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<title>Sustainable Scotland Network</title>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net</link>
<description>Local Authorities Working Together for a Sustainable Scotland</description>
<language>en-us</language>
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<item>
<title>Falkirk shortlisted for Green Planning Award </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 11:09:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2648</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2648</guid>
<description><![CDATA[An innovative 20-year project which has made a significant contribution to the quality of life and economic development in Falkirk has been shortlisted for a national rural planning award.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Report on Scottish Islands Renewables Project published</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 10:54:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2647</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2647</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The UK and Scottish Governments have published a report which considers the evidence base for developing renewables projects on the Scottish Islands.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>LOWCAP policy recommendations published online</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 10:50:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2646</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2646</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Recommendations from the LOWCAP project have now been published online.  LOWCAP is a partnership of organisations from the UK, Germany, Belgium and Norway working together to deliver a common approach towards carbon reduction and energy efficiency within the North Sea Region. ]]></description>
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<title>Walk to Work Week worked for South Ayrshire!</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 10:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2645</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2645</guid>
<description><![CDATA[They got more exercise, saved money, felt better and helped the environment – just some of the benefits gained by the people who took part in national Walk to Work Week in South Ayrshire. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Opportunities in Woodland Carbon event</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 10:44:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Business</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2644</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2644</guid>
<description><![CDATA[[strong]27 June 2013, Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation, 15 South College St, Edinburgh[/strong]
The purpose of this free event is to increase awareness of the opportunities and benefits that the Woodland Carbon Code offers to landowners, forest investors and purchasers of voluntary carbon credits. The Code provides a standard for woodland creation projects that seek to abate carbon emissions as well as providing wider social and environmental benefits.]]></description>
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<title>UK must cut imported emissions, says Committee on Climate Change</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 15:01:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2641</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2641</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Committee on Climate Change’s recent report on the UK’s carbon footprint identifies a growing need to cut imported emissions as well as those produced in the UK.]]></description>
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<title>Fife Council is supporting Scotland’s 2020 Climate Group by signing up to its Transport Pledge </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 14:53:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2640</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2640</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Fife Council is supporting Scotland’s 2020 Climate Group by taking part in two Transport Pledge initiatives – one to promote public transport and one to increase electric vehicle use. The 2020 Group is calling on Scottish organisations to lead by example by signing up to the pledge, which consists of four projects that cover electric vehicles, virtual meeting technology, public transport and fuel efficient driving.]]></description>
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<title>First national Natural Capital Committee publishes report</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 14:49:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2639</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2639</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Natural Capital Committee, established to give independent advice to the UK Government on the state of England’s natural capital and help incorporate natural capital into the fabric of national and corporate accounting, has published its first annual State of Natural Capital Report.]]></description>
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<title>Energy transition to a sustainable Aberdeen</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 14:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2638</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2638</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A vision for a more sustainable Aberdeen through energy transition was unveiled recently  at an event called ‘Setting the Agenda for Aberdeen's Energy Transition’. The event formed part of the Aberdeen City Council and EU-funded Mitigation in Urban areas: Solutions for Innovative Cities (MUSIC) Project, which aims to halve carbon emissions in Aberdeen and project partner cities Ghent, Ludwigsburg, Montreuil, and Rotterdam by 2030.]]></description>
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<title>2013 SSN Conference plans announced</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 14:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2637</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2637</guid>
<description><![CDATA[This year’s SSN Conference, entitled Win, Win, Win -  How  can the public sector realise the true value of a sustainable Scotland?,  will be held on 7 November 2013 at the COSLA Conference Centre in Edinburgh. Key speakers invited include Paul Wheelhouse, the Scottish Government Minister for Environment and Climate Change, and Cllr Stephen Hagan, Development, Economy & Sustainability Spokesperson for COSLA. 
Remember to save the date!
]]></description>
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<title>Scotland’s future planning system under spotlight</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 7 May 2013 13:57:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2633</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2633</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The consultation process for the future Scottish planning system was launched by the Scottish Government last week. The third National Planning Framework (NPF3) and draft Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) will influence development plans across Scotland and guide future planning decisions on a range of sectors including transport, energy and infrastructure.]]></description>
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<title>Making school uniforms more sustainable</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 7 May 2013 13:51:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2632</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2632</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Two new school uniform initiatives in Scotland look set to help make the world a better place.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>South Lanarkshire first to win bronze for community meals</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 7 May 2013 13:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2631</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2631</guid>
<description><![CDATA[South Lanarkshire Council's community meals service has become the first in the UK to achieve the Soil Association’s Food for Life Catering Mark.]]></description>
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<title>New funding for vulnerable road user's campaign</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 7 May 2013 13:41:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2630</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2630</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A campaign to boost road safety by cutting conflict between cyclists and motorists has been awarded £424,000 by Transport Scotland. Transport Minister Keith Brown announced the additional funding for Cycling Scotland’s Mutual Respect Campaign at the opening of Scotland’s first Rail Cycle Hub at Stirling Railway Station. The campaign will be launched in August to help create a culture of mutual respect between cyclists, pedestrians, motorists and other road users across the country. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Glasgow shortlisted for European Green Capital award</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:27:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2628</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2628</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Glasgow has been shortlisted to be named European Green Capital in 2015. The city is one of just four to have reached the final stage of selection - together with Bristol, Brussels and Ljubljana. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>New website to track daily CO2 levels as planet hits 400 ppm</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:20:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2627</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2627</guid>
<description><![CDATA[As atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide approach hit the milestone of 400 parts per million (ppm), a scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in the United States  has launched a website [a href="http://keelingcurve.ucsd.edu/"]http://keelingcurve.ucsd.edu/[/a]  that will publish daily readings of CO2 concentrations, an online resource he hopes will drive home the urgent threat of rising greenhouse gas emissions. ]]></description>
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<title>Crown Estate launches new wave and tidal knowledge sharing hub</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:13:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2626</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2626</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Crown Estate has launched a new website to support collaboration in the emerging wave and tidal industry. Called the Wave and Tidal Knowledge Network, the website will make it easier for organisations to share information with each other and help deliver industry growth.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Paper recycling initiatives invited to apply for European award</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:11:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2625</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2625</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The European Recovered Paper Council (ERPC) is inviting NGOs, educational institutes, local authorities and industry to apply for the Fourth European Paper Recycling Award to help recognise their efforts in implementing many innovative projects to enhance paper recycling across Europe, and to inspire others to copy good practices. The award will identify projects, initiatives and campaigns that contribute to European sustainability through supporting paper recycling.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>New funding for recycling and food waste behaviour change projects</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:06:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2624</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2624</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Zero Waste Scotland has just opened the application process for the Volunteer and Community Advocate Programme. Successful applicants will be grant funded to deliver community engagements that will change behaviours in targeted areas to deliver both increased household recycling and reduced household food waste. ]]></description>
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<title>New guide showcases fresh approaches to adaptation in Scotland’s public sector </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:51:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2622</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2622</guid>
<description><![CDATA[“Adapting to Climate Change: An introduction for Public Sector policy makers, resource managers and practitioners”, has just been updated by Adaptation Scotland to meet the demand for information about climate change impacts and adaptation. Originally published in 2011, Adaptation Scotland hopes that the updated guide will continue to be used within Scotland’s public sector to raise awareness of the consequences of climate change and extreme weather impacts.]]></description>
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<title>Aberdeenshire Council shortlisted for three transport awards</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:45:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2621</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2621</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Aberdeenshire Council’s transportation service has been shortlisted in three categories for the 2013 Scottish Transport Awards.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Resource Efficient Scotland launched</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:41:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2620</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2620</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A new programme to help the public sector and business to manage energy, water and materials costs was launched last week. Resource Efficient Scotland (RES), managed by Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS), brings together this expertise into a single service for the first time, aiming to make it easier for Scottish organisations and businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to make savings and become more sustainable. 
]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Fife Renewables Innovation Centre officially opened </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:39:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Business</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2619</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2619</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Fife Energy Park’s flagship development, the Fife Renewables Innovation Centre, was officially opened last week by the Rt Hon Edward Davey MP, Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change. The £3m, state of the art facility is a centre of excellence for the renewables sector.
]]></description>
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<item>
<title>New films launched on Earth Day focus on climate change</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:36:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2618</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2618</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Two new films focussing on climate change were launched on Monday – World Earth Day. Thin Ice visited researchers on four continents and the ocean as they studied the changes in the atmosphere, oceans and ice sheets. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>SSN members showcase Scotland’s adaptation work</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:45:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2617</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2617</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Two members of the Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN) were among representatives from Scottish organisations highlighting Scotland’s work on climate change adaptation at the first European Climate Change Adaptation conference in Hamburg, Germany, recently. The conference was attended by over 700 experts, policy makers and practitioners from across the world, and covered issues ranging from strategies for Europe’s coasts, mountains and cities, to the influence of climate change on the energy sector.
]]></description>
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<title>Solar panels on schools will teach children as well as save money and carbon</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:33:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2616</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2616</guid>
<description><![CDATA[West Lothian Council has allocated over three-quarters of a million pounds to a project to fit solar panels on council-owned schools over the next two years. Besides helping the council to reduce carbon emissions and save money, the panels will be used to help educate children about the importance of tackling climate change.
]]></description>
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<title>Allotments consultation launched</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:31:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2615</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2615</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Scottish Government’s Rural Affairs Secretary, Richard Lochhead, has launched a consultation to consider the shape of future allotment legislation.]]></description>
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<title>EEA report says behaviour change could reduce energy consumption by 20%  </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:27:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2614</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2614</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published a report which investigates what it takes to achieve energy savings through changing consumer behaviour. It shows that up to 20% of the energy we currently consume can be saved through changing behaviour.]]></description>
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<title>Free sustainable construction procurement webinar</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:19:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2613</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2613</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A webinar on procuring sustainable construction projects will be held on April 23 as part of the European Commission’s EU Helpdesk on green public procurement (GPP). ]]></description>
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<title>New PPE contract could boost fair trade support</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 9 Apr 2013 13:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2612</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2612</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The launch of the new national contract for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on 1 April has introduced a new opportunity for councils to support fair trade.  Sylvia Gray, Chair of the SSN Steering Group and fair trade lead at East Dunbartonshire Council, has worked with Scotland Excel to create provisions to help councils to source products more ethically. ]]></description>
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<title>Scotland’s tidal power boosted by US investment </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 9 Apr 2013 13:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2611</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2611</guid>
<description><![CDATA[American tidal power firm ResHydro has announced plans to set up a base in Scotland, making it the first US renewable energy firm to invest in the nation.]]></description>
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<title>€6.3 million available in EC call for Public Procurement of Innovation proposals </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 9 Apr 2013 13:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2610</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2610</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The European Commission is calling on public procurement bodies to submit proposals for collaborative, cross-border projects that support “buyers groups” in utilising Public Procurement of Innovation. The projects should improve the economic framework conditions for innovation, and contribute to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The deadline for submissions is 28 May 2013.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>North Ayrshire gets £35,000 funding for public recycling bins  </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 9 Apr 2013 13:34:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2609</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2609</guid>
<description><![CDATA[New recycling bins are set to appear across North Ayrshire, making it easier for people to recycle when they’re away from home. The bins have been funded by a £35,000 grant to North Ayrshire Council from Zero Waste Scotland.]]></description>
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<title>Central Scotland Green Network Forum 2013</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 9 Apr 2013 13:25:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2608</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2608</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The programme for this year’s Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) Forum, which is taking place in Edinburgh, has now been announced. ]]></description>
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<title>Record year for Scottish renewables in 2012</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Apr 2013 12:28:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2606</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2606</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Scotland is on target for renewable power to meet 50% of the country's power needs by 2015, according to a DECC report. Scotland generated 7% more renewable electricity in 2012 than it did the previous year.]]></description>
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<title>Scotland’s first community-owned farm issues shares</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Apr 2013 12:07:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2605</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2605</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Whitmuir Community Farm, just south of Edinburgh, became the first in Scotland to issue shares last week. The share issue was launched by Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment,  following packed out public meetings with the current owners. Everyone over the age of five is invited to buy a share in ‘growing the future’.]]></description>
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<title>Politicians and councils unite for Earth Hour</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Apr 2013 12:04:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2604</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2604</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Scottish Government, all 32 local authorities and seven cities supported WWF’s Earth Hour event last month. The five leaders of Scotland’s main political parties also united to support renewable energy as part of their backing for Earth Hour.
]]></description>
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<title>New Bill introduced to improve regulation</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Apr 2013 12:02:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2603</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2603</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A [a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/support/better-regulation/BetterRegulationBillConsultation"]new bill[/a], the Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Bill, which the government says aims to bring greater efficiency and consistency to public services and help improve the environment, as well as creating more favourable business conditions for Scotland, has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament.
