Community buildings across the Glenkens have made significant strides in improving energy efficiency and reducing their carbon footprint over the last few years.

Roland Chaplain reports on the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference and examines the changes needed to combat the climate crisis.

At COP29, the UN climate summit taking place from 11th November to 22nd November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the main issue for discussion will be finance to allow poorer countries to not only cope with climate change but also to transition to cleaner energy and cut their carbon emissions.

Hyper-local online community news collaborative The Scottish Beacon - of which the Glenkens Gazette is a member - believes in the power of community-driven solutions and aims to amplify these stories to show that a greener, fairer Scotland is possible – and already taking shape.

In August Dumfries & Galloway Climate Hub will put on 2 free workshops called Letter Writing for Political Engagement, facilitated by author and environmental scientist Sandy Winterbottom who represents paperboats.org, a Scotland-based collective of writers focussed on nature and environment in a time of climate and ecological breakdown.

The second round of the Hub’s Seed Fund is now open to support community climate action in Dumfries & Galloway with grants worth up to £1000.

Volunteers are sought to come and try their hand at tree planting, and can hear more about plans on the site. Tree Planting will be between 11am-3pm on Saturday 15th June, with light lunch provided for those on site at lunchtime!

The Scottish Government has announced a £5.5 million funding package for communities to improve resilience in the face of climate change, with £200,000 allocated to the D&G Climate Hub.

The new D&G Climate Hub has been off to a busy start since its November 2023 launch. This is a Scottish Government funded initiative hosted by the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere. Climate officer Sarah Thomas is covering Wigtownshire and Stewartry supporting community climate action, while Annandale & Eskdale and Nithsdale is covered by climate officer Steven Clark.

The D&G Climate Hub has two exciting training and mentorship positions available, working with local film-maker and artist John Wallace.