Ricardo supports climate action on Scottish islands

A report detailing climate action on Scottish islands has been produced by Ricardo on behalf of the ClimateXChange. The report – available here – is being used by the Scottish Government to inform the implementation of the Carbon Neutral Islands (CNI) project, which aims to support six Scottish islands to become carbon neutral by 2040.

The report assesses climate action on Scottish islands, by:

• Identifying and understanding existing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission accounting exercises on Scottish islands.
• Reviewing past and existing GHG emissions projects on islands (in Scotland and elsewhere).
• Reviewing existing UK and Scottish Government related funding for climate action on Scottish islands.

The report, and the accompanying databases, can be used by the Scottish Government in implementing the CNI project, but also by island local authorities and communities as they chart a course, and take actions, towards net zero. For example, it can inform approaches to ensure consistency in island-level GHG assessments and support carbon audits across the islands that are planned as part of the CNI project. It can also support island local authorities and communities to consider possible options for delivering net zero that are tailored to their own circumstances, needs and priorities and to get a practical overview of options for funding climate action.

Project Director, James Harries, commented “It was great to be involved in this work and to help shape the Scottish Government’s Carbon Neutral Islands project. Our work on Scottish islands has shown that whilst they are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, they are also blessed with huge creativity, resilience, innovation and energy that can be harnessed to support the transition to net zero”.

This project drew on Ricardo’s experience supporting many island communities across the world. Ricardo have worked on projects including the Pacific islands, Caribbean islands, Bermuda and many British Overseas Territories to support initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and integrate more renewables into island energy systems. This project builds on work Ricardo has done for Scottish islands previously, including developing a net zero routemap for the Shetland Islands involving delivery of several community engagement workshops on climate change, and due diligence and feasibility studies for renewable energy systems in islands such as Islay, Iona and Orkney.

The six islands being supported under the Carbon Neutral Islands project are Hoy, Islay, Great Cumbrae, Raasay, Barra and Yell. For more information on the Carbon Neutral Islands project, visit the Scottish Government website: www.gov.scot/news/zero-carbon-islands.

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