Members News
24/01/11 - Podcast: The Spirit Level lecture by Richard Wilkinson
06/12/10 - EAE Get the Green Vibes
16/11/10 - Understanding Scotland's Greenspaces
11/11/10 - Private Sector Landlord Boiler Scrappage Scheme launched
Podcast: The Spirit Level lecture by Richard Wilkinson
Professor Richard Wilkinson, author of "The Spirit Level", speaks to an Edinburgh audience about his research that shows equality is better for everyone.
Friends of the Earth Scotland organised the event with the support of the University of Edinburgh.
Watch the event on YouTube or listen to a podcast. Recorded 16 November 2010 at Edinburgh University Business School.
EAE Get the Green Vibes
EAE Ltd, tourism and arts leaflet marketing specialists, have been presented with one of Scotland’s top environmental awards in a prestigious ceremony in Glasgow.
EAE won the Best Management Award in the Small Business Category of the 2010 Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards. EAE were the only tourism and arts business to be recognised in the 2010 VIBES Awards and this success builds on their achievement of winning the Scottish Thistle Award for Sustainability in October.
Now in its eleventh year, the VIBES Awards recognise and reward the efforts of Scottish businesses to become more efficient and competitive through improving their environmental performance while benefiting their bottom line.
Glen Bennett, Scottsih Green List winner 2010 and Managing Director of EAE said:
“We are delighted to have won this award. It is important that the efforts of companies reducing carbon and creating sustainable employment are recognised and the VIBES Awards are a great way to do this.
“Through our activities and profile our aim is to encourage, inspire and support others in the tourism and arts industries to become more sustainable. This award also highlights the growing importance of a green supply chain.
“EAE aim to be carbon neutral by 2015 and we have implemented a growing number of measures to achieve this. As well as installing our “Windy Boy” wind turbine, we operate an electric delivery van and actively promote recycling and biodiversity. Since 2005 we have reduced the carbon footprint of our headquarters in Loanhead by 60%. The company also provides rural employment throughout Scotland – from Dumfries and Galloway to Orkney and Skye. We are recognised as an important part of the green supply chain to tourism and arts organisations throughout the country.”
Understanding Scotland's Greenspaces
16/11/10
A new research report -
Open space audits and strategies: review of practice in Scotland -
published by greenspace scotland, shows that significant progress has been made across Scotland in analysing and understanding the quantity and quality of local greenspace.
Earlier this year greenspace scotland carried out a review of Scottish planning authorities (32 local authorities and 2 National Park authorities). This sought to capture progress that has been made since Scottish Planning Policy introduced requirements for open space audits and strategies in 2008.
The data and information gathered by authorities is being using to develop local strategies and plans to support the delivery and management, including improving the quality, of local greenspace for communities.
Open space audits and strategies: review of practice in Scotland draws together good practice in open space audit and strategy development. It identifies that at April 2010:
- 85% of Scottish authorities had completed their quantitative audit of open space
- 59% of Scottish authorities had completed their qualitative assessment of open space
- 26% of Scottish authorities had completed their open space strategy, with a further 50% in the process of open space strategy development
Speaking on the launch of the report Julie Procter, Chief Executive of greenspace scotland said:
"This review highlights the commitment of Scottish planning authorities to protecting existing greenspace and ensuring that future greenspace development and management are properly planned to meet local needs. Having an understanding of both the quantity and quality, including community aspirations for greenspace, is key to this. greenspace scotland recognises that this is a challenging process, and would like to congratulate the authorities on what has been achieved to date".
The review is intended to identify and share practice across all stages of the open space audit and strategy process in order to:
- provide support to those currently working through the process
- demonstrate different ideas, approaches and innovation
- assist in the preparation and implementation of future phases of audit and strategy
Linked to the report, greenspace scotland is also hosting a web-based e-resource on open space audits and strategies with findings from the survey, practice examples and download links to electronic copies of completed audits and strategies.
Read more at http://www.greenspacescotland.org.uk/
Private Sector Landlord Boiler Scrappage Scheme launched
11/11/10
The Scottish Government has launched a boiler scrappage scheme for registered private sector landlords in Scotland.
Under the Energy Saving Scotland Private Sector Landlord Boiler Scrappage Scheme, registered private landlords can claim £400 toward the cost of replacing existing inefficient heating systems in each of their qualifying rental properties with new Energy Saving Trust Recommended boilers.
Installing a more efficient boiler can improve a property’s Energy Performance Certificate ratings, and typically could save a tenant in a three-bed semi-detached house around £225 per year.
Speaking at the Scottish Association of Landlords Conference, Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil MSP said,
“With winter setting in it’s a good time to ensure there is a good boiler in a property to keep bills low. This scheme will offset the cost of a new boiler and help landlords make their properties cost-efficient and energy-efficient for tenants.”
Mike Thornton, Director of the Energy Saving Trust in Scotland, said,
“The private rented sector is the tenure with the least energy efficient housing. By replacing an inefficient boiler with an Energy Saving Trust Recommended version, landlords can improve the energy efficiency of their rental properties, which will make them more attractive to tenants.”
Landlords can get full details and apply for the scheme at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/landlordsboilerscrappage. Landlords without internet access can call their local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre on 0800 512 012.
