News archive - Week ending 9th November 2007

Climate Change Database

The Scottish Government has launched a database to help councils co-ordinate their efforts to reduce emissions and combat climate change. The Climate Change Tools Database forms part of a range of initiatives introduced in support of Scotland's Climate Change Declaration. Other plans include the creation of local climate impacts profiles, which will allow communities to understand the opportunities and risks arising from a changing climate, and the publication of a document which will outline how councils can be supported in contributing to the Scottish Government's sustainable development and climate change objectives.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney, said, "Local authorities have a critical contribution to make if Scotland is going to take a global lead in the fight against climate change. With support from the Sustainable Scotland Network and others, councils have already made significant strides in addressing climate change. Moving forward, councils have a key contribution to make in delivering the ambitious targets in our proposed Climate Change Bill. They will be the front line in safeguarding communities from the unavoidable impacts of a changing climate. The climate change tools database will guide councils to the right solution to tackle climate change based on their needs, using a comprehensive list of mitigation and adaptation tools and programmes."

Recycling Target Within Reach

Scotland is very close to its 2008 target on recycling more than a year ahead of schedule. New figures show that in the 12 months up to June this year, the recycling rate was 29.8 per cent, just short of the 30 per cent target set for the end of 2008. In fact the most recent figure, for the quarter April-June 2007, was 33.4 per cent. Clackmannanshire had the highest figure of 43.6%.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead said, "It was only September when I was delighted to announce that by the end of 2006, Scotland was recycling and composting more than 25 per cent of its municipal waste. Now, mere weeks later, I have again been presented with good news. The target of 30 per cent does not take effect until the end of next year, but we are well on course to smash it.? Current recycling and composting targets are 30 per cent by 2008 and 55 per cent by 2020.

The benchmark for the target will be year-on-year figures. While figures for this quarter Q1 2007-08 average 33.4 per cent, a true reflection of overall performance can only be gauged from a full year's figures. It should be noted that recycling rates tend to be higher during summer months when there is more garden waste collected

Household Waste Workshops

Community groups in Glasgow are being offered free workshops to help people reduce their household waste. Friends of the Earth Scotland's Communities Reducing Excess Waste project has recruited local people who are among 34 volunteers trained to assist those who want to help reduce Scotland's waste.

The Crew will deliver free waste workshops for groups of people concerned about the problem. They can be groups of friends, work colleagues or any sort of organisation such as community councils, rotary clubs, religious groups and student groups. The workshops focus on simple, practical, fun and innovative ways to reduce waste and people will be shown how to become smart shoppers.