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SSN Newsletter

This month we announced the return of SSN’s Annual Conference on public sector climate action. This year's Conference will address the key challenges and opportunities facing the public sector as we move from ambition into action on climate change, resilience and sustainability.

Taking place online on Wednesday 22nd May 2024, 09:00 - 14:45, the Conference will welcome public sector colleagues, SSN members, and industry professionals to one of Scotland’s major public sector climate change events.

The Conference will present insights and initiatives designed to shift the dial on climate and sustainability action. It will draw on the work of SSN members and bring together leading advocates for transformational change within and across the public sector.

The event will focus on progressing integrated approaches designed to deliver multiple national performance outcomes across climate, wellbeing, nature, health, sustainability and prosperity.

Máiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy, Scottish Government will open the event, alongside Cllr Gail Macgregor, Environment and Economy Spokesperson, COSLA. We will also be joined by speakers who will share their own insights and lived experience of delivering place-based partnerships, and the event will also feature sessions on taking a holistic approach to mitigation, adaptation, resilience and well-being.

This is a key event for anyone working on climate change and sustainability in, or with, the public sector. The conference audience will include leaders, policy makers and practitioners from across the Scottish public sector, including local authorities, NHS Boards, universities and colleges and the wide array of national and regional public bodies that are all actively involved in SSN.

SSN Survey

Help shape the future of SSN

We would be delighted to hear from all SSN members about your engagement with the network in terms of how effective our communication channels are, the usefulness of our services and how we can best support your work. It’s an opportunity to help shape the future of SSN and all responses will be reviewed by the Steering Group.

To help us, please complete a short survey (5-10 minutes) - https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/edinburgh/ssn-member-survey

Share your views!

Scottish Fiscal Commission

Fiscal Sustainability Perspectives: Climate Change

Scottish Fiscal Commission has published a report this month, exploring how climate change could affect the Scottish Government's fiscal sustainability. It considers the potential effects on Scottish public finances from damage created by climate change; the costs of adapting to a changing environment and taking action to meet Scotland’s statutory emissions targets to reach net-zero by 2045.

Read the full report here.

CCC Progress Report

CCC report warns Scotland's 2030 climate goals are no longer credible

Earlier this month, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) published its latest Report to Parliament on the Progress in reducing emissions in Scotland.

The report monitors Scotland's progress in reducing emissions and assesses the policies in place for delivering future emissions reductions.

In this report, the CCC warns that the Scottish Government is failing to meet Scotland's climate ambitions and the 2030 climate goals are 'no longer credible'. The report also sets out priority recommendations to the Scottish Government that focus on the key actions needed to turn Scotland's ambitous targets into effective delivery and achieve the required levels of emissions reduction at the earliest date possible.

Professor Piers Forster, interim Chair of the Climate Change Committee:

“Scotland has laudable ambitions to decarbonise, but it isn’t enough to set a target; the Government must act. There are risks in all reviewed areas, including those with significant policy powers devolved to the Scottish Government.

“Scotland’s Climate Change Plan needs to be published urgently, so we can assess it. We need to see actions that will deliver on its future targets.”

Read the full report here.

Adapting to Climate Change

Scottish Water Climate Change Adaptation Plan

Scottish Water has published its Climate Change Adaptation Plan setting out its plans to tackle the impact of climate change to protect water and waste water services and the need to work in partnership to achieve this.

The plan warns of the extreme reality of failing to adapt and the need to accelerate action to protect the assets that serve Scotland. It focuses on key areas which are likely to face further disruption unless we act, describing the consequences on water supplies, water quality, sewer systems, infrastructure and the environment without adaptation.

"Climate change adaptation is not something we can choose to do; it is something we must do. This plan sets out the steps that Scottish Water will take by itself, but also, critically, what we must do in partnership with others, including our customers, if we are to effectively and efficiently ensure the reliability, resilience and sustainability of our public water and waste water services for customers now and in the years ahead.” - Alex Plant, CEO, Scottish Water

Read the full report here.

