Stevenson applauds community action

Minister highlights local efforts to tackle climate change on Moray visit

An historic woolmill, allotments and a community centre will be visited by Scotland’s Climate Change Minister tomorrow (Thursday, July 22).

Stewart Stevenson will be in Moray to see how local people are playing their part in tackling climate change through initiatives backed by Scotland’s £27.4 million Climate Challenge Fund.

His first visit is to the Knockando Woolmill at Aberlour. The mill has received £9,122 from the Climate Challenge Fund towards the use of wool insulation to reduce emissions and a further £96,000 from the Scottish Government-funded Community and Renewable Energy Scheme to install an efficient wood pellet heating system.

The Minister then visits the Glamourhaugh Community Allotments to see how the Huntly Rotary Club project, supported by climate challenge funding of £9,820, is progressing.

Mr Stevenson later travels to Findhorn Ecovillage to learn how £241,450 from the Climate Challenge Fund is being used by The Park Ecovillage Trust to develop a "hands on" sustainability education package for schools that will prepare students to take action to reduce their carbon footprints. He will inspect "eco-kits", including renewable energy generating photo-voltaic cells, small wind generators and solar-thermal panels which will be used in school learning projects to power a water purification system.

Mr Stevenson said:

"The Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) has captured the imagination of communities all over Scotland and demonstrated nation-wide commitment to reducing carbon footprint.

“I am delighted to be visiting Moray to see for myself how local initiatives are empowering communities to play their part in tackling carbon emissions.

“From the historic Knockando Woolmill and Glamourhaugh Community Allotments to the Findhorn Foundation Community Centre, the people of Moray are at the forefront in championing local efforts to create a greener and increasingly sustainable Scotland.”

Details of visits – Thursday, July 22

Venue: Knockando Woolmill, Aberlour, Moray, AB38 7RP
Time: 9.30 am

Venue: Glamourhaugh Community Allotments, Gladstone Road, Huntly, AB54 8EX
Time: 1.30pm

Venue: Findhorn Foundation Community Centre, IV36 3TZ
Time: 3.30pm