Rural and Environment

  • Climate change cabinet, green infrastructure funding and timber transport

    9th August 2019 by

    Climate change-themed travelling cabinet During this week’s travelling cabinet, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has officially opened a new £6 million project which uses cutting-edge renewables technology to harness energy from waste water. Ms Sturgeon launched the Stirling District Heat Network project while visiting the city as part of the 50th Travelling Cabinet. The project, which…

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  • This week: 19/07/19

    19th July 2019 by

    Disposable cups An expert panel in Scotland has issued a report recommending a charge on disposable drinks cups as a method of reducing single cup use. Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “Disposable cups present an obvious littering issue, but there is ever-growing awareness within our society of the impact single-use plastic has on our wider…

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  • This week: 31/5/19

    31st May 2019 by

    Attracting new entrant farmers More public sector land has been released to people who want to become farmers, following a Scottish Government scheme. Around 6,400 hectares of land has been made available from public bodies such as Forestry and Land Scotland, Crown Estate Scotland, Scottish Water, Highland and Islands Enterprise, East Lothian and Highland Councils….

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  • This week: 24/5/19

    23rd May 2019 by

    Croft Housing Grant Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing announced £350,000 under the Croft Housing Grant award to support crofters in remote areas. Oyster Restoration Alliance conference Natural Environment Minister Mairi Gougeon spoke at the Native Oyster Restoration Alliance conference in Edinburgh this week. Delegates from 15 European countries met to develop a blueprint for reef…

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  • This week: 17/05/19

    17th May 2019 by

    Supporting Scotland’s produce Funding has been granted to initiatives across Scotland to help celebrate Scotland’s regional food and drink industries. A total of 23 projects will share £104,500 awarded via the Connect Local Regional Food Fund. Grant recipients include the Annan Harbour Festival, the Glenkens Food Month, and the Skye Food and Drink Festival. Commenting…

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  • This week: 03/05/19

    3rd May 2019 by

    New Climate Change proposals Scotland will go greener, faster under new, tougher climate change proposals. The Scottish Government has lodged amendments to the Climate Change Bill to set a legally binding target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 at the latest. Read more on the latest climate change proposals  South of Scotland Economic Partnership…

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  • This week: 22/03/19

    22nd March 2019 by

    Pinney’s The Pinney’s factory in Annan is set to reopen in Autumn with a new owner, thanks in part to a £1.7 million Regional Selective Assistance grant from Scottish Enterprise.   Read more about Pinney’s Climate Change report Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham talked about the importance of climate change adaptation and how this week’s…

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  • This week: 08/03/19

    8th March 2019 by

    Women in the Rural Economy In the run up to International Women’s Day, the Scottish Government posted a series of blogs looking at the important and diverse role women play in driving and supporting Scotland’s rural economy. The series ended with a post from Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon, on her experience as a woman…

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  • This week: 22/2/19

    22nd February 2019 by

    Scotland’s International Marine Conference Scotland is leading the way in tackling marine litter, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told international delegates attending Scotland’s International Marine Conference in Glasgow this week. The First Minister announced a £175,200 campaign promoting the use of re-usable sanitary products to reduce the more than 100 billion pieces of sanitary waste disposed…

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  • This week: 15/02/19

    15th February 2019 by

    Biodiversity Challenge Fund Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham announces a £2 million Biodiversity Challenge Fund. Funding will be used to create new habitats, and improve existing ones, safeguarding our native species and encouraging more access to nature. Read more Rural Economy Action Group A new group tasked with bringing the rural economy to the forefront of…

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