By Anne MacLennan 2024 was the hottest year on record globally and this summer was the UK's hottest. About 1,500 deaths in just 12 cities during the European heatwave in June-July were attributed to climate change; 171 of those in London. Temperatures and deaths are...
Scottish Government sets new climate budgets
The proposed five-year, statutory limits on emissions from 2026 to 2045 are: 57% lower than 1990 levels for 2026 - 2030 69% lower than 1990 levels for 2031- 2035 80% lower than 1990 levels for 2036 - 2040 94% lower than 1990 levels for 2041 - 2045 The proposed budgets...
Skye wind farms news
A summary of Skye Wind Information Group's June newsletter and other reports. The Highland Council’s objection to the proposals to "Repower and Extend" Ben Aketil Wind Farm triggered a public inquiry which ran from 23 - 27 June in Portree. Nadara, the Italian owners...
Peterhead gas power station & Acorn carbon capture project
Peterhead power station SSE's reassessment of the impacts of its proposed new gas burning power station at Peterhead shows that the project could be almost three times more climate polluting than the company initially disclosed, and would lock Scotland into expensive...
Highlands and Islands news (May)
The Highland Council Climate Change committee At the last meeting on 21 May, members reviewed progress on a feasibility study exploring the development of city-wide heat networks in Inverness. This forms a key part of the legally required Local Heat and Energy...
Highland Council energy project map is now live
Last year, following an intervention by Councillor Helen Crawford, Aird & Loch Ness Ward, more than 60 community councils demanded that Highland Council provide a map of all the renewable energy schemes proposed in the region, so that communities can get an...
Skye wind farms April update
A summary of Skye Windfarm Information Group’s (SWIG) April newsletter. For the full account click here. A Public Inquiry into the proposed Repowering and Extension of Ben Aketil Wind Farm will start 23rd June at the Camanachd Club in Portree, chaired by a Reporter...
Rosebank oilfield was unlawfully approved
Photo: Greenpeace Last month, at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, the UK Government admitted that the country's Rosebank oilfield off Shetland, was approved unlawfully by the previous Conservative administration, because the environmental assessment only considered...
Why Scotland needs a Carbon Emissions Land Tax
Why Scotland needs a Carbon Emissions Land Tax Scotland’s land use sector emits more harmful emissions than its aviation and shipping. But it could be the country’s most powerful tool to reach net zero. John Muir Trust proposes a way to make it...
Proposed Peterhead gas power plant underestimates climate pollution
A report by Carbon Tracker found serious omissions and shortcomings in SSE and Equinor's Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed Peterhead gas power plant with carbon capture. The true climate pollution could be five times greater than disclosed, and could...