Two new towns join Climate Action Towns Project   

(November 2022) Drongan, Rankinston and Stair (DRS) in East Ayrshire and Benarty communities (Ballingry, Crosshill, Lochore and Glencraig), Fife, have been selected to join the Climate Action Town project. The initiative is a Scottish Government funded project delivered by Architecture and Design Scotland, Scotland’s design agency, and is aimed at supporting towns to tackle the impact of the climate emergency.

The Climate Action Towns project works with local people and organisations in small towns across Scotland to empower and support communities to take place-based climate action. They will do this in a way that takes account of the unique challenges and opportunities each town faces.  

Just Transition Minister Richard Lochhead said:

“It is great to see two more towns joining the Climate Action Towns programme. The climate crisis is a global challenge, but we all have a role to play in tackling it, and many of the solutions will be local.

“This project will give local communities a voice in shaping how they respond to climate change. By empowering them to identify local solutions, they can help tackle and adapt to the impact of our changing climate. It will also help to engage people that have not previously been involved in climate action."

Jim MacDonald, Chief Executive of A&DS said:   
  
“The climate emergency demands urgent action from us all. For Scotland to adapt to the impacts of climate change, we are all going to need to work together to adapt the ways we live, work, play and move in our cities, towns and villages. Considering that half of Scotland’s population live in towns, it is vital towns are a key focus in the fight against climate change.”  

Councillor Graham Barton, East Ayrshire Council’s Spokesperson for Children and Young People, Net Zero, Environment, Climate Change and Equalities and Inclusion said: 

“I am delighted that Drongan has been selected as a Climate Action Town. The support that the local community will receive will dovetail well with local initiatives and support the inclusion of climate action that is co-designed with community groups within the context of the new Community Lead Action Plan for Drongan, Rankinston and Stair. Linking with CoRE and through the 9CC’s initiative, there is also a tremendous opportunity to think big and develop local green energy solutions to tackle fuel poverty.”

Councillor Jan Wincott, Fife Council’s Spokesperson for Environment and Climate Change, said:

“Community climate actions are essential to tackle the climate emergency and to make better places to live and work in Fife. The addition of Benarty as a Climate Action Town will help to integrate climate actions into the busy and challenging efforts to tackle the cost of living crisis and to create more local opportunities for Benarty, and across Fife. Direct engagement with communities will help their priorities to be delivered, tackling climate change in the way that works best for that community. I welcome Architecture and Design Scotland’s support of climate action in Benarty and look forward to learning how the Benarty community focus on progressing. 

About the Climate Action Towns project 

The Climate Action Towns Project started with seven towns across Scotland and received additional funding in 2022 to add further locations to the project. You can read more about Climate Actions Towns  here. 

For further information please contact press@ads.org.uk 

Headline image: Richard Carman (cropped)