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Edinburgh Climate Commission takes shape

Edinburgh City Council and Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI) are progressing plans to establish an Edinburgh Climate Commission at will spearhead the city's medium and longer term response to the climate crisis, with a major conference and youth summit in development for early 2020. 

Now a raft of immediate steps and short term Council actions have been mapped out and approved by Councillors at a special meeting of the Policy and Sustainability Committee last month.

First PCAN Fund winners announced

Five proposals are sharing £105,000 of funding from the first round of the PCAN (Place-Based Climate Action Network) Fund. The winning proposals, which made it through a two-stage selection process involving almost 80 initial bids, include creating guidance for Citizens’ Assemblies on climate change, future-proofing World Heritage Sites from climate impacts, and Climate Emergency Bonds. A project building knowledge and skills for a just transition to a low carbon economy, and another supporting local government officers to implement rapid carbon action have also been funded

The benefits of investing in zero-carbon cities

A new report shows low carbon measures in cities could reduce urban emissions by nearly 90% and support 87 million jobs worldwide by 2030.

The Coalition for Urban Transitions is supported by 50 leading international institutions. Its report, Climate Emergency Urban Opportunity, shows that governments which invest in low carbon cities can enhance economic prosperity, make cities better places to live and rapidly reduce carbon emissions.

UK contribution to social science research on climate change 'significant'

The UK makes a significant contribution to social science research on climate change but important research gaps remain, a comprehensive review of UK-funded research in this area finds. The report, commissioned by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), demonstrates that a remarkable diversity of topics, methods and geographies have been addressed over the past decade, with seven thematic priorities emerging.

Job Opportunity: Research Fellow in Urban Climate Action

Are you an ambitious researcher who wants to play an important role in supporting climate action in UK cities? Do you have a directly relevant background and expertise relating to low carbon and/or climate resilient urban development? Do you have strong organisational skills and experience in working with a range of stakeholders to drive high impact research?  

New funding for local climate change projects announced

Funding of up to £75,000 to support local climate action in the UK has been announced by the Place-Based Climate Action Network (PCAN).

Proposals are invited for the first round of the PCAN Fund, backed by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which will support up to six projects worth £5,000 – £35,000 each, out of a total of £75,000.

Leeds can become a carbon neutral city, according to new roadmap report

Leeds can become a carbon neutral city by 2050 - and could potentially achieve the 2030 target in the climate emergency motion passed by councillors on 27 March - according to a new “carbon roadmap” report published by Leeds Climate Commission.

New £3.5m research network to support UK transition to a low-carbon economy

The Minister for Energy and Clean Growth, Claire Perry, will today (31 January 2019) launch an initiative to create a network of new and extended city climate commissions in Edinburgh, Belfast and Leeds. The project aims to help the UK meet the requirements of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change and the UK Climate Change Act by building local capacities and stimulating the flow of green finance into cities across the UK.

Energy Transition and Climate Resilience Commission to be established for Belfast

Belfast will soon have its own Energy and Climate Commission thanks to a unique, five-year, three-city £3.5 million project.

The Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN) was introduced at a networking event at the Parliament Buildings in Stormont on Tuesday. It will establish Commissions in Belfast and Edinburgh and extend the Leeds Climate Commission, which was the first to be created. The Commissions will help the local delivery of the UK’s climate change objectives by supporting action in cities through a partnership made up of the private, public and civic sectors.