Dave Thompson MSP

Five communities in Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch have been successful in the Climate Challenge Fund, much to the delight of local MSP, Dave Thompson.

Ross Shire Waste Action Network, Isle of Rum Community, Strathglass & Affric Community Company Ltd, Kirkhill District Amenities Association and Transition Black Isle have received funding awards totalling £472,569.93 (details attached). The purpose of the Climate Challenge Fund is to support communities in taking direct action on climate change by working at a local level to reduce their carbon emissions.

The projects that this money will fund include reducing carbon emissions of Dingwall Academy, making the Isle of Rum a centre for environmental excellence and refurbishing a village hall.  Other projects involve installing energy efficiency measures to buildings and enabling communities adjust to the challenges of scarce energy.

Mr Thompson said, “We are all too aware of the challenges we face in tackling global warming. The Climate Challenge Fund meets these challenges head-on by providing grass-roots funding to groups and organisations who are doing something effective and useful to deal with the effects of global warming.

“The last eight rounds of the Climate Challenge Fund saw 461 individual awards made to 345 Scottish communities – that’s a huge number! It is very encouraging that out of the many applicants to this fund, there were five successful applicants in Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.

“I wish each of the five groups all the best as they employ this money to its best use.”