Community Futures Goes Green
Working
together, the communities of Gartmore, Strathfillan, Buchanan,
Kilmaronock, Strachur, Lochgoil, Sandbank and Benmore & Kilmun are planning
to take action to cut their carbon footprint.
With the support of the National Park Community Partnership and
the National Park Authority they have successfully submitted an application to the Climate Challenge
Fund to help them do this.
Working together, these communities from right across the Park will raise awareness of what can be achieved by the smallest of communities. Strathfillan in the northernmost part of
Breadalbane has a population of only 395 (2001 census). The largest of the group is Sandbank in Cowal, with 1000.
Joint working should increase the impact and help galvanise and support the comunities to
reach targets. Each community is also part of the four active area networks: Cowal,
Lomond, Trossachs and Breadalbane so their
experiences will be shared with the wider Park communities.
Project elements include:
- A community-scale, area-based, hands-on approach to energy efficiency measures for households through in-depth doorstep surveys and follow on measures within these eight communities.
- Working with each Community Hall Committee and Community Energy Scotland to audit and implement measures for community buildings that will also reduce their running costs.
- Awareness-raising at community events including ‘The Gathering’ and School energy lessons.
- Celebrating success and sharing experience with other National Park communities.
- An energy monitor library to loan awareness-raising equipment.
- Sharing networking opportunities and investigating feasibility for longer-term projects, such as community-scale renewables like run of river hydro, supporting local businesses with biomass and woodfuel development (particularly in Cowal and Buchanan communities).
- Each community will implement their Community Action Plan priorities contributing to the overall carbon cutting and improvement, particularly in the areas of transport, waste, food production and biodiversity.
Download the Community Futures Goes Green newsletter below:
Issue 1