]]></description>
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<title>Feva Exchange Forum - Engaging Communities around Food and Sustainability</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Apr 2013 11:58:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2602</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2602</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Forum for Environmental Volunteering Activity (FEVA) is organising an event aimed at anyone in the environmental sector and beyond who would like to find out more about engaging communities and changing behaviour through food and sustainability. ]]></description>
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<title>SSN action on climate change commended by Local Government and Regeneration Committee</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:29:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2600</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2600</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The work of the Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN) has been commended by the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Regeneration Committee in their report published last week regarding the Scottish Government’s plans to tackle climate change in the coming years.]]></description>
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<title>Community planning needs a major effort to realise its full potential </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:14:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2599</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2599</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Community Planning Partnerships (CPPs) in Scotland have not met the ambitious goals set for them, but with the right leadership and support, could make big inroads to achieving them in the future, according to a report released last week by Audit Scotland.
]]></description>
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<title>New guide to using compost for landscaping and regeneration published</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:06:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2598</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2598</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Zero Waste Scotland has published new guidance outlining good practice for the use of quality compost across a host of building, civil engineering, landscaping and regeneration projects in Scotland and across the UK. The Good Practice Guide for the use of BSI PAS 100 Compost in Landscape and Regeneration outlines the environmental and business cases for using compost, and associated savings.
]]></description>
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<title>Searching for new ECOSTARS for Edinburgh</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Mar 2013 08:59:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2597</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2597</guid>
<description><![CDATA[City of Edinburgh Council is inviting local companies who want to improve the fuel efficiency of their vehicles to take advantage of a free advice and assessment service it is offering.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>New Administration at Fife Council signs Climate Change Declaration</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:55:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2596</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2596</guid>
<description><![CDATA[As part of its celebration of Climate Week recently, the new Fife Council administration signed the Climate Change Declaration at Dunfermline High School.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>OECD report looks at reforming public procurement to drive growth</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:40:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2595</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2595</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A new report from the OECD, Public Procurement for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth: Enabling reform through evidence and peer reviews, aims to help governments in reforming procurement policy and practice, changing it into a tool to reach strategic goals.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>WRAP launches free re-use communications tools</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:37:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2594</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2594</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) is helping local authorities boost the number of items collected for re-use by providing free communications materials.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Environmental Sustainability and Public Health Training Report launched </title>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:32:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2593</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2593</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The first report of the Public Health Registrar Sustainable Development Network was launched last week.  This report showcases work on environmental sustainability that public health registrars have done across the UK.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>West Lothian offers free emissions testing</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Environmental Quality</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2592</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2592</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A new programme of free vehicle emissions testing has been launched in West Lothian. East Central Scotland Emissions Partnership, a partnership between Falkirk, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian Council have joined forces to lead the campaign locally to reduce emissions, with the aim of improving air quality.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Aberdeen transport plan wins EU award</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:02:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2589</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2589</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Aberdeen City Council has won the first ever European Commission Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan Award for its work on a transport masterplan for the city centre.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Schools in North Ayrshire awarded gold Food for Life Catering Mark</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:48:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2588</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2588</guid>
<description><![CDATA[All of North Ayrshire's primary schools, together with Arran High School, have been awarded the Soil Association's prestigious gold Food for Life Catering Mark for their new spring menus, which will be introduced into the schools from 11 March 2013.The new menus will focus on the use of more Scottish and local suppliers and produce.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Councils lead the way with major project to recycle food waste</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2587</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2587</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A contract to build a state-of-the-art food waste treatment facility through a partnership between the City of Edinburgh and Midlothian Councils and a private sector company has been signed.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Cycling plans gain speed in Borders and Aberdeenshire</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:26:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2586</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2586</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has secured £218,000 of funding from the Scottish Government’s Sustainable Action Fund for a range of carbon reduction schemes, including new cycle paths, while in Aberdeenshire there are plans to help more people get cycling around the county. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Angus Provost launches Fairtrade Guide</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:23:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2585</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2585</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A new Fairtrade guide, produced by the Scotmid Cooperative, gives Angus residents information on how they can support farmers, workers and producers in the third world.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Scotland becomes a Fairtrade Nation</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 5 Mar 2013 12:10:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2582</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2582</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Scotland achieved Fairtrade Nation status last week, becoming just the second country in the world to do so. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The SSN office has moved</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 5 Mar 2013 12:02:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2581</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2581</guid>
<description><![CDATA[As of 5 March 2013 the SSN office has moved to new premises in Stirling, along with the rest of Keep Scotland Beautiful. Our address is now: Sustainable Scotland Network, Keep Scotland Beautiful, First Floor, Strathallan House, Castle Business Park, Stirling, FK9 4TZ.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Fife looks at micros to generate energy and cash</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 5 Mar 2013 12:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2580</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2580</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Proposals to investigate the potential to put very small wind turbines on land with buildings owned by Fife Council to generate up to £8.6million are to go to before the Executive Committee of Fife Council. Councillors will be asked to agree plans to carry out feasibility studies to identify up to 50 sites owned by the council suitable for very small scale turbine developments.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Super bins boost recycling</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 5 Mar 2013 11:52:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Environmental Quality</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2579</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2579</guid>
<description><![CDATA[New ‘Super Bins’ at a primary school in Falkirk, and intensive litter education, have helped pupils and staff recycle 70% of all waste produced in the school grounds.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Aberdeen captures energy loss on camera </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 5 Mar 2013 11:48:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2578</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2578</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Heat loss from all of Aberdeen buildings is being detected using thermal imaging equipment during flights commissioned to assess the city's energy loss. Aberdeen City Council says it thinks it is the only Scottish local authority carrying out this type of work to assess how energy-efficient the city's buildings are, with a view to helping people to make improvements.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Value of SSN’s work highlighted by parliamentary committee on RPP2</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:48:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2577</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2577</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The importance of the Sustainable Scotland Network’s work with local authorities was highlighted last week when SSN received an invitation from the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Regeneration Committee to give evidence at a roundtable session. This formed part of the Committee’s evidence gathering on the Scottish Government’s draft second Report on Proposals and Policies (RPP2) and its effectiveness in meeting the emissions reduction targets.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Climate Challenge Fund application surgery and energy efficiency advice afternoon</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:41:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2576</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2576</guid>
<description><![CDATA[As part of Climate Week, The Climate Challenge Fund will be providing application and funding advice at St  Ninians Old Parish Church Hall, Stirling.  This event should prove useful for all attendees - from those who have never heard of the CCF before, right through to groups who have a specific project in mind.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Smarter street lighting toolkit launched</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2575</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2575</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) has launched a toolkit which will help local authorities to calculate the cost of undertaking an energy efficiency investment in street lighting, and the savings which may be generated in energy, maintenance and carbon. It is rolling this out in conjunction with the Society of Chief Transportation Officers in Scotland (SCOTs).]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>New EU timber regulations introduced next week</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2574</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2574</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 3 March 2013, an EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) comes into effect to stop the circulation of illegally logged wood in the European Union. This will affect all Scottish local authorities and other public sector organisations.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Falkirk's Green Plan to be refreshed</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:26:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Environmental Quality</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2573</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2573</guid>
<description><![CDATA[An award-winning strategy that has improved green spaces and the landscape across Falkirk district is to be refreshed, as the council is to start a consultation on a new strategy for the area's green network.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>SCCD Year 4 Report shows local authorities are making progress</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 15:04:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2570</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2570</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Scotland’s local authorities are making progress in understanding, taking action, and reporting on climate change, according to the analysis of Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration (SCCD) Year Four Reports, which is published this week.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Glasgow under-street heating plan unveiled</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:56:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2569</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2569</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Researchers are launching a project which aims to use water from abandoned coal mines to provide up to 40% of Glasgow’s heat. 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Zero Waste Scotland invests £850,000 for new recycling bins</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:54:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2568</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2568</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Thousands of new recycling bins are set to appear across Scotland, making it easier to recycle when people are away from the home. The new facilities, funded through a £850,000 investment from Zero Waste Scotland, will make it easier for people to recycle, turning the problem of litter into a useable resource for Scotland. 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>West Lothian action on food waste and Fairtrade</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:51:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2567</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2567</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Food is high on the agenda in West Lothian at present, at either end of the food cycle, with a celebration of Fairtrade, and demonstrations of how to deal with food waste both planned for March this year.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>More roof-power for granite city</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:41:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2566</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2566</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Almost 900 solar panels are to be installed on council-owned buildings across Aberdeen as part of the Rent a Roof scheme.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>SSN Procurement Working Group makes plans for 2013</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:34:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2561</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2561</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The SSN Sustainable Procurement Working Group (SPWG) had its inaugural meeting of 2013 last week to address how SSN can support sustainable procurement over the next twelve months.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Procurement Reform Bill Progress Report</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:28:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2560</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2560</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Procurement Reform Bill has moved another stage forward, following a meeting last week of the Sustainable Procurement Steering Group, on which SSN sits. The Sustainable Procurement Steering Group is a short-life group that was set up to advise the Scottish Government on the development of the Bill, and last week's meeting focused on responses to the Bill consultation period, which ran from August to November last year.  SSN submitted a response during this period, based on input from members and their procurement colleagues.   ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>EST-SSN workshops on fleet management and emissions reduction</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:25:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2559</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2559</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN), in conjunction with the Energy Saving Trust, is hosting workshops for local authority sustainable development officers and fleet managers.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>New SSN staff team now complete</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:21:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2558</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2558</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) is pleased to announce that a further two new team members have been recruited to support and develop the Sustainable Scotland Network. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Event: Sharing Good Practice</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:19:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2557</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2557</guid>
<description><![CDATA[SNH, in conjunction with the Improvement Service, SEPA, and the James Hutton Institute, are holding a sharing good practice event on Using Environmental Data in SOA Profiles in Perth on the 9th March.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Scottish Government publishes RPP2</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 5 Feb 2013 12:43:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2556</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2556</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Scottish Government published the second draft Report on Proposals and Policies (RPP2) on 29th January. The report details climate change strategies, policies and proposals that build on Scotland’s current low carbon action plan, to meet Scotland’s climate change emissions reduction targets up to 2027.  
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>SSN Steering Group makes plans for wider remit</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 5 Feb 2013 10:54:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2555</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2555</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Plans for making SSN’s new wider public sector remit a reality were at the heart of the SSN Steering Group’s Annual Planning meeting last Wednesday (January 30).
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Borders Council takes first steps towards low carbon economy</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 5 Feb 2013 10:52:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2554</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2554</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has agreed to consult on a draft Low Carbon Economic Strategy which aims to form the first steps in the transition to a low carbon economy for the region. The draft strategy sets out a series of objectives and actions which aim to help achieve the vision of being 'a resilient, low carbon economy offering a thriving,  forward thinking region to its residents and businesses.' 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Online toolkit for Sustainable Cities goes live</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 5 Feb 2013 10:47:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2553</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2553</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Reference Framework for European Sustainable Cities (RFSC) has been launched and is available to all European cities and municipalities wishing to pursue an integrated and sustainable urban development. 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Aberdeenshire is now a Fairtrade Zone</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 5 Feb 2013 10:37:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2552</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2552</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Aberdeenshire has succeeded in achieving Fairtrade Zone status after making a commitment to support and use products with the Fairtrade Mark, which allows consumers to choose products that meet international standards with the knowledge that producers are getting a fair price.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Free Climate Challenge Fund event to help Shetland and Orkney Community Groups claim cash</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:31:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2546</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2546</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Keep Scotland Beautiful is holding free events on Shetland and Orkney for Community groups to learn how Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) grants from the Scottish Government of up to £150,000/yr could fund their community projects.   ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Scotland sets long-term vision to cut power sector emissions</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:28:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2545</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2545</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Scotland has set a target to cut carbon emissions from electricity generation by more than four-fifths by 2030, underlining the huge market for offshore wind beyond 2020.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>‘Enough Food for Everyone IF’ campaign launches across the UK</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:25:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2544</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2544</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Scottish Fair Trade Forum is taking part in a joint UK campaign ‘Enough Food for Everyone IF’ to tackle world hunger alongside more than 100 UK and Scottish charities.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>First Scottish University achieves the prestigious bronze Food for Life Catering Mark</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:20:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2543</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2543</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The University of Edinburgh has become the first Scottish University to achieve the prestigious bronze Food for Life Catering Mark, in recognition of the institution’s commitment to serving fresh, healthy meals that students can trust.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Consultation Response analysis of the proposed Procurement Reform Bill published </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:17:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2542</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2542</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Scottish Government has published two documents analysing the 251 consultation responses from organisations and individuals to the proposed Procurement Reform Bill.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>New twist for road-holding tyres!</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:02:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2541</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2541</guid>
<description><![CDATA[South Lanarkshire Council says it is the first in Scotland to rebuild a country road using recycled tyres.
The tyres are bound into bales, which weigh just under a tonne, and along with stone filled wire baskets, form the foundations for the new road surface.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Green light for food recycling in East Ayrshire</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:43:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2540</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2540</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Funding of £844,275 from Zero Waste Scotland will allow East Ayrshire Council to press ahead with bold plans for kerbside food recycling over the next two years.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>West Lothian commits to Green Network vision</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:40:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2539</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2539</guid>
<description><![CDATA[West Lothian Council is the latest local authority to sign the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) Local Authority Concordat.  The unique agreement between the CSGN and West Lothian Council aims to improve the social physical, cultural and environmental wellbeing of the area. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Council staff to champion carbon savings</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:35:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2538</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2538</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Dumfries and Galloway Council has launched a pilot Carbon Champions programme. The programme focuses on reducing the Council’s energy consumption by training staff volunteers to act as carbon reduction champions. Energy consumption can be reduced by up to a whopping 30% through simple behaviour changes, so engaging with staff is seen to be critical for any organisation striving to reduce its carbon. 
