Islay, Bute and Tarbert and Skipness in Kintyre have all secured funding from the Climate Change Fund for a variety of projects. In congratulating all three successful community bids, Energy Minister and Argyll’s constituency MSP, Jim Mather notes that:

• The Islay Energy Trust has bid successfully for funding of £117,000. This is be used for the Islay Community Carbon Savings Project. The aim here is to raise community awareness of the importance of carbon savings through energy conservation and the expansion of renewable energy technologies. The project’s target is to generate carbon savings of 600 tonnes over two years. The funding will enable the creation of one full time job.
• The Tarbert and Skipness project, awarded £128,605  involves tackling fuel poverty by working towards the installation of a community – owned wind turbine in partnership with Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA). This should have the triple benefit of assisting the reduction of the local carbon footprint, work towards the reduction of local fuel poverty and bring longer term community benefit in the dividend from the earning potential of the installation.
• The Bute project sees Fyne Homes securing an award of £213,000 for their project Towards Zero Carbon Bute. This is aimed at the reduction of carbon emissions over a wide ranging programme of applications.

Mr Mather  points out that the Climate Challenge Fund is specifically designed to support community initiatives that will contribute to positive action in climate change by reducing carbon emissions. The aim of the Fund is encourage people and communities to take steps to help us all to behave differently and to act in a responsible manner. While various options exist to achieve this, community action is likely to be much more effective than individuals working on their own.

As M=Emergy Minister, Mr Mather underlines the Scottish Government’s commitment to the reduction of carbon emissions by a hugely ambitious 80% by 2050. He says: ‘I am aware of an enthusiasm to tackle this challenge and I am pleased to see that these Argyll communities are at the forefront of this by setting a good example to encourage and inspire others to take similar action’.