Nearly 30 projects have been launched throughout South Lanarkshire to address climate change thanks to council funds.
At the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee on Wednesday, September 3, councillors were updated on the success of the local authority's Climate Emergency Fund which has helped to start up 28 schemes which involve sustainability and tackling the climate crisis.
Projects included ten development fund projects, nine match fund projects and nine pilot projects.
Through the projects financed by the Climate Emergency Fund, six active travel projects have been funded, 13 feasibility studies have been completed, four biodiversity and nature restoration projects have been created, three education and training projects were launched, three air quality projects have been match-funded and two recycling and waste projects have been carried out.
The council announced the Climate Emergency Fund in 2021 with the aims of facilitating new projects which aligned with the local authority's climate change, sustainability and climate adaptation objectives.
Projects were required to address themes such as improving air quality, increasing climate resilience, increasing active travel opportunities, enhancing urban greenspace, improving outdoor access, improving energy efficiency and reducing waste.
Councillors on the committee praised the work that has been carried out thanks to the funding.
Councillor John Ross (Hamilton South), said: "I would really like to welcome this report. Thanks to the officers very much for the input here, when you read through the report it is really valuable that we actually put away this emergency climate fund when we did because the things that we have managed to do with this £2m is really impressive."
Councillor Kirsten Robb (East Kilbride East) also welcomed the projects, and said: "Thank you everyone for the work on this and for putting the money in place. Just to highlight, there is a whole range of organisations who have benefited including help for the council to do all those important studies to bring in more match-funding further down the line, so it's great to see the range and great to see all the co-benefit that climate action brings to people's health and well-being and reducing poverty as well as creating jobs in the green economy as well."
Councillor Bert Thomson ( Blantyre) praised the work and asked if there would be more done to encourage young people to get involved with climate action.
He said: "I've found being a councillor, it's the same groups and same people; how in particular can we get young people more involved and get a bit of diversity and to encourage people to take part, what are we doing to publicise things?"
Council officers revealed that work is taking place in schools to try to get young people on board, this includes highlighting opportunities and initiatives.
Grants have also been allocated to community projects which contribute to the council's climate objectives.
A total of 118 grants have been awarded to engage and empower communities to act and provide solutions,
Those funded include 90 community groups and partner organisations, 30 schools and nursery gardens, 18 community growing projects, 15 cycling and cycle maintenance projects, nine groups have installed solar photovoltaic panels, five grants have supported recycling or circular economy projects and two bee-keeping projects have been funded.