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>National Ecological Networks Conference 6-7 February 2013</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:31:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2537</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2537</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The National Ecological Networks Conference will explore the theory, policy and practice of ecological networks and provide an evidence base for future practical action and policy direction. 
]]></description>
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<item>
<title>New SSN Learning Brief focusses on procurement</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:04:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2535</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2535</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN) has produced an informative and interesting Learning Brief from the SSN December Quarterly Meeting, focussing on procurement within the public sector.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Climate change on course to make America hotter, drier and more disaster-prone</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:01:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2534</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2534</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A draft climate assessment report from the US National Climate Assessment and Development Advisory Committee (NCADAC) has unequivocally declared that climate change and extreme weather conditions are linked. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>New built environment publications help the low carbon economy</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:58:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2533</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2533</guid>
<description><![CDATA[With the on-going need to reduce energy usage in buildings and lower their carbon footprint, two new reports and a toolkit have recently been published to help address this key area.]]></description>
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<title>Two Councils Make Investment Drive to Cut CO2</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:52:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2532</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2532</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Clackmannanshire and South Ayrshire Councils have each invested in four new energy efficient electric vehicles in their drive to cut carbon emissions, save money and cut fossil fuel use.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>FREE Event: At the Limit? : 2020 Climate Group Seminar</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:50:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2531</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2531</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Scotland's 2020 Climate Group are running a series of public engagement seminars which are designed to offer space for new conversations around some of the more challenging and controversial issues facing Scotland in regards to climate change. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>£10.3 million available for community projects from Climate Challenge Fund </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 8 Jan 2013 16:52:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2530</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2530</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) grants of up to £150,000 per year from the Scottish Government could provide funds and support for your Community Group to reduce their community’s carbon footprint, save money and improve facilities. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Ice sheets are melting faster than predicted </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 8 Jan 2013 16:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2529</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2529</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Experts looking at the melting ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica fear they have grossly underestimated the effect that this will have on sea level rises in coming years.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Osborne hints at watering-down of UK's CO2 commitment </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 8 Jan 2013 16:37:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2528</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2528</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The UK may see a reduction in its commitment to climate change over the next 15 years if George Osborne’s plan to raise the ceiling on carbon is put into action.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Sustrans Community Links application process opens</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 8 Jan 2013 16:33:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2527</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2527</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Sustrans Scotland’s grant scheme, the Community Links Programme, is now accepting applications for the Financial Year 2013/14. Invitations to apply for funding have been sent to all of our partners with a deadline for applications of the 1st of February 2013. ]]></description>
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<title>Biofuel production could worsen air pollution</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 8 Jan 2013 15:58:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2526</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2526</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A new study has found that large-scale cultivation of trees for renewable fuel would emit high levels of the damaging chemical isoprene.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Food for Life Scotland Takes Root in Edinburgh</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:15:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2525</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2525</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Soil Association Scotland’s [em]Food for Life[/em] programme has opened its doors to a new staff team, and a new partnership project designed to improve public sector catering and food procurement in Edinburgh. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Learning for Sustainability report published</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:08:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2524</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2524</guid>
<description><![CDATA[[em]Learning for Sustainability[/em], the report of the [em]One Planet Schools[/em] Working Group, was published yesterday.  ]]></description>
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<title>'Hybrid' ferry launched as CalMac goes green</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Dec 2012 14:58:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2523</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2523</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne launched the first of two pioneering ‘hybrid’ ferries at Port Glasgow yesterday. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Pioneering energy centre reduces bills at Glasgow’s Athletes’ Village and Emirates Arena</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Dec 2012 14:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2522</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2522</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Glasgow City Council's Executive Committee has approved the connection of the Energy Centre at the Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village to the Emirates Arena.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>DEFRA Release New UK Carbon Footprint Data </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Dec 2012 14:43:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2521</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2521</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 13th December DEFRA release a report on the UK’s carbon footprint, providing an assessment of the greenhouse gas (GHG) impact of UK consumption of products and services. The UK’s CO2 footprint has risen in 2010 after a fall from a peak of 852MtCO2 in 2004. From 2009 to 2010, CO2 emissions rose by 10%, which reversed the 19% decline seen the previous year.]]></description>
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<title>Scottish councils embrace sustainable timber pledge </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:48:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2512</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2512</guid>
<description><![CDATA[23 of the 32 Scottish Local Authorities have made pledges to the WWF campaign ‘What Wood You Choose?’ to integrate sustainable timber into their procurement processes in a bid to help reduce illegal logging. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Scotland and UN bring sustainable energy to the developing world</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2511</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2511</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Scotland’s Sustainable Energy for All partnership along with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) will deliver sustainable energy to help some of the most disadvantaged communities across the developing world. It will cover everything required for domestic to small-scale manufacture needs and renewable energy projects.]]></description>
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<title>The Catering Mark Supplier Scheme launches  </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2510</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2510</guid>
<description><![CDATA[This week the Catering Mark Supplier Scheme is launched by Soil Association Certification, the organisation which runs the highly successful Catering Mark accreditation standards.]]></description>
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<title>Scottish Government invests £3.5 million to help heat old homes</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:32:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2509</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2509</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday that new Scottish Government investment of £3.5 million has been allocated to 19 projects across Scotland, for the installation of energy efficiency measures such as solid wall insulation, double glazing and central heating in older homes. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Key outcomes from Doha</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:29:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2508</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2508</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Countries have successfully launched a new commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol, agreed a firm timetable to adopt a universal climate agreement by 2015 and agreed a path to raise necessary ambition to respond to climate change.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Climate change compensation emerges as major issue at Doha talks</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 4 Dec 2012 17:40:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2506</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2506</guid>
<description><![CDATA[As the COP18 UN climate talks enter their second week a major new issue for developing countries has emerged: should rich countries compensate vulnerable communities for the "loss and damage" caused by events linked to climate change?]]></description>
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<title>Scotland to host conference on climate action for world’s poorest</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 4 Dec 2012 17:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2505</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2505</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Scotland will host a major conference to seize a once-in-a-generation chance to enshrine human rights in economic development and climate change policy.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Energy Bill to power low-carbon economic growth</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 4 Dec 2012 17:35:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2504</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2504</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Essential legislation to power low-carbon economic growth, to protect consumers, and to keep the lights on was introduced to Parliament by Edward Davey.]]></description>
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<title>Government plans will cut electricity demand</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 4 Dec 2012 17:33:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2503</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2503</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Proposals to dramatically reduce electricity demand across the whole UK economy will be published by the Government today.
]]></description>
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<item>
<title>UK company to build Africa’s largest solar power plant</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 4 Dec 2012 17:26:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2502</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2502</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A UK firm, Blue Energy, is to begin construction of what is reported to be the largest solar plant in Africa. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Government agreement on energy policy sends clear, durable signal to investors</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:54:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2501</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2501</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Edward Davey, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary, announced on Friday that the UK Government has reached a landmark agreement on energy policy that will deliver a clear, durable signal to investors.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Europe shows clear signs of climate change, confirming urgent need for adaptation</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2500</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2500</guid>
<description><![CDATA[An assessment published by the European Environment Agency shows clearly that all regions of Europe are showing signs of climate change, which is impacting on society and the environment.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Scotland tops EU emissions reduction table</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:37:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2499</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2499</guid>
<description><![CDATA[It was revealed this week that Scotland has topped the European league table for emissions reductions. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Climate change adaptation cash for poor countries fails to materialise</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:32:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2498</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2498</guid>
<description><![CDATA[$100bn that was agreed by the EU and nine countries including the US, Canada and Australia at the Copenhagen climate talks in 2009 to be provided to help poor countries adapt to climate change, is failing to materialise. ]]></description>
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<title>Highland Council show business travel reductions possible</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:14:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2497</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2497</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Highland Council produced an excellent presentation for the SSN Conference 2012 illustrating how they have managed to reduce council business miles by 27%, or 3.1 million miles, over the last 4 years, saving 1032 tonnes of CO2 and £350,000.]]></description>
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<title>Desert plan to power Europe stumbles</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:12:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2496</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2496</guid>
<description><![CDATA[An ambitious plan to install a network of solar plants in North Africa to power 15% of Europe’s power needs has fallen into trouble.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>World Bank report states 4 Degree warming by 2060 is possible</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:11:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2495</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2495</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A ground-breaking new report by The Work Bank Group details that a 4 degree global temperature rise is possible and the devastating effects it would have on the world.]]></description>
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<title>Greenhouse gases hit record high</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:08:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2494</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2494</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reached a new record high in 2011, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Between 1990 and 2011 there was a 30% increase in radiative forcing – the warming effect on our climate – because of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other heat-trapping long-lived gases.]]></description>
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<title>Decarbonisation target 'could be postponed until next parliament'</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:06:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2493</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2493</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Difficult negotiations are threatening to postpone the introduction of limits on the carbon emissions of future power stations. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>SSN Conference 2012 hailed a success</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:12:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2488</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2488</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Sustainable Scotland Network Conference 2012 last week was a great success with key speakers from the Scottish Government, COSLA and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency amongst others.]]></description>
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<title>Campaign launched to get 1,000,000 people to Clean up Scotland</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:11:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Environmental Quality</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2487</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2487</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful is to lead a nationwide mass-engagement campaign called Clean Up Scotland, which will get underway in 2013 and will run until the end of 2014. ]]></description>
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<title>Energy efficiency could replace 22 UK power stations</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:04:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2486</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2486</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A transformation in the way energy is used across the UK economy could help boost growth and jobs, and investing in energy efficiency could save up to 22 power stations-worth of energy by 2020, according to the Government’s Energy Efficiency Strategy published yesterday.]]></description>
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<title>Biomass may be dirtier than coal</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:57:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2485</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2485</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A recent report by Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and the RSPB states that burning whole trees for biomass energy generation would significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions. ]]></description>
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<title>UK CCS projects could lose out on €600m EU funding</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:53:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2484</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2484</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The UK government could lose out on its share of the €600m EU funding for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects due to providing insufficient financial guarantees, making them ineligible for Brussels’ funding. ]]></description>
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<title>Keep Scotland Beautiful Recruits New SSN Staff</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 6 Nov 2012 16:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2480</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2480</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) and the SSN Steering Group are pleased to announce that five new members of staff have been recruited to support and develop the Sustainable Scotland Network. ]]></description>
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<title>New target sets Scottish green energy at 50% of demand by 2015</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 6 Nov 2012 16:35:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2479</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2479</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The First Minister Alex Salmond has revealed that a new target to generate the equivalent of half of Scotland's electricity needs from renewable energy by 2015 has been set.]]></description>
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<title>Zero-heat loss council homes for Anstruther</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 6 Nov 2012 16:34:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2478</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2478</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Fife Council have recently finished a development of eight new zero heat loss properties on the site of a former primary school in Anstruther.]]></description>
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<title>Germany sets new solar power record</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 6 Nov 2012 16:19:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2477</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2477</guid>
<description><![CDATA[German solar power plants produced a world record 22 gigawatts of electricity per hour, which is equal to 20 nuclear power stations at full capacity, through the midday hours on Friday and Saturday, the head of a renewable energy think tank said.]]></description>
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<title>World on track for 6C warming without carbon cuts</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 6 Nov 2012 16:17:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2476</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2476</guid>
<description><![CDATA[New research by consultancy company PwC has shown that the slow rate of emissions cuts in major economies is causing the world to head towards at least 6 degrees of warming by the end of the century.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>SSN Conference – Final Week for Registrations</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:54:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2472</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2472</guid>
<description><![CDATA[With just a week to go, this year’s SSN Conference on Thursday 8th November in Edinburgh is looking to be as feature-packed as previous years. ]]></description>
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<title>More countries on track to meet Kyoto targets as greenhouse gas emissions fall 2.5 % </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:50:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2471</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2471</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Greenhouse gas emissions across the European Union fell by an average of 2.5% from 2010 to 2011, with the UK coming out top in absolute terms with an emission reduction of 6%.]]></description>
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<title>Coal renaissance threatens climate change targets</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2470</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2470</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Coal consumption rose sharply in 2011/12 from the stable level of 25% of primary energy consumption to a pre-1969 high of 30%, threatening to put climate change targets out of reach.]]></description>
