East Ayrshire Council / Comhairle Shiorrachd Àir an Ear

Climate Change Update - July 2023

East Ayrshire Council sent this bulletin at 31-07-2023 01:35 PM BST

July 2023

Welcome to our Climate Change bulletin!

What have we been up to this month?

During Net Zero Week we were able to attend some insightful webinars on the path to net zero and network with other climate professionals
We conducted some research and generated 31 simple swaps to make taking part in Plastic Free July easier
Despite the unpredictable weather we were able to take part and support in 'Love Parks Week'
One of our graduate interns, Steph, created her final Clean Green Bulletin (this one) as she returns to university for her postgraduate studies next month

Net Zero Housing

East Ayrshire Council’s first net zero housing development at Bellevue Gardens in Bonnyton, Kilmarnock has been completed.

The net zero homes, designed in partnership with CCG and MAST architects, embrace new technology and are the future of house building in Scotland.

CARES Funding

The Community Buildings Fund helps community organisations reduce their building energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions by installing renewable technologies such as heat pumps, batteries, and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, along with energy efficiency measures.

This fund is available until the end of March 2025 - read the guidance and then apply here!

The Council has agreed to encourage uptake of CARES Funding by offering a further 10% on top of the funding available, this would leave only 10% of costs of any adaptations to find.

Financial Support is also available to meet the costs of an Energy Performance Certificate which will identify which green energy adaptations would be eligible for grant support.

Please email James Lally for further details and help with the application.

Plastic Free July

way forward 2045 minimum waste refill cumnock

For Plastic Free July we ran a 'Simple Swaps' campaign on social media to share some of the easiest ways you can reduce the plastics in your home!

Check out our Facebook and Twitter or find a list read our list

Take the Pesky Plastics Quiz

As part of their research into plastic-free alternatives, our graduate interns had the opportunity to visit 'The Way Forward 2045' in Cumnock and found out about engaging with a minimum waste/refill lifestyle.

Thank you for having us!

Cycle to Work Day

How Can I Win?

It’s simple – log a ride on the Cyclescheme Love to Ride community on Cycle to Work Day for your chance to win.

Join Love to Ride – create your free profile.
Sync up – connect an activity app to your account.
Record your ride - log a bike ride on 3rd August and you’ll be entered into our prize draw.

Set a cycling goal, share photos and high-five other riders!

Love Parks Week

Love Parks Week encourages us all to celebrate parks, green spaces, and the dedicated volunteers and workers that look after them all year round. These vibrant, living spaces bring communities together and provide an opportunity to connect with nature in the heart of our cities, towns, and neighbourhoods.

We were delighted to stop by Woodroad Park & Leisure Group's Fun Day Event this weekend and look forward to taking part in Kay Park Play Day this Wednesday (2nd of August) - stop by and grab a copy of our eco cook book!

Reducing Food Waste

Looking for ways to cut back the food waste going into your green caddy?

Try these:

Use meal plans to make sure you only buy what you need; reducing food waste.
Check your fridge temperature - it should be below 5ºC
Regrow food stuffs like little gem lettuce from home. Read how to do it..
Make sure you're portioning correctly.
Build good food habits.

Clean Green Eco Cook Book

If you can't join us for Play Day don't worry!

Download your own free digital eco cook book.

Toodle-oo from me to you

Over the past nine months the Clean Green bulletins have been prepared by one of our graduate interns, Steph. This month Steph accepted an offer to return to her legal studies and whilst we're sad to lose a member of the team, we wish her all the best in her endeavours.

A note from Steph:

"Thank you to everyone who's taken the time to read our wee bulletins; I've loved preparing them and working with colleagues across the Council in my time as an intern. I'm leaving you all in the very capable hands of my 'partner in crime' Natasha (pictured below). Toodle-oo!"