Category Archives: News

IF – Enough Food For Everyone

The IF campaign has now been launched. The campaign focuses on measures such as upholding the pledge to spend 0.7% of national income on aid; and for the UK to use its presidency of the G8 this year to tackle tax dodging.

If you would like to add your support you can do so on their website. The online sign-up is located here.

Eco-Congregation Scotland is proud to support the IF campaign along with organisations such as the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Church of Scotland, the United Reformed Church, the Methodist Church, the Salvation Army and the Church of England.

1st Eco-Congregation Award to St Mary’s Parish Church, Kirkintilloch

St Mary’s Parish Church, Kirkintilloch has received their first Eco-Congregation Award. Congratulations!

Principally the award was awarded for:

  • Gardening activities, especially growing food and he many successful recycling schemes including warm clothes for asylum seekers
  • Careful monitoring of building heating/energy use and thus carbon footprint and a  successful car use reduction campaign
  • Work with fair trade and developing countries and the involvement of many different groups in the church covering all ages

Photo of congregation borrowed from: http://www.stmaryskirkintilloch.org.uk/gallery.php?i=5

Well done!

Climate Challenge Fund grants; £10.3 million available per year until March 2015.

What type of project would help your community?

Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) grants up to £150,000/yr from the Scottish Government could provide funds and support for your Community Group to reduce their community’s carbon footprint, save money and improve facilities.
CCF grants have funded community owned buildings to install energy efficient measures and community group projects to provide local energy efficiency advice. They have also funded community growing spaces and local projects to help people move away from their cars towards lower carbon transport alternatives. There is also additional support for disadvantaged, black and minority ethnic communities and young people in developing their CCF application through new £750 Development Grants.

Innovative applications for funding are encouraged, but to be eligible for CCF grants community groups must be community-led, operate on a not-for-profit basis, prove they can achieve measurable cuts in their carbon footprint within their neighbourhood and leave a sustainable legacy in the community.

From initial ideas to project implementation, groups applying for CCF funding can count on support from Keep Scotland Beautiful, who manage the fund on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Applications are invited for presentation to the CCF Grant Panel in June and September 2013; full information on the application process and deadlines can be found on the CCF website.

For information or to apply for a grant please see www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/ccf call a Development Officer on 01786 468 779 or email ccfenquiries@ksbscotland.org.uk

 A leaflet can be downloaded here (PDF file).

 

 

Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for Environment & Climate Change visits Carlops Eco-Congregation

On Thursday 17th January, Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Environment and Climate Change, visited Carlops church to present an Eco-Congregation Scotland award to the congregation.

Paul Wheelhouse MSP and Nan Buchan

After speaking with members of the award winning Carlops Church plus representatives from other inspiring local Eco-Congregations Mr Wheelhouse, said, “As recent weather events have shown, climate change is becoming an ever more urgent issue. We all need to take action if we are to tackle climate change and move to a low carbon, more sustainable Scotland. And that’s exactly what our Eco-Congregations are doing – I was delighted to present Carlops Church with their 3 rd Eco-Award – this is an amazing achievement and well deserved recognition of all their hard work in helping to protect the environment.”

Carlops Church won a third award for its environmental work. The church won the independently assessed award for three core reasons.

  • Firstly, it has developed strong relationships with people living in the parish, both church members and is an outstanding example of community engagement. An example of the strong links was demonstrated through the Carlops Kitchen project raising money for Mary’s Meals.
  • Secondly, the support that Carlops church has shown for other churches by leading the Esk and Tweed network and by supporting national events was a crucial requirement for the third award and members had clearly made an impressive contribution.
  • Finally, the group’s passion for the work has been matched by a thoughtful and considered approach. This combination has led to effective action and is a model of good practice for other congregations to follow.

Award assessors, Adrian Shaw, Climate Change Officer at The Church of Scotland and Alison Boyes, of Dunscore Parish Church and a Director of Eco-Congregation Scotland, commented,

“When awarding the prestigious Eco-Congregation Scotland award, it is normal for assessors to suggest new ideas for congregations at assessment meetings but in this case we were moved to just say ‘Keep calm and carry on’ such was the professionalism and passion of the work we found at Carlops.”

Eco-Congregation Scotland is an ecumenical charity, which helps congregations link environmental issues to their faith and to take action in their church and local community. There are nearly 300 Eco-Congregations in Scotland. In addition to providing support and advice on environmental issues and providing an environmental audit of the church, Eco-Congregation Scotland offers a programme to enthuse and equip churches to weave environmental issues into their life and mission in an enjoyable and stimulating way.

Plan now for Earth Hour 23rd March 2013

[This is an archived news story. For up to date information on Earth Hour please click here.]

WWF have produced a useful Earth Hour Guide specifically for Eco-Congregations. You can download the 8-page Guide by clicking on the following link: Earth Hour Guide for Eco-Congregations.

This year’s Earth Hour is celebrating the power of nature – the way renewable energy can move us away from fossil fuels and help reduce global carbon emissions. This is especially important in Scotland with our wealth of wind, tide and waves.

Your congregation can play a vital role in reducing carbon emissions, increasing sustainability and engaging with your community.

Switch Off

Register your involvement online at www.wwf.org.uk/ehsignup and turn off the lights in your own home for one hour on 23 March 2013 at 8.30pm. Encourage friends, family and colleagues to get involved too.

Take Part

• Hold a candlelit service for Earth Hour (see page 6 for further details)
• Arrange for any lights in or on your church to switch off for Earth Hour
• Host a candlelit dinner party and make use of our handy dinner party guide
• Run an Earth Hour event such as a cake bake off, an Earth Hour quiz or a ‘wear it bright’ night, by digging out your brightest and most colourful clothes
• Plan a torchlight wildlife or stargazing walk to make the most of the hour of darkness

Engage

• Encouraging local community groups and other organisations to register and get involved
• Talking to local businesses and organisations to get the lights switched off on iconic or important buildings/structures in your area
• Make use of notice boards, newsletters and websites to engage members of the public and highlight your own support