Reports & News

Independent Assessment of the Third National Adaptation Programme
This report provides the Climate Change Committee’s initial assessment of the Third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3), the government’s programme to ensure the country is resilient to the impacts of climate change, which was published in July 2023. Read the full report here.

£21m boost for more hydrogen production projects in the UK
Low carbon hydrogen will get a further boost with over £21 million of government support for 7 projects to make green fuel, powering up local transport and businesses from Suffolk to Shetland. Find out more about the project here.

Scotland's recycling rate hits all-time high
The Scottish recycling rate reaches all time high as Scottish households, businesses and public services recycle 62.3% of all waste in the latest data (2022) from Scotland’s environmental watchdog, SEPA. Read full publication.

Consultations

National Good Food Nation Plan
The Scottish Government is asking for views on the national Good Food Nation Plan. This Plan is the first of many steps to progress food system transformation in Scotland. This consultation covers the content of the first national Good Food Nation Plan and asks your views on the national Good Food Nation Outcomes; ways of measuring progress; and how different groups envision life in a Good Food Nation. Deadline for responses is 22 April 2024. Read the full consultation.

Climate change - draft Scottish National Adaptation Plan 3
This consultation seeks views on the Scottish Government's draft plan for adapting to climate change (Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-29). Deadline for responses is 24 April 2024. Read the full consultation.

Draft Bioenergy Policy Statement
Views are being sought on proposals for the sustainable use of bioenergy, including growing crops which can be converted into electricity, heat and fuels. A new strategy sets out how bioenergy can be used to reduce emissions, and proposes using some agricultural land. Deadline for responses is 12 June 2024. Read the full consultation.

Opportunities

TRAINING | Climate and Carbon Literacy: Learn how to reduce your carbon footprint at work and home
Fully funded places are available to attend the University of Glasgow's upskilling climate course. The online course is designed to provide the sustainability skills and understanding required in today's workplace as we face the challenge of creating a low carbon, sustainable future to tackle the climate emergency. More information is available here.

JOB VACANCY | District Heating Network Lead
West Dunbartonshire Council is looking for a District Heating Network Lead to join the Council’s Climate Change and Energy team within the Economic Development Service. The District Heating Network Lead will play an important role in this team and with a suitably qualified background in energy and operational management, will take a lead role in managing and developing our District Heating Network. Apply by 7 April.

FUNDING | Salix public sector funding schemes in Scotland
Salix Finance currently have two funds open. Public sector organisations can apply for The Scotland Recycling Fund and Scottish Public Sector Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme. To find out more information here.

Events

Inverness local assembly for creative climate action - 13 April, Inverness

Creative Carbon Scotland is working with cultural and sustainability organisations and networks across Scotland to deliver a series of local assemblies for creative climate action. At the Inverness assembly, Creative Carbon Scotland is working with Eden Court, Highland Adapts and The Highlands and Islands Climate Hub to focus on how artists, cultural, community organisations and climate organisations can collaborate to enable climate action with an emphasis on climate adaptation and creativity locally. Find out more.

All-Energy Conference - 15-16 May, Glasgow

All-Energy is the UK’s largest low carbon energy and full supply chain renewables event; while the co-located Dcarbonise is aimed at private and public sector energy end users. Find out more.

SSN Conference - 22 May, Online

This year's Conference, Climate Change, Sustainability and the Public Sector: From Ambition to Action, will address the key challenges and opportunities facing the public sector as we move from ambition into action on climate change, resilience and sustainability. Find out more.

SSN Local Authority Forum - 12 June, Online

The Local Authority Forum (LAF) provides a space for Local Authority members to network, discuss common challenges, share learning and identify options for addressing knowledge gaps. You can also hear news and developments from a range of partners and leaders. If you would like to join the LAF, please contact ssn@ed.ac.uk.

EAUC Scotland Conference - 13 November, Edinburgh

Save the Date for the EAUC Scotland Conference. The 2024 event will take place on 13th November at the John McIntyre Conference Centre, University of Edinburgh. Further information will be shared soon.