success already in bringing greater community involvement in decision making, and raising training and education opportunities, North Edinburgh Trust is confident that tackling climate change can be a positive opportunity to develop assets for the community.
