Cabinet Secretary for the Environment Richard Lochhead today launched the Government's £17m Climate Challenge Fund, aimed at giving communities across Scotland an opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint. 

Lochhead said: "Communities have an absolutely crucial role to play in tackling climate change - both locally and globally. We need to put them in charge of their own destinies and release their potential.

"The Scottish Government is committed to delivering a greener Scotland for everyone to enjoy. Both the public and private sectors have a crucial role to play but real and lasting change often starts locally.

"To harness the potential of communities we are working with the Green Party and others to make £17.3m available over the next three years through the Climate Challenge Fund. This will enable them to take a range of actions to reduce significantly their carbon emissions.

"We will open the Fund to applications and outline how communities can apply in the near future. The application process will be kept as simple as possible and support will be provided throughout."

The announcement was welcomed by the Sustainable Development Commission. Director Maf Smith said: "Governments across the world know that climate change is a serious problem. Tackling climate change is an economic necessity - the longer we leave things, the more it will cost our economy.

"The Scottish Government must be commended for their intention to help communities across Scotland reduce their carbon emissions. This fund encourages communities take action at a local level to reduce carbon emission without dictating action.

"There are a handful of communities already driving change in their local areas, for example recently there was media coverage of work by residents in Alyth, but more local action will help point Scotland in the right direction."

Ministers recently unveiled a target of an 80 per cent reduction in emissions by 2050 though a proposed Scottish Climate Change Bill. 

Related news items:

• Action on seasonal workers welcomed
• Action planned on overuse of plastic bags
• Action urged to prevent feathers flying
• Agricultural charity launches awareness campaign
• Agricultural shows get boost