</item>
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<title>BCSD-UK in Scotland event: Sustainable Water – The Ideas and Technologies to Respond - A Business Opportunity</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:39:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2469</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2469</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Water is becoming an increasingly critical resource, raising the importance to business and public sector bodies of using it efficiently. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Zero Waste Scotland: Good Procurement is Sustainable Procurement</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:33:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2468</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2468</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Determined to help Scotland’s public sector lead the way in good sustainable procurement practice, in 2011/12 Zero Waste Scotland rolled out a training programme to about 350 staff with procurement responsibilities in Scotland. This training was supported by the Scottish Government.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>SSN Conference - Just a Fortnight Away</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:04:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2460</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2460</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The 2012 SSN Conference – Public Sector Climate Action – takes place on Thursday 8th November. For those yet to register, there’s a fortnight left to do so, with ever fewer places available. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Webinar: Working together to adapt to climate change</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:58:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2459</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2459</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On the 15th November Adaptation Scotland is taking part in an international webinar organised by ICLEI's Resilient Cities Team. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Scottish hospitals to go green</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:56:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2458</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2458</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Scottish Government has announced that it is to invest £24 million in hospitals to make them more energy efficient.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Peatlands to be restore to help fight the carbon war</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:52:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2457</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2457</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Plans to restore Scotland’s peatland landscape will be supported with £1.7 million funding from the Scottish Government’s Green Stimulus package.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Europe playing catch-up on air pollution</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:49:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2455</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2455</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Despite meeting several of the objectives set to reduce the impacts of air pollution, Europe’s air quality is still below par.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>SSN Conference 2012 - Less than four weeks to go!</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Oct 2012 17:21:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2453</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2453</guid>
<description><![CDATA[This year’s SSN Conference will address one of Scotland’s most pressing challenges – Public Sector Climate Action.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>2013 Worldwide food crisis looms as grain reserves hit critical low</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Oct 2012 17:07:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2452</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2452</guid>
<description><![CDATA[World grain reserves have been eroded to a record low in 2012 by failing harvests in the US, Ukraine and other countries. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>US researchers map carbon emissions at street level</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Oct 2012 17:02:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2451</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2451</guid>
<description><![CDATA[New software that can accurately measure greenhouse gas emissions down to individual buildings has been developed by US scientists.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Business leaders call for stronger green targets</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 9 Oct 2012 09:36:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2450</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2450</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Open letters sent to Chancellor George Osborne and Energy Secretary Ed Davey have called for the UK Government to set a binding target to green electricity by 2030.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Liquid air offers energy storage hope</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 9 Oct 2012 09:34:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2449</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2449</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Scientists in Britain are currently developing a new technology using liquid air to solve the problem of how to store energy.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Investors in biomass get a boost</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 9 Oct 2012 09:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2448</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2448</guid>
<description><![CDATA[New plans have been set out by the Energy Minister John Hayes that will give investors who are interested in converting coat plants to biomass and plants that co-fire coal and biomass, a boost.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Electric cars pollute more than petrol</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 9 Oct 2012 09:17:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2447</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2447</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A study conducted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology has discovered that electric cars could cause more pollution than petrol or diesel powered cars.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Norway doubles carbon tax on big oil, more cash to forests</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 9 Oct 2012 09:13:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2446</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2446</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Norway’s draft budget showed on Monday that the government plans to almost double carbon taxes on the oil industry next year in order to raise money to help developing nations protect forests as part of measures to combat climate change.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Green Apple Award for Banff Environmental Action Team (BEAT)</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Oct 2012 12:10:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2442</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2442</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Banff environmental Action team was awarded a Local Authorities Gold Award at the Green Apple Awards in Edinburgh in September.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Shadow Chancellor calls for drive forward in low carbon infrastructure</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Oct 2012 11:49:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2440</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2440</guid>
<description><![CDATA[It was announced yesterday that an independent commission is to be set up to look into methods of driving long-term investment in crucial infrastructure projects, including new clean energy capacity and low carbon transport networks.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Cold wind of doubt around Green Deal</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Oct 2012 11:47:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2439</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2439</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Government’s Green Deal scheme, which aims to improve the energy efficiency of 14 million homes in Britain, was launched this week, however there are severe doubts about the likely success of the programme.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Scotland on track to meet 2020 renewable electricity target</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Oct 2012 11:40:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2438</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2438</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Figures released by the Department for Energy and Climate Change show that Scotland’s renewable energy generation of 806GWh for the first half of 2012 was up 12.8% on the same period in 2011. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>SSN Conference – Paul Wheelhouse MSP confirmed to speak</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Sep 2012 15:50:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2437</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2437</guid>
<description><![CDATA[SSN is pleased to confirm that Paul Wheelhouse MSP, recently-appointed Scottish Government Minister for Environment and Climate Change, will address this year’s SSN Conference. The Minister will be joined in the opening session of the conference by Cllr Stephen Hagan, COSLA Spokesperson on Regeneration and Sustainable Development.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>ChooseAnotherWay Conference, 4th October, Edinburgh</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Sep 2012 15:39:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2436</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2436</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The 2020 Climate Group has issued an open invitation to its flagship transport event, ChooseAnotherWay to Work, taking place on Thursday 4th October from 9am – 1.30pm at The Hub in central Edinburgh. The event includes a keynote speech by the Minister for Housing and Transport, Keith Brown MSP.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Health Impacts of Climate Change in the UK 2012 - HPA Report Published</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Sep 2012 15:33:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2435</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2435</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Risks to public health in the UK from climate change are spelled out in a report published today by the Health Protection Agency.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Climate Change Committee slams Government over dash for gas</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Sep 2012 15:26:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2434</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2434</guid>
<description><![CDATA[An open letter sent to the to the Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey from the independent Climate Change Committee has warned that Chancellor George Osborne's plans for a surge in new gas investment would breach the Climate Change Act.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>New report shows many Europeans still exposed to harmful air pollutants </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Sep 2012 15:19:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2433</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2433</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A new report 'Air quality in Europe — 2012 report', published by the European Environment Agency, has revealed that almost a third of city dwellers in Europe are exposed to excessive concentrations of airborne particulate matter (PM). This pollutant penetrates sensitive parts of the respiratory system and so is one of the most important in terms of harm to human health.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Sustainable Scotland Network Conference - Public Sector Climate Action: Update</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Sep 2012 16:36:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2420</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2420</guid>
<description><![CDATA[SSN is delighted to confirm new speakers for this year’s Sustainable Scotland Network conference on Public Sector Climate Action. Speakers now include: James Curran, Chief Executive, SEPA; Giles Bristow, Head of Energy, Forum for the Future; Jillian Anable, Senior Lecturer, Centre for Transport Research, University of Aberdeen.
]]></description>
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<item>
<title>WWF ask “What’s your green idea?” -  win £1,000 to help make it a reality</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Sep 2012 16:28:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2419</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2419</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Does your community or group have a great, green idea but need some cash to help turn it into a reality? WWF Scotland is offering one lucky group the chance to win £1,000 to help make it happen.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>New Adaptation Resources - European Cities and the NHS</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Sep 2012 16:25:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2418</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2418</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A new suite of resources on climate change adaptation have been produced by the European Environment Agency and the NHS (England and Wales) Sustainable Development Unit. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>SSN Team Recruitment Still Live</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Sep 2012 16:16:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2417</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2417</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Keep Scotland Beautiful is still recruiting staff for its enhanced SSN team. Deadline for applications is 21st September. Please share this link with anyone you think may be interested in applying.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>SSN Staff Team Recruitment Now Live</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 4 Sep 2012 15:08:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2416</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2416</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Scottish Government is supporting the development of SSN by providing enhanced funding to Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB), one of Scotland’s leading environmental charities. KSB promotes action on sustainable development and climate change, sustainable development education and local environmental quality. KSB is now recruiting for new staff to support the development of SSN.
]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Nourish Conference, Scotland's Food 2020: 28-29 September 2012, Edinburgh</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 4 Sep 2012 14:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2413</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2413</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Nourish Conference – [em]‘Scotland’s Food 2020: Healthier, Wealthier, Greener, Smarter, Fairer’[/em] – takes place at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh on 28 and 29 September 2012.  The conference will address a number of challenges and opportunities facing Scotland’s food system.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>What’s In It For Me? - Consumer Focus Report Published</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 4 Sep 2012 14:33:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2412</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2412</guid>
<description><![CDATA[‘What’s In It For Me? – Using The Benefits of Energy Efficiency to Overcome the Barriers’ is a Consumer Focus report which explores ways of engaging people in the merits of adopting energy efficient measures. The research responds to the challenges posed by the Green Deal framework, which the governments expect to lead to a considerable decrease in the number of cavity wall and loft insulations in homes. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>SSN Conference 2012 Update: COSLA Spokesperson Confirmed as Key Speaker</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:28:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2400</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2400</guid>
<description><![CDATA[SSN is pleased to announce that Cllr Stephen Hagan, recently confirmed COSLA Spokesperson on Regeneration and Sustainable Development, will join this year’s SSN Conference as a key speaker. Cllr Hagan will join Stewart Stevenson MSP, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, in the opening plenary on ‘Leadership for Public Sector Climate Action’.]]></description>
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<title>City of Edinburgh Council Achieves WWF Silver Award for Sustainable Timber Purchasing </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:15:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2399</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2399</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The City of Edinburgh Council has been recognised by WWF for work done to ensure timber and wood products it purchases come from sustainable sources that protect the world’s forests and the local communities they support.
]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Local Authority and Regional CO2 Emissions Data for 2010 Published</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:09:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2398</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2398</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Estimates are published today (23rd August) of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for 2010, and revised estimates for the years 2005-2009, for all UK Local Authorities (LAs) and Regions.

]]></description>
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<title>Scottish Low Carbon Skills Fund Open for Business</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:01:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2397</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2397</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Low Carbon Skills Fund gives Scottish businesses with up to 250 employees the opportunity to apply for up to £12,500 towards employee training costs.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Sharing Good Practice Event: An ecosystems approach in action - working with nature for multiple benefits </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:47:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2396</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2396</guid>
<description><![CDATA[An ecosystems approach means working with nature for a healthy environment for people and nature.  It applies to any plan, policy or management that affects, or can benefit from, the natural environment, particularly to decisions made at a landscape or catchment scale.   This event is an opportunity to hear about the latest tools for applying an ecosystems approach and to discuss case studies where this is being tested. 
]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Procurement Reform Bill Launched for Consultation</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Aug 2012 17:16:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2394</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2394</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 10th August the Scottish Government launched a public consultation on the Procurement Reform Bill; a major aspect of which is the promotion of sustainable procurement.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Climate Justice: Delivering Socially Just Adaptation in Scotland </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Aug 2012 17:11:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2393</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2393</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Scottish Government, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Sniffer (Adaptation Scotland) are hosting a one day conference Climate Justice: Delivering Socially Just Adaptation in Scotland. The conference takes place on Thursday 13th September in Edinburgh]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Adapting to climate change risk assessment training – 11th and 16th October</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Aug 2012 17:02:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2392</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2392</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Adaptation Scotland are running two one-day training courses for public sector organisations looking to better understand and assess the risks and opportunities that they face as a result of changes in climate]]></description>
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<item>
<title>SNH Online Toolkit Encourages Communities to Engage with Local Landscapes</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 7 Aug 2012 16:16:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2391</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2391</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A new web guide, ‘Talking About Our Place’, has been launched by Scottish Natural
Heritage (SNH) to encourage communities to get involved in the future of their landscape.]]></description>
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<title>Falkirk Council’s Sustainable Timber Procurement Approach Gains WWF-UK Silver Pledge Award</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 7 Aug 2012 16:14:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2390</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2390</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 3 August, Falkirk Council announced that it had gained a WWF-UK silver pledge award for its work on sustainable timber procurement. 
]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Case Studies Available from Central Scotland Green Network</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 7 Aug 2012 16:07:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2389</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2389</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Central Scotland Green Network has a range of case studies available to access on their website. Topics covered include: community growing, incorporating greenspace into regeneration activity, woodland path development, greening vacant and derelict land, and encouraging bike use.]]></description>
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<title>Job Vacancy: Renewables Project Officer, West Lothian Council</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 7 Aug 2012 16:05:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2388</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2388</guid>
<description><![CDATA[West Lothian Council is currently seeking to recruit a Renewables Project Officer to support the development of the council’s Renewables Strategy.
]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Councils Encouraged to Apply for UK Landscape Awards</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 7 Aug 2012 16:03:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2387</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2387</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Local authorities and other organisations are being encouraged to enter a national award that highlights the importance of the landscape in transforming community life. Case studies of previous award winners are also available online.]]></description>
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<title>UK Government Agrees to be more Open About Consumption Emissions, but Won’t Set Targets</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:24:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2385</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2385</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 25 July three government departments published a joint response to the Energy and Climate Change Committee’s inquiry on outsourced emissions. The Government agreed it was ‘important to communicate the UK’s total carbon footprint’, and set out measures it would adopt to do more to highlight consumption emissions. The Government did not accept, however, that data on outsourced emissions was robust enough to be able to set national consumption-based emissions targets.
