Bathgate Climate Summit – report now available

Residents and community groups in Bathgate attended a summit to help formulate an action plan for climate change locally. The event took place at Boghall Church Hall on Tuesday, 3 September, where some of Bathgate’s people decided the climate priorities for the town. WLCAN will use the action template for other locations across the region to formulate plans tailored to each area. The short summary report is available here. For the full report please email [email protected]. Keep an eye on our news section and social media for where we’re heading next – or if you would like your town or village to host us to hear residents’ climate concerns, get in touch.

WLCAN is also helping to gather stories to map evidence that shows the impact of climate related events on communities.  We’re collaborating in Climate Ready South East Scotland with the charity Sniffer and five other climate action hubs. Stories are being collected onto a national map – you can add yours here: Climate map.

Eco Development Fund 2 is live!

Can you come up with a project that takes local action for the good of the planet? We’re launching our second Eco Development Fund, aimed at grassroots organisations whose activities help to address climate change in their local area. You must be a member of WLCAN to apply. To join, scan the first QR code to complete the form. The second QR code will open another document containing guidance notes and application form. Deadline for submissions is 29 September at 5pm.

Last year we distributed funding to 17 organisations across West Lothian whose efforts are what local climate action is all about. Examples include community woods volunteers who are improving biodiversity, gardeners who are contributing to local produce and helping to reduce food miles, and repair/reuse workshops whose efforts are reducing waste and promoting the circular economy. Volunteers working to conserve water and promote cleaner rivers also benefited from the fund, as did groups working for their community’s environment and well-being. See the full list of those who received funding and highlights so far of their work here.