17
April
2019
Government funding to tackle air pollution ignored by bus companies
Figures published reveal that of the £7.89million made available by the Scottish Government to bus operators to clean up their bus fleet, only £1 million has been spent. Bus companies were allowed to apply for funding to retrofit older buses, to reduce the harmful pollution they emit and protect public health. The fund was exp
26
March
2019
Scottish Government Decision on Fracking Kicked Further Down Road
The Scottish Government has today (26/03/19) announced a further delay in making a final decision on fracking. A final decision had been promised in the first quarter of 2019 [5] but instead the Scottish Government has announced additional consultation, with a final decision 'as soon as possible'. [1] The announcement comes d
24
March
2019
Legal advice says Scottish Government can and should pass law to ban fracking
Friends of the Earth Scotland have today published a legal opinion from one of Scotland's leading advocates that says the Scottish Parliament can pass a law to ban fracking and that doing so would be less likely to result in successful legal challenges from companies with an interest in the industry, than the present policy appr
14
March
2019
Growing public support for safer streets and 20mph limits
Polling released today, carried out on behalf of the Scottish Greens, has revealed that speed limits of 20mph is growing in popularity with the public, from 65% support in 2017 to 72% supportive. A Private Members Bill which would change the default speed limit in urban areas from 30mph to 20mph is currently being scrutinised in
07
March
2019
Parliamentary Committee calls for improvements to Transport Bill
Environmental campaigners have welcomed the publication of a Parliamentary Committee report into the Transport Bill. The report by the Rural Economy and Connectivity (REC) Committee makes recommendations to the government, including support for councils are low emission zones and local authority ownership of buses. The REC Co
07
March
2019
Stirling University to halt investment in fossil fuel polluters
The University of Stirling has become the 9th organisation in Scotland to commit to ending investment in fossil fuel companies. The University said the commitment would “help the University ensure it continues to embed sustainability at the core of its business practices.” The announcement is a victory for Stirling Stu
07
March
2019
Microplastic pollution widespread in British lakes and rivers – new study
New research [1] by Bangor University and Friends of the Earth has found microplastic pollution in some of Britain’s most iconic and remote rivers and lakes. The study, believed to be the first of its kind, looked at ten sites - including waterways in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, lakes in the Lake District,
03
March
2019
Bus companies ignore fund set up to help them reduce air pollution
A special fund set up by the Scottish Government to pay for improvements to buses to reduce air pollution is going unspent, with no major bus company applying since the fund opened last October. The scandal was revealed in The Ferret/ Sunday National today. The fund, which closes on Friday 8th March is worth £7.89 million
27
February
2019
Reaction to Ineos’ fossil-fuelled announcement
Environmental campaigners have reacted to the announcement by petrochemical firm Ineos that they will upgrade the Forties pipeline system which brings in North Sea oil and gas. Ineos claim the pipeline will enable fossil fuels to be brought ashore well into the 2040. The recent UN IPCC climate report stated out that we need t