by Anne MacLennan Data Centres are necessary for current and planned future lifestyles. They enable cloud storage, internet searches, video screening, social media, artificial intelligence training and activity, and so much more. But when is enough enough,...
Decision due on Rosebank and Jackdaw fossil fuel fields
Prime Minister Andy Burnham could be about to approve the Rosebank and Jackdaw fossil fuel fields, despite Labour’s promise to end new oil and gas licences. The argument that approving Rosebank and Jackdaw would reduce UK bills and improve energy security...
Climate, COP and the budget
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...