]]></description>
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<title>Behaviour Change: Toolkit for Engaging Staff on Green Issues from Cheltenham Burgh Council</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:21:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2384</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2384</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Cheltenham Burgh Council has produced a freely available online toolkit for use by councils and other organisations to help them deliver in-house staff engagement campaigns that will inspire employees to participate in emissions reduction activities.  ‘The Big Green Bundle’ toolkit uses Defra’s environmental segmentation model to divide employees into seven different groups depending on their attitudes and beliefs towards the environment, environmental issues and behaviours.]]></description>
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<title>Defra Consults on Guidance for Organisations to Measure and Report Environmental Impacts, and on GHG Reporting for UK Quoted Companies</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:19:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2383</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2383</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 25 July the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced the launch of two consultations. The first seeks views on revised voluntary guidance for how UK organisations should measure and report on their environmental impacts. The second consults on the content of the draft greenhouse gas emission reporting regulations for UK quoted companies, which will be become mandatory in April 2013.]]></description>
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<title>ICLEI Case Studies and Climate Change Lessons from Carbon Disclosure Project</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:17:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2382</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2382</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ICLEI, the international association of local governments committed to sustainable development, have recently published a case study booklet on sustainable transport. The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) has recently published ‘Seven Climate Change Lessons from the Cities of Europe’.]]></description>
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<title>NEF Guidance on Measuring Well-being Outcomes</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:15:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2381</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2381</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 30 July, the new economics foundation (nef) launched ‘Measuring Well-being: A guide for practitioners’.  This new handbook is designed for voluntary organisations and community groups, to assist them with measuring the well-being outcomes of their projects and services.]]></description>
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<title>Defra Consults on New Set of Sustainable Development Indicators</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2012 17:15:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2380</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2380</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 24 July the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published a consultation on a new set of Sustainable Development Indicators which will provide information as to whether the UK is developing on a sustainable path. The new Sustainable Development Indicators will be used alongside National Wellbeing Measures that have been developed by the Office for National Statistics.]]></description>
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<title>Focus on: Soil Association Scotland’s Food for Life Programme</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2012 17:13:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2379</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2379</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Soil Association Scotland was recently awarded Scottish Government funding of £772,000 to expand its Food for Life programme, which includes supporting and recognising local authority caterers who use local, seasonal, healthy and organic ingredients. Three councils in Scotland have already achieved the Food for Life Catering Mark for their primary school meals.  Case studies are available.]]></description>
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<title>UK Government Responds to Feed-in Tariffs Consultation, and RHI Consultation Launched</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2012 17:09:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2378</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2378</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 20 July the UK Government published its response to the consultation on Phase 2B of the comprehensive review of the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) scheme, which represents the final stage of the review of this scheme. On the same day, the UK Government also published a consultation on budget management and environmental sustainability of the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).]]></description>
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<title>Joseph Rowntree Foundation Report: Socially Just Adaptation to Climate Change</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2012 17:04:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2377</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2377</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Recent research published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has revealed that local authorities are only just beginning to consider and involve vulnerable communities in their climate change adaptation plans, and argues that councils must do more to protect such communities from the impacts of climate change. The report cites Highland Council as a good example of the integration of just adaptation into council decision-making processes.
]]></description>
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<title>Guardian Hosts Online Expert Panel Discussion: Are Councils Doing Enough to Go Green?</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2012 17:01:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2376</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2376</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Guardian’s online Local Government Network hosted an online expert panel discussion on 17 July, which debated whether councils were doing enough to go green. The full online discussion is available online, as well as a summary of key messages.]]></description>
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<title>Scotland Misses First Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions Target</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:02:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2366</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2366</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Scottish greenhouse gas emissions statistics published on 17 July reveal that the Scottish Government has failed to meet its first annual emissions target, set for 2010. Although greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland have decreased 24.3% between 1990-2010, it is estimated that Scottish emissions increased between 2009-2010 by 1.9%.]]></description>
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<title>Unsustainable Consumption in European Countries Must be Addressed, Says EEA</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:59:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2365</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2365</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Executive Director of the European Environment Agency (EEA) has predicted ‘multiple, converging environmental crises caused by our unsustainable consumption’. The comments came in the wake of the publication of a report by the EEA which highlighted that the consumption of goods and services in EEA member countries is a major driver of global resource use and associated environmental impacts.]]></description>
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<title>Climate Change-Related Briefings from Scottish Parliament Information Centre </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:56:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2364</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2364</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) has recently published a number of research briefings relating to sustainable development and climate change. Briefings include: ‘Climate Change – the Role of the Individual’, ‘Rio+20: United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development’, ‘Offshore Renewable Energy’ and ‘Peatlands and Climate Change’.]]></description>
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<title>Action Needed to Diminish Risks from Flooding and Water Scarcity, Say Committee on Climate Change</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:52:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2363</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2363</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Chair of the UK government’s independent advisors on climate change adaptation has said that adaptation must be taken ‘more seriously if we are to manage the growing risks of floods and droughts’. The comments were made at the launch of the 2012 Progress Report by the Committee on Climate Change’s Adaptation Sub-Committee, which revealed that development on the English flood plain has increased by 12% in the past ten years, while funding for flood defences has decreased.]]></description>
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<title>GreenFleet Scotland Event – 13 September, Edinburgh</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:40:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2362</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2362</guid>
<description><![CDATA[GreenFleet Scotland, in partnership with the Energy Saving Trust and O2, is an event for fleet managers and heads of transport that want to manage their fleets more efficiently, reducing both fuel and running costs. It will be the largest gathering of low and zero emission vehicles, available for test drive, held in Scotland.]]></description>
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<title>Pace of Climate Change Action Needs to Increase Fourfold, Say Committee on Climate Change </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:54:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2360</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2360</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Published on 29 June, the latest Progress Report by the UK government’s independent advisors on climate change states that the rate of progress on reducing emissions is only a quarter of what is required to meet future carbon budgets.]]></description>
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<title>Fife Housing Innovation Showcase Delivers Energy-Efficient, Affordable Homes</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:51:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2359</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2359</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A 27-house scheme in Dunfermline, showcasing sustainability and demonstrating how new methods of construction can be transferred to mainstream affordable housing, was visited by Scottish Government Minister for Housing and Transport Keith Brown on 3 July.]]></description>
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<title>Scottish Local Authorities: June Sustainability Round-Up</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:49:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2358</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2358</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Several councils recognised for sustainable transport work at Scottish Transport Awards, Aberdeenshire Council continues to save costs and carbon through Worksmart and WorkSPACE schemes, Aberdeen City Council announces further extension to award-winning district heating network, Aberdeen City Council approves plans for solar panels on council buildings, Fife Council to introduce edible borders in public planting spaces, and Falkirk Council procures electric vehicles.]]></description>
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<title>Scottish Local Authorities: May Sustainability Round-Up</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:43:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2357</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2357</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Glasgow City Council receives award for White Cart Flood Prevention Scheme, Aberdeenshire Council launches car club, Aberdeen City Council completes successful car club trial of hydrogen vehicles, City of Edinburgh Council to use iPads to cut paper and costs at committee meetings, and Glasgow City Council's arms-length construction firm City Building wins prestigious Queens Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development.]]></description>
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<title>CBI Urges UK Government to Embrace the Potential of Green Growth</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2356</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2356</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said on 5 July that with the right policies in place ‘green business will be a major pillar of our future growth’, and that the UK government should no longer distinguish between ‘going green or going for growth’. The remarks were made at the launch of the CBI’s new report, ‘The Colour of Growth: Maximising the Potential of Green Business’.]]></description>
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<title>Scottish Government Launches Consultation on Efficient Use of Resources</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 3 Jul 2012 16:51:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2354</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2354</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 27 June the Scottish Government launched a major consultation on a range of proposed measures designed to reduce waste and encourage more efficient use of materials. Measures include: additional national targets for waste reduction, the introduction of a charge for carrier bags, and a range of actions to stimulate business resource efficiency.]]></description>
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<title>Scottish Futures Trust: Report on Local Authority Approaches to Promote and Deliver Green Deal</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 3 Jul 2012 16:50:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2353</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2353</guid>
<description><![CDATA[In June 2012, the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) published a report reviewing the range of approaches available to Local Authorities to promote and deliver the Green Deal within Scotland.]]></description>
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<title>Defra and DECC Publish Major New Study on Home Energy Use</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 3 Jul 2012 16:45:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2352</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2352</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A major new study published on 26 June has revealed that actual day-to-day use of electricity in people’s homes across the country is higher than previously thought.  The study - the first of its kind in the UK - measured and monitored electricity in real time and in real life situations; breaking down what electrical items were being used, when, for how long and how much power they used.]]></description>
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<title>Sustainable Development Education: Job Vacancies</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 3 Jul 2012 16:44:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2351</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2351</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Keep Scotland Beautiful are currently recruiting for two vacancies within the Eco-Schools Scotland team: Assessment and Development Officer Secondary Schools, and Assessment Officer (Maternity Cover). Scottish Borders Council is currently recruiting for a Communities and Schools Carbon Reduction Officer.]]></description>
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<title>UNEP Launches International Sustainable Public Procurement Initiative and Associated Resources</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 3 Jul 2012 16:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2350</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2350</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 20 June the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launched a new Sustainable Public Procurement Initiative (SPPI) which seeks to back the worldwide implementation of sustainable public procurement through promotion of a better understanding of its potential benefits and impacts, and facilitating increased cooperation between key stakeholders. UNEP has also published a range of sustainable public procurement resources to accompany the launch. 
]]></description>
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<title>Consultations: Sustainable Housing Strategy and Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:15:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2347</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2347</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 25 June the Scottish Government launched two major consultations on the newly published Sustainable Housing Strategy and the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing.  ]]></description>
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<title>Scottish Government to Launch Consultation on Carrier Bags</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:11:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2346</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2346</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Scottish Government announced on 24 June that it will launch a consultation this week on a range of proposals, including the introduction of a charge for single-use carrier bags in supermarkets.
]]></description>
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<title>Scottish Government Publishes Microgeneration Strategy for Scotland</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:08:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2345</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2345</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Scottish Government published a Microgeneration Strategy for Scotland on 22 June, setting out its support for microgeneration and its aims and ambitions for the growth of the sector.]]></description>
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<title>New Online Case Study Library from SDRN</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:05:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2344</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2344</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Sustainable Development Research Network (SDRN) has recently launched an online case study database of innovative sustainable development initiatives from across the research, community and business sectors. ]]></description>
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<title>Report Highlights Opportunities and Barriers for Cities to be Key Contributers to Green Economy Growth</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:04:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2343</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2343</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A report published by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and the London School of Economics’ LSE Cities centre investigates the role of, and opportunities for, cities in the transition to a green economy. While underlining some key challenges facing urban centres in building a green economy, the report is upbeat about progress to date and cities’ ambitions for going green.]]></description>
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<title>Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:14:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2341</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2341</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The high-level summit of the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development begins today, 20 June. Over 190 countries will be represented at the three-day event which hopes to see governments agree to a set of shared sustainable development principles, landmarks and goals.]]></description>
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<title>Climate Group Champions Benefits of LED Street Lighting in New Global Report</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:11:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2340</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2340</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A report by the Climate Group launched at the Rio+20 summit has found that LED street lighting can generate energy savings as high as 85%, as well as bringing social and environmental benefits to localities. The Group are calling for all public lighting to be LED by 2020. ]]></description>
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<title>Scotland’s Water Resources will be Impacted by Climate Change and Population Growth, says Report</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:10:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2339</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2339</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A report published by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Scotland on 13 June has warned that the impacts of both climate change and population growth will put added pressure on Scotland’s water resources as rainfall is less predictable and demand continues to increase. The Institution is calling on government to ensure Scotland’s water industry is fit for the future, and has also warned of the environmental impacts of selling water via long-distance transfers.
]]></description>
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<title>First UK Map of District Heating Schemes Published</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:08:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2338</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2338</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Combined Heat and Power Association (CHPA) has published the UK’s first map of district heating schemes online. The CHPA also have a number of other resources available online, including a guidance document on planning, developing and delivering community energy schemes. ]]></description>
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<title>New Economics Foundation Publishes 2012 Happy Planet Index</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:06:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2337</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2337</guid>
<description><![CDATA[As governments at Rio+20 deliberate on developing indicators of progress that go ‘beyond GDP’, the new economics foundation (nef) has published the latest annual update to its Happy Planet Index, which ranks 151 countries according to the extent to which each nation produces long and happy lives per unit of environmental input.]]></description>
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<title>Green Deal and ECO Developments</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jun 2012 15:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2335</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2335</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 11 July the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) published its response to the recent Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) consultation, setting out key issues that arose from the consultation and full details of the final policy.   ]]></description>
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<title>Report Analyses Cities' Climate Change Activities and Underlines Opportunities for Green Growth</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:54:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2334</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2334</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A new report published on 7 June by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) has analysed the carbon and water strategies of 73 cities across the world. The report's authors highlighted that 82% of cities identified the potential for economic growth as a result of their climate change mitigation and adaptation activity.]]></description>
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<title>Scottish Government Increases Funding for Community Growing</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:50:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2333</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2333</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 17 May, the Scottish Government announced £600,000 of funding to support community growing organisations and initiatives. A new website was also launched on 17 May, bringing together all the organisations and grow your own resources that are available for people in Scotland. ]]></description>
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<title>'Active Travel, Active Scotland' Report Published</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:45:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2332</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2332</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 25 May a coalition of active travel and sustainable transport organisations published a report setting out how local and national government in Scotland can help deliver growth in walking and cycling through a practical and achievable action plan. ]]></description>
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<title>Raising EU 2020 Emissions Target to 30 Percent Affordable, Says Report</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:41:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2331</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2331</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A report published on 26 April by leading analysis company Bloomberg New Energy Finance states that raising the European Union's carbon reduction target for 2020 from 20% to 30% will cost EU countries under 0.04% of GDP, with some member states getting a net benefit.]]></description>
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<title>Local Authorities have ‘Crucial Role’ in Reducing UK Emissions, says CCC</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 May 2012 17:16:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2325</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2325</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A report published by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) on 17 May says that local authorities play a ‘crucial role’ in meeting national emissions targets, and that limited action by local government would put achievement of UK carbon targets at risk.]]></description>
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<title>UK Government Publishes Draft Energy Bill</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 May 2012 17:15:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2324</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2324</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 22 May Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Edward Davey announced the publication of a draft UK Energy Bill. The Bill includes significant measures to reform the electricity market which Mr Davey said were necessary to 'ensure we keep the lights on, bills down and the air clean'.]]></description>
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<title>Fife Council Gains WWF Silver Sustainable Timber Procurement Award</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 May 2012 17:11:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2323</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2323</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Fife Council is the first council in Scotland to gain a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Silver Pledge award for its practice in purchasing sustainable wood and paper.
]]></description>
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<title>Climate Change and Sustainable Development Jobs Vacancies</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 May 2012 17:07:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2322</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2322</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Climate change and sustainable development jobs are currently being advertised at Keep Scotland Beautiful and Aberdeen City Council. One job vacancy and two internships are also available at the Public Interest Research Centre, all relating to work on Common Cause.]]></description>
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<title>Wind Farm Developments Must Benefit Local Communities, says JRF</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 May 2012 17:03:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2321</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2321</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) have published a report arguing that urgent action is needed to ensure that investment in wind farms benefits the communities that are affected by them. The report features a case study of the approach of Argyll and Bute Council to this issue.]]></description>
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<title>Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration – Year 3 Analysis Published</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 17:10:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2320</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2320</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Sustainable Scotland Network and Adaptation Scotland have published two new analyses of Scottish local authority climate change mitigation and adaptation activity for the period 2010-11. The analyses draw on information provided directly by councils in their reports on Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration.]]></description>
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<title>WWF Publishes Living Planet Report 2012</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 17:03:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2319</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2319</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The World Wildlife Fund’s Living Planet Report, published on 15 May, reveals that there has been a 30% decline in the health of species since 1970, and that the global population is consuming 50% more natural resources globally than our planet can sustainably produce.]]></description>
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<title>Cities Must Start to Adapt to Climate Change, say EEA</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 17:01:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2318</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2318</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A major new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) has highlighted that urban areas are particularly at risk from the impacts of climate change. The report states that cities across Europe should start to invest in adaptation measures now to avoid higher costs further down the line.]]></description>
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<title>New Waste (Scotland) Regulations Approved </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 16:59:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2317</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2317</guid>
<description><![CDATA[New Waste (Scotland) Regulations were approved by the Scottish Parliament on 9 May, which will affect collections of dry recyclables and food waste for both businesses and local authorities.]]></description>
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<title>Report Calls for UK Government-led Communications Campaign to Promote New Green Initiatives</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 16:55:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2316</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2316</guid>
<description><![CDATA[In order to secure public uptake of new UK government green initiatives such as the Green Deal, smart meter rollout and the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), a government-backed, national-level communications strategy needs to be put in place, argues a new report.]]></description>
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<title>Environmental Indicators Framework Published</title>
<pubDate>Wed, 9 May 2012 09:53:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2314</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2314</guid>
<description><![CDATA[In early May the Improvement Service published an Environmental Indicators Framework, which has been developed to support the use of environmental indicators within the Menu of Local Outcome Indicators. 
]]></description>
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<title>Natural England Study Highlights Economic Benefits of Green Infrastructure</title>
<pubDate>Wed, 9 May 2012 09:51:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2313</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2313</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A major study conducted by Natural England has found that putting green infrastructure such as parks, gardens and trees at the heart of neighbourhoods can bring significant economic benefits to local areas.
]]></description>
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<title>City of Edinburgh Council Launches Sustainable Edinburgh 2020 Short Video </title>
<pubDate>Wed, 9 May 2012 09:49:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2312</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2312</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The City of Edinburgh Council has made a short video highlighting 20 Council-led initiatives which contribute to its vision for a Sustainable Edinburgh 2020.]]></description>
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<title>New Maps Reveal Projected Changes in Temperature and Precipitation Across Europe</title>
<pubDate>Wed, 9 May 2012 09:43:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2311</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2311</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The European Environment Agency (EEA) have added a series of interactive maps to the new Climate-ADAPT website, showing projected changes in temperature and precipitation across Europe for 2021-2050 and 2071-2100.]]></description>
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<title>SNH Publishes Sharing Good Practice Events Programme 2012-2013</title>
<pubDate>Wed, 9 May 2012 09:39:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2310</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2310</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has published the new programme of events for its ‘Sharing Good Practice’ series. The events cover a wide range of topics – from community growing to Strategic Environmental Assessment – and are aimed at land managers, local authority officers, and those from health, business, education, voluntary and government sectors. The Sharing Good Practice website also contains presentations, reports and useful links from previous events.
]]></description>
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<title>Royal Society: Developed and Emerging Economies Must Stabilise Consumption Levels</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 1 May 2012 16:24:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2309</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2309</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A major report published by the Royal Society on 26 April has urged governments to address the ‘twin issues’ of over-consumption in developed and emerging economies and global population growth.]]></description>
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<title>Scottish Local Authorities – Sustainability Round-Up</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 1 May 2012 16:22:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2308</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2308</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Highland Council launches new Community Benefit policy for renewable energy developments; Aberdeen City Council complete second phase of sustainable council housing development; Aberdeen City Council launches car club; Glasgow City Council launch Food Miles Education Pack for primary schools; Scottish Borders Council runs carbon reduction competition in schools, and; Fife Council's Green Business Fife organise study visit for local businesses to Gaia-Wind.
]]></description>
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<title>Renewables News in Scotland – Round-Up</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 1 May 2012 16:18:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2307</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2307</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Community and Renewable Energy Loan Scheme (CARES) launched; Community Benefit register launched; community and locally owned renewable energy database and report published, and; VisitScotland research shows tourism not affected by wind farms.]]></description>
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<title>University of St Andrews Collates SDC Reports and Case Studies Online</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 1 May 2012 16:15:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2306</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2306</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The University of St Andrews has recently created an online repository to house all reports, responses, case studies and articles that were published by the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) prior to its closure.]]></description>
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<title>NEF Publish ‘Well-being Evidence for Policy: A Review’</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 1 May 2012 16:13:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2305</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2305</guid>
<description><![CDATA[In April, the new economics foundation (nef) published a report reviewing the growing body of well-being evidence from the past 30 years.  The document aims to provide the tools necessary to transfer this academic knowledge into a practical format for policymakers.]]></description>
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<title>Select Committee Says Government Should be Open about Outsourced Emissions</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2298</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2298</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 18 April the Energy and Climate Change Committee published a report warning that territorial-based emissions statistics produced by DECC do not paint a full picture of the UK’s impact on the world’s climate, and urged the Government to be more open about the country’s ‘outsourced emissions’.]]></description>
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<title>PIRC Publish Series of Accessible Climate Change Factsheets</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:56:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2297</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2297</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Public Interest Research Centre (PIRC) have recently published a series of factsheets for climate change communicators and campaigners, which take the latest scientific research and translate it into practical factsheets on a wide range of climate change topics.]]></description>
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<title>Oxfam’s Humankind Index for Scotland Measures our Prosperity Beyond GDP</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:55:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2296</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2296</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 23 April Oxfam Scotland launched the first results from its ‘Humankind Index for Scotland’ project, which aims to assess Scotland’s prosperity through a ‘multi-dimensional measure of prosperity’ that goes beyond traditional economic models such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Index revealed that ‘local’ measures – including access to facilities and living in a clean and healthy environment – were more important to people that factors related to the economy. 
]]></description>
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<title>New Study Monitors Uptake of Green Public Procurement Across the EU</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:53:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2295</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2295</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A new study commissioned by the European Commission has assessed the uptake of Green Public Procurement practices across the 27 countries of the European Union. The study found that an EC target that 50% of all public tendering procedures should be green in the EU by 2010 has not been met.]]></description>
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<title>APSE Report Highlights Vital Role of the ‘Ensuring Council’ in Transition to Green Economy</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:51:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2294</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2294</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A report published this month by the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) brings together the latest thinking and practice on how councils are working to establish prosperous de-carbonised local economies  that are able to compete in the cleantech market, become more resource efficient and adapt to climate change.]]></description>
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<title>Behaviour Change: New Evidence Library from Scottish Government Online</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:57:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2292</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2292</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Scottish Government's Climate Change Behaviours Research Programme (CCBRP) has produced a document library containing sources of evidence on pro-environmental behaviours and behaviour change.
]]></description>
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<title>SPICe Publish Briefing on Climate Change and Health in Scotland</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:56:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2291</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2291</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 10 April the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) published a very useful briefing considering some of the anticipated impacts of climate change on health in Scotland, and associated policy. SPICe have also published other briefings in 2012 related to sustainability.]]></description>
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<title>New Statistics: Emissions and Removals of GHGs from LULUCF Activities 1990-2010</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:53:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2290</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2290</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A report on emissions and removals of greenhouse gases from Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern, Ireland for the period 1990 – 2010 was published on 13 April.]]></description>
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<title>Formal Launch of ClimateXChange</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:50:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2289</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2289</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ClimateXChange, the centre that delivers expert evidence to support the Scottish Government in relation to its activities on climate change, was formally launched in early April. Some of the research prepared by ClimateXChange for the Scottish Government is now available to view online.]]></description>
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<title>Publications Spotlight: Latest TEEB Report and State of the World 2012</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:48:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2288</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2288</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 18 April, the latest volume in the TEEB (The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity) publication series was published, focusing on the application of the TEEB approach to local and regional policy and management. The Worldwatch Institute has also recently published the latest work in its flagship State of the World series, which showcases policies and approaches that are advancing sustainable development in the twenty-first century. 
]]></description>
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<title>Green Alliance: What People Really Think About the Environment</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:49:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2287</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2287</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A new report published on 4 April by the environmental think tank Green Alliance reveals that the British public remain concerned about environmental issues, and are supportive of solutions to address climate change. 
]]></description>
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<title>SSN Now Has Over 500 Twitter Followers</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:48:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2286</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2286</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN) has now attracted over 500 followers to its Twitter account. Alongside the 670+ subscribers to our weekly bulletin, this represents a substantial following for SSN’s regular updates on climate change and sustainability news and policy developments.]]></description>
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<title>UK Government Publish Heat Strategy</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:44:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2285</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2285</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 29 March the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) published a Heat Strategy, setting out its vision of how the UK government can cut emissions from heating homes, businesses and industry between now and 2050.]]></description>
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<title>WWF UK: Report Assesses Local Authority Wood and Paper Procurement</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2284</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2284</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A new report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has assessed UK local authorities’ policies and actions on the environmentally responsible purchasing of timber and paper products. The report, which is based on survey responses from local authorities, forms part of WWF’s ‘What Wood You Choose?’ campaign that highlights the impact of using illegal and unsustainable wood and wood products.]]></description>
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<title>CCC Recommends Inclusion of Shipping and Aviation Emissions in UK Carbon Budgets</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2283</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2283</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A report published on 5 April by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) stated that there is no longer any reason to exclude international aviation and shipping emissions from UK carbon budgets. 
]]></description>
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<title>Local Action for a Sustainable Scotland - Conference Report Published</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 3 Apr 2012 14:09:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>News And Views</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2282</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2282</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) has published a report of the Sustainable Scotland Network Conference 2011. The report contains a summary of the key messages, presentations, and case studies presented at the SSN Conference on 10th November 2011. ]]></description>
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<title>DECC Publish Provisional Stats for 2011 UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 2 Apr 2012 17:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2281</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2281</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 29 March the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) published provisional 2011 estimates of UK greenhouse gas emissions, together with final estimates of 2010 UK greenhouse gas emissions by fuel type and end-user.
]]></description>
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<title>Research Assesses Carbon Strategies across 60 UK Cities</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 2 Apr 2012 17:37:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2280</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2280</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A new report from the Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development analyses the carbon strategies from the 60 largest UK cities and assesses how successfully each has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions. The report highlights that local low carbon action by cities will be vital if the UK is to meet its carbon targets.
]]></description>
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<title>Scottish Government and COSLA agree ‘Statement of Ambition’</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 2 Apr 2012 17:35:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2279</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2279</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 15 March the Scottish Government and leaders of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) agreed a ‘Statement of Ambition’ that puts community planning partnerships and Single Outcome Agreements (SOAs) "at the core of public service reform".
]]></description>
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<title>New Stats Reveal Increases in Renewable Electricity Generated in Scotland</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 2 Apr 2012 17:33:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2278</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2278</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Scottish Government announced on 29 March that the amount of renewable electricity generated in 2011 rose 45% on 2010 to 13,750 Gigawatt hours.
]]></description>
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<title>UK Government: CRC to be Simplified or Replaced – Consultation Launched</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:32:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2265</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2265</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 27 March the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) launched a consultation setting out proposals to simplify the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC EES). The consultation follows in the wake of Chancellor George Osborne’s Budget statement last week, in which he said the scheme would be replaced with an alternative environmental tax if 'major savings in the administrative cost of the Commitment for business' could not be found.
]]></description>
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<title>Renewables News in Scotland – Round-Up</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2264</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2264</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Scottish Government announces £103m Renewable Energy Investment Fund; 800 renewables jobs to be created at manufacturer Gamesa’s Edinburgh plant; Scottish Parliament Renewables Inquiry begins evidence sessions; and Consumer Focus Scotland report highlights benefits to rural residents of switching to renewable heat.]]></description>
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<title>Party Leaders Pledge to Deliver Scotland’s Climate Targets Ahead of Earth Hour 2012</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:26:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2263</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2263</guid>
<description><![CDATA[All five of Scotland’s main political leaders pledged on 24 March to ensure Scotland delivers on its world-leading climate change targets. The announcement comes ahead of WWF’s global Earth Hour event on 31 March, during which cities and individuals across the world will switch off their lights for one hour to highlight the impacts of climate change.]]></description>
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<title>Behaviour Change:  Further In-depth Reports on Engaging Staff in Low Carbon Workplace Initiatives </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:23:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2262</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2262</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Following the Scottish Government’s publication of a good practice guide on 13 March setting out how organisations can engage employees in low carbon initiatives in the workplace, a further in-depth report and a detailed case study report supporting the guide have now been published.]]></description>
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<title>Major New Website Supports Practitioners in Climate Change Adaptation</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:20:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2261</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2261</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A major new website developed by the European Commission (EC) on 23 March aims to support policy makers and practitioners across Europe in adapting to climate change. 
]]></description>
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<title>Behaviour Change: New Guidance on Engaging Staff in Low Carbon Workplace Initiatives</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:32:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2260</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2260</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 13 March the Scottish Government published new guidance, setting out how organisations can engage employees in low carbon initiatives in the workplace, and why this makes strong business sense. 
]]></description>
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<title>Environmental Placement Programme - Seeking Partner Organisations</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:29:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2259</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2259</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Run by the Green Business Partnership, the Environmental Placement Programme (EPP) places students within the Scottish public and private sector to undertake projects with an environmental focus. The EPP provides organisations with focused, low cost practical environmental support, whilst providing students with paid work experience in a commercial environment. Organisations, including local authorities, are invited to register their interest in taking part in the scheme.
]]></description>
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<title>£50,000 Prize Offered to Produce App to Help Businesses Go Green</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:26:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2258</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2258</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 12 March, the Scottish Government, SSE, SEPA and Microsoft jointly launched a national competition for software developers to produce an app that will assist small and medium-sized businesses in Scotland in reducing their carbon emissions. A prize of £50,000 will be awarded to the winning entry.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Job Vacancies: Crichton Carbon Centre</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:24:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2257</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2257</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Crichton Carbon Centre is seeking to appoint two new positions to join its Environmentally Sustainable Process Improvement (ESPI) Programme team – Business Development Specialist and Lead Sustainable Business Advisor.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Procurement: Developing Markets for Third Sector Providers</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:21:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2256</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2256</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Officially launched by Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney, in January, the £1.5 million Developing Markets for Third Sector Providers programme aims to raise awareness amongst the public sector buying community of what the third sector can offer in terms of service delivery options.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Defra Stats Show UK Consumption Based Carbon Footprint Rose 20 Per cent between 1990-2009</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:16:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2253</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2253</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Official statistics released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (defra) on 8 March estimating carbon dioxide emissions relating to UK consumption revealed that the UK’s ‘consumption based’ carbon footprint in 2009 was 20 per cent higher than in 1990.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Green Investment Bank to be Headquartered in Edinburgh</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:14:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2252</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2252</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The UK’s first Green Investment Bank will have its headquarters in Edinburgh and a further team based in London. Making the announcement on 8 March, Business Secretary Vince Cable said that siting the bank across two locations will "support the Green Investment Bank’s ambition to become a world leader".]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Home Insulation Statistics Released – UK and Regional</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:11:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2251</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2251</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has published estimates for the number of homes in Great Britain with loft, cavity wall and solid wall insulation up to January 2012. The Energy Saving Trust has also published a summary of professionally installed cavity wall and loft insulation up to September 2011, broken down by English regions, Scotland and Wales.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Scottish Government  ups Funding for Fairtrade Town Development</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:07:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2250</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2250</guid>
<description><![CDATA[As part of Scotland’s bid to be recognised as a Fair Trade Nation, the Scottish Government announced additional funding for the Scottish Fair Trade Forum to increase the number of Fairtrade towns in the country.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Behaviour Change: NEF Report on Using ‘Moments of Change’ to Influence Behaviour</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:04:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2249</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2249</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The new economics foundation (nef) has published a report completed for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (defra), exploring whether ‘moments of change’ in people’s lives present a significant opportunity to encourage individuals to adopt more environmentally sustainable behaviours.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Local Authority Recycling Statistics Published by SEPA</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 6 Mar 2012 16:43:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2244</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2244</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 27 February the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) published Scottish local authority recycling statistics for the period July-September 2011. On average, councils recycled 43.6% of household waste collected during this period – on a par with the average for the previous quarter.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Local Authority Sustainability News – Latest Action in England</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 6 Mar 2012 16:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2243</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2243</guid>
<description><![CDATA[DECC publishes short case study of the Big Energy Upgrade project coordinated by Kirklees Council; Wrexham Council installs 30,000 solar panels on 3,000 council homes; Birmingham City Council consults on a new supplementary planning document which emphasises sustainable development; and Bristol launches online map that rates every building in the city on its suitability for solar panel installation.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Local Authority Sustainability News – Latest Action in Europe</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 6 Mar 2012 16:33:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2242</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2242</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ICLEI, the international association of local governments for sustainability, continues to profile examples of sustainability action being taken forward by councils in Europe and beyond. Recent highlights include: Bologna wins European Mobility Week Award for its promotion of sustainable transport to residents; Stockholm unveils new green urban planning initiative; Freiburg undertakes a major behaviour change project with single and family households; and Vitoria-Gasteiz introduces bicycle parking in refurbished basements.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>APSE Report Shows Renewable Energy Schemes can Stimulate Local Economies</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 6 Mar 2012 16:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2241</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2241</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A report published in late February by the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) provides evidence that local government-led renewable energy schemes can stimulate local economies and deliver environmental benefits.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>JRF Report: How can Local Government Build Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods?</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 6 Mar 2012 16:26:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2240</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2240</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 21 February the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)published a ‘solutions paper’, exploring how local government can contribute to the building of more homes and stronger communities, based on direct experience of thirteen new communities in ten different English towns and cities.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Help Keep Scotland Beautiful - Register for National Spring Clean 2012</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:56:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2238</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2238</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful is encouraging people across the country to take part in their biggest volunteer campaign - National Spring Clean 2012 - and organise a litter-pick event in their local neighbourhood. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Greenspace Scotland Publishes Second State of Scotland's Greenspace Report</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:53:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2237</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2237</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Scottish charity Greenspace Scotland has recently published its Second State of Scotland’s Greenspace Report, revealing the extent and type of urban greenspace in all 32 Scottish local authority areas.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee Publish Fuel Povery Report</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:49:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2236</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2236</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 22 February the Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee published a report setting out the Committee’s initial findings in relation to a series of evidence sessions to examine fuel poverty issues and rising energy prices in Scotland.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Climate Group Report Shows Business Benefits of Electric Vehicles</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:47:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2235</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2235</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 21 February the Climate Group, in collaboration with the Energy Saving Trust and Cenex, published a report demonstrating the economic and environmental benefits of employing electric vehicles (EVs) in fleets.
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Greater London Authority Group - Delivering Responsible Procurement Progress Report</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2234</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2234</guid>
<description><![CDATA[In February the Greater London Authority (GLA) group published a progress report on its Responsible Procurement programme, which aims to pioneer socially, environmentally and economically responsible procurement to deliver improved quality of life and better value for money for the city of London.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>DECC Announce Reforms to Feed in Tariff Scheme</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:10:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2223</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2223</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Following the consultation on Feed in Tariffs (FITs) for solar PV in late 2011, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) published its plans for the future of the scheme on 9 February. DECC has also published details of two new consultations, on solar PV cost controls and on tariffs for FIT technologies other than PV.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Scottish Local Authorities - Sustainability Round Up</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:05:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2222</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2222</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Four council make progress on Fairtrade, City of Edinburgh Council working with fleet operators to reduce emissions, Dundee City Council supports car club scheme, Falkirk Council consults on Zero Waste Strategy, and Shetland Council holds free carbon coaching workshop for local businesses.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Aberdeen City Council - Sustainability Round Up</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:03:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2221</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2221</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Aberdeen City Council have made a number of announcements over the last couple of months on sustainability and climate change developments. These include: a project to deploy hydrogen buses in the region; the extension of Aberdeen's Combined Heat and Power district heating network; a new initiative to engage council staff in reducing waste and energy; and the introduction of a car club for the city. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>UNEP Publish New Briefing Note on Sustainable Public Procurement</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2220</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2220</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A new briefing paper has recently been prepared on behalf of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Procurement Capacity Development Centre (UNPCDC). The paper aims to provide a current understanding of sustainable public procurement (SPP), and to share approaches in the area of SPP which could be adapted to the regional, national or local context.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Carbon Trust/Guardian Survey: Commitment to Carbon Reduction Highest in Public Sector</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:59:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2219</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2219</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A recent survey by the Carbon Trust in association with the Guardian, published on 8 February, found that 58% of public sector agencies plan to make "tangible investments" in carbon reduction during 2012. This figure was lower for both businesses and the voluntary sector, at 46.4% and 33% respectively.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Scottish Public Sector Sustainability Reporting Guidance Published</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 7 Feb 2012 17:34:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2217</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2217</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 23 January the Scottish Government published advisory guidance aimed at assisting the production of Sustainability Reports alongside Annual Reports and Accounts, from the 2011/12 financial year. The guidance is intended for Scottish Government Departments, Executive Agencies, non-Departmental Public Bodies, non–Ministerial Departments, Crown Office and Health Boards. Although it does not extend to Local Authorities or other public bodies, the guidance is expected to be of interest to them.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>SSN Holds First National Network Meeting of 2012</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 7 Feb 2012 17:33:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2216</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2216</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 24 January, the Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN) held its first national members' meeting of the year. Around 40 sustainable development officers and other local government colleagues attended the event in Edinburgh, which profiled a range of case studies on the topic of engaging and supporting schools on sustainable development and climate change. Presentations from the day are now available on the SSN website.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Behaviour Change: New Online Gateway to Climate Change Communication Research</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 7 Feb 2012 17:31:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2215</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2215</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A new website aims to bring together the latest research evidence on climate change communication, ensuring that it is accessible to both academics and practitioners. The website, Talking Climate, is a partnership project between the Climate Outreach and Information Network (COIN), the Public Interest Research Centre (PIRC) and Nottingham University School of Sociology and Social Policy.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>UN Global Sustainability Panel Issues Blueprint for Sustainable Development</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 7 Feb 2012 17:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2214</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2214</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 30 January the UN High-level Panel on Global Sustainability published a major new report containing 56 recommendations to put sustainable development into practice and to mainstream it into economic policy. 'Resilient People, Resilient Planet: A Future Worth Choosing' is the final report from the 22-member Panel, which was established in 2010 by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to develop a new 'blueprint' for the planet's sustainable future.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Committee on Climate Change Publishes First Progress Report on Emissions Reduction in Scotland</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:57:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2211</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2211</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Climate Change Committee (CCC) published its first progress report on emissions reduction in Scotland on 31 January. The CCC, UK Government's independent advisors on climate change, stated that Scotland had made 'good progress' to reduce emissions since 2009, but that new policies would be required to sustain this progress.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>First Climate Change Risk Assessment for UK and Scotland Published</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:55:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2210</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2210</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 25 January the UK Government published the first assessment of the impacts the UK is facing from climate change. The Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) presents the latest evidence on the threats and opportunities of climate change for the UK to the end of the century. The CCRA consists of a number of reports, including 'a Climate Change Risk Assessment for Scotland'. A summary of the Scotland report is also available.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Climate Change and its Effects on Scotland’s Landscapes – New Research from SNH </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:50:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2209</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2209</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The impact of climate change and sea level rise on Scotland’s landscapes are explored in two major new reports from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>City of Edinburgh Council Publishes Sustainable Procurement Policy and Makes Gold WWF Pledge</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:34:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2208</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2208</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 24 January, the City of Edinburgh Council announced publication of its new Sustainable Procurement Policy and revised Sustainable Timber Policy, detailing how the council will buy goods in a way that brings about social and economic benefits whilst minimising environmental damage. On the same day, the Council announced it had become the first Scottish local authority to make a WWF 'gold pledge', ensuring that it will only purchase timber and wood-derived products from sustainable and legal sources.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Job Vacancy: Greenspace Officer, Dundee City Council</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:32:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2207</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2207</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Dundee City Council is currently advertising for a Greenspace Officer. The post holder will work as part of an interdepartmental team to ensure that Dundee has a varied and diverse Tree, Woodland and Greenspace resource delivering multiple benefits to the people of the City. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Behaviour Change: New National Campaign Urges Scotland to 'Go Greener Together'</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:23:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2205</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2205</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 17 January the Scottish Government launched a new national campaign that seeks to empower everyone to go 'greener together' and play their part in creating a greener, cleaner Scotland.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Scottish Government Announces New Sustainable Transport Funding Package </title>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:21:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2204</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2204</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Scottish Government last week announced details of a new four year sustainable transport fund. The Future Transport Fund is a four year £50 million funding package targeted at improving cycling infrastructure, shifting freight from road to rail and supporting low carbon vehicles.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Scotland's 2020 Climate Group Agree Priorities for 2012</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:12:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2203</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2203</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 12 January, Scotland's 2020 Climate Group published its '12 priorities for 2012', highlighting key actions the group will address over the next twelve months to support the achievement of Scotland's climate change targets. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Scottish Local Authorities: Sustainability Round-up</title>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:10:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2202</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2202</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Fife Council benchmarking study reviews progress of local microgeneration market, Aberdeenshire Council teams up with charity to encourage composting and increase recycling rate, and City of Edinburgh Council increases number of electric vehicles across its Community Planning Partnership.]]></description>
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<title>Scottish Government Launch Scottish Energy and Resource Efficiency Service </title>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:08:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2201</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2201</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 19 January the Scottish Government announced the launch of a new Scottish Energy and Resource Efficiency Service (SERES) web portal, which aims to integrate the support currently provided by Carbon Trust, Energy Saving Trust and Zero Waste Scotland and others to Scottish businesses and public sector organisations. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Leaked Agenda Reveals Key Aims for Rio+20</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:21:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2199</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2199</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 10 January the Guardian newspaper reported on a leaked document containing a draft agenda of the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, to be held in June 2012. The agenda reveals that participating governments will be asked to adopt 10 sustainable development goals, the exact nature of which will be agreed by countries in advance of the conference. The goals, which will be measurable and introduced in 2015, are expected to cover key topics including oceans, food, energy, water, consumption and sustainable cities.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>European Commission Adopts Energy Roadmap 2050</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:20:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2198</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2198</guid>
<description><![CDATA[In December 2011 the European Commission adopted the Energy Roadmap 2050, which sets out how the EU can meet its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050, while improving Europe's competitiveness and security of supply.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Behaviour Change: Free Online Tool to Engage Staff with Energy Efficiency</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:18:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2197</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2197</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 5 January the Carbon Trust published a free online tool - Carbon Trust Empower - to help engage staff in cutting energy use, paper waste and travel. The interactive tool enables employees to make practical commitments through an interactive animated tour of a typical workplace.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>EST: Fuel Efficient Driver Training Offer</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:16:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2196</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2196</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Subsidised by Transport Scotland, the Energy Saving Trust are offering Fuel Efficient Driver Training sessions to help organisations reduce carbon impact, save money and improve their environmental credentials. A day of 8 subsidised sessions costs £80 plus VAT (normal price £300 plus VAT) for the public sector, community organisations and private businesses with less than 30 people - equating to a cost of £10 + VAT per driver.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Local Authority Resources Available from CLASP</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:15:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2195</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2195</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The local authority and public sector sustainability support service for the NW of England - CLASP - has recently published a 'map' of some of the key tools and resources it has published over the past three years. Policy guidance, case studies, presentations, and fact-sheets are all freely available on a range of topics including: renewable energy, adaptation, local transport and green finance.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Scottish Government Publish Land Use Strategy Action Plan</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:01:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2193</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2193</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Following the publication of the Land Use Strategy in March 2011, the Scottish Government have published an accompanying Land Use Strategy Action Plan on 21 December 2011. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Nominations Open for Scottish Green List Awards 2012</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:59:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2192</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2192</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Scottish Green List 2012 awards celebrate the passion, drive and bright ideas of people of all ages, working to make a difference to sustainable development in Scotland. Nominations forms for award scheme are now available from the dedicated website.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Advice for Local Authorities on Sustainable Timber Procurement</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:57:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2191</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2191</guid>
<description><![CDATA[WWF-UK and CPET (Central Point of Expertise on Timber Procurement) both offer free helplines to the public sector, to assist and advise on various aspects of the procurement of sustainable timber and timber products. ]]></description>
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<title>Good Places Better Health for Scotland's Children</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:56:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2190</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2190</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 20 December 2011, an independent expert evaluation group published a report on behalf of the Scottish Government which considered what is needed to deliver places that nurture good health for children. The authors concluded that “getting things right on place in central to optimising health for Scotland’s children.”, and that local authorities and community planning partnerships play an important part in implementing change in this area.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Resource Revolution: meeting the world’s energy, materials, food and water needs</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:52:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2189</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2189</guid>
<description><![CDATA[All the price declines of the past 100 years have been erased within the last 10 years, due to increasing demand from emerging markets such as Asia. A recent report by McKinsey and Company examines the stress on the global resource system, and how it can be met. The report argues that over the next 20 years, “resources needs to be put at the heart of public policy and business strategy”. ]]></description>
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<title>ICLEI Europe Launches Sustainable Procurement Resources</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:26:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2175</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2175</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 16 December ICLEI Europe - the organisation of local governments committed to sustainability - launched three major websites to assist procurers, policy makers and others to apply sustainable procurement practises in their area. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Behaviour Change: DECC Report on Energy Behaviour</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:25:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2174</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2174</guid>
<description><![CDATA[In December, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) published a report introducing some of the key models and theories of behaviour change in relation to domestic energy use, in order to better understand how policies might be developed to change 'energy behaviours'.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>CCC Analyse Factors Causing Household Energy Bill Rises</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:24:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2173</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2173</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 15 December the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) published a report analysing the impact of meeting carbon budgets on household energy bills, which concluded that recent rises in bills are largely attributable to increases in wholesale gas costs.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>EST Report Highlights Benefits of LED to Social Housing</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:23:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2172</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2172</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 16 December the Energy Saving Trust (EST) launched a report documenting the findings of a field trial of LED lights in social housing that revealed increases in light levels, colour temperature and good maintenance of performance over time, as well as considerable energy and long-term cost savings.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>SFHA Thermal Imaging Project To Be Rolled Out Across Scotland</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:21:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2171</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2171</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 19 December the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) announced that 30,000 housing association and co-operative homes will be scanned with thermal imaging software this winter, to identify and prioritise where insulation measures can best be deployed. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Audit Scotland Report: Reducing Scottish Greenhouse Gas Emissions</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:45:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2167</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2167</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Audit Scotland published a report on 8 December assessing progress and plans to reduce Scottish emissions over the period to 2020. While the report said that the country had made good progress in cutting emissions, it describes Scotland’s climate change targets as ‘ambitious’ and underlines that the Scottish Government is dependent on the action of both the UK and Europe to achieve its goals. The report also estimated that the total cost of achieving Scotland’s targets would be in the region of £10-£11 billion. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Scottish Local Authority: Sustainability Round-Up</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:43:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2166</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2166</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Aberdeenshire Council publishes new Community Asset Transfer Policy, Aberdeen City Council wins EPSA award for carbon work, Glasgow City Council consults on Open Space Strategy and opens new allotment, and Clackmannanshire Council works with students to improve sustainability.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Scottish Local Authority: Further Sustainability News</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:40:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2165</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2165</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Fife Council win Green Apple Award for smoke detector work, Aberdeen City Council Carbon Management Plan progress update, energy efficiency plans at Falkirk Council, and East Lothian Council takes delivery of electric van.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Scotland State of the Environment Report Launched Via New SEWeb</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:36:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2164</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2164</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 29 November, SEPA published its second major assessment of the condition of Scotland’s environment. Amongst its findings, the State of the Environment Report highlighted that the country was moving in the right direction with regard to tackling climate change, but needed to do more. The report was launched via SEPA’s new SEWeb service, which aims to become a hub for all information and data relating to Scotland’s environment.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Measuring and Improving Well-Being: Recent Reports and Resources</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:29:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2163</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2163</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The measurement and promotion of well-being is of increasing importance to local government and other agencies. Some recent reports and resources include: a research report by the Office of National Statistics on how UK adults rate their own well-being, a report by the new economics foundation (nef) on how local authorities can implement actions to improve well-being, and a further nef report exploring well-being from different political perspectives.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Resources from SSN Conference Now Online</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 6 Dec 2011 17:08:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2162</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2162</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Resources from the SSN Annual Conference - including videos of the ‘quick-fire’ case study presentations that were delivered at the event and a compendium of 28 case study posters - are now available to download online.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation Consultation</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 6 Dec 2011 17:06:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2161</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2161</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) published a consultation on the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) on 23 November, as part of the Energy and Climate Change Secretary’s Annual Energy Statement to Parliament.  The Green Deal, to be launched in October next year, will provide for the installation of energy efficiency measures in homes at no upfront cost, with repayments made over time out of the energy savings.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>UK Carbon Plan Published</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 6 Dec 2011 17:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2160</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2160</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 1 December the UK Government published its Carbon Plan, setting out how the Government plans to meet its long-term carbon targets over the course of the current decade, the 2020s and beyond.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Climate Change Committee Reports on Scottish Progress on Adaptation</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 6 Dec 2011 16:54:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2159</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2159</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 24 November the Adaptation Sub-Committee (ASC) of the UK Committee on Climate Change published its first assessment of the Scottish Government’s progress on adapting the country to the impacts of climate change.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Interactive DECC Maps Visualise Local Authority Datasets</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 6 Dec 2011 16:52:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2158</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2158</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) have recently published a series of interactive maps that bring together DECC’s Local Authority datasets into one place and allow users to view trends in fuel poverty, energy use and energy efficiency measures.]]></description>
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<title>Scottish Councils Commit to More Responsible Timber</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2153</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2153</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Nineteen councils across Scotland have made a pledge with WWF to help protect forests by improving the sustainability of their wood and paper purchases. Conservation organisation WWF is working with Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN) and the UK government’s Central Point of Expertise on Timber Procurement (CPET) to support local authorities to procure their forest products responsibly, by asking them to make a pledge as part of WWF’s What Wood You Choose? campaign.]]></description>
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<title>Behaviour Change: DfT Publishes Behavioural Insights Toolkit </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:39:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2152</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2152</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Earlier this month the Department for Transport (DfT) published a practical toolkit for delivery partners - including local authorities – who wish to apply the latest behavioural insights in the development of policies or initiatives in the transport context. The toolkit is designed to assist users in reviewing and developing transport policies and initiatives to ensure they take full advantage of the current evidence base and insights from behavioural theory.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>DfT Report Documents Experience and Potential of Alternatives to Travel</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:36:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2151</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2151</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Alternatives to travel are measures which can reduce or remove the need to travel, particularly for work, including home- and remote-working, and video-conferencing. Following an earlier Call for Evidence on alternatives to travel, the Department for Transport (DfT) published a report on 17 November documenting organisations’ experiences of this issue. The report includes: an outline of the benefits of adopting alternatives to travel, case studies and existing forms of support, and news of a new initiative that will support organisations who wish to improve in this area. ]]></description>
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<title>ECCI Event: Low Carbon Enterprise and Innovation Showcase  </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:26:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2150</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2150</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI) will host its first Low Carbon Enterprise and Innovation Showcase in Edinburgh in January 2012. The Showcase provides an opportunity for over 40 Scottish low carbon businesses and entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative low carbon business, product or service and network with the most influential investors, serial-entrepreneurs and industry partners from across Scotland and Europe. The ECCI will be hosting further events in January on the theme of low carbon entrepreneurship and investment.]]></description>
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<title>Report: How Local Authorities Can Encourage Take-up of Low-Carbon Vehicles</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:24:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2149</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2149</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Published on 3 November, a report commissioned by the RAC Foundation has sought to explore the extent to which local authorities are influencing the use of low-carbon vehicles in their localities. The report sets out the powers that are available to local authorities to encourage the adoption and use of low-carbon vehicles in their areas, and also seeks to explore how these powers are being used in practice.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>CRC Performance League Table Published</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2148</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2148</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The first Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme Performance League Table (CRC PLT) was published by the Environment Agency on 8 November. In terms of local authority performance, councils in Scotland, the South West, the West Midlands and the North East were best overall. Local Energy – the social enterprise established by the LGiU to assist organisations manage risks associated with climate change – has on 14 November published key findings from the PLT. ]]></description>
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<title>Scottish Government Publish ‘Green Infrastructure: Design and Placemaking’</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:35:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2147</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2147</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 8 November the Scottish Government published a document which provides practical tips on incorporating green infrastructure in masterplans. The new publication builds on two earlier documents, ‘Designing Places’ and ‘Designing Streets’ and is aimed at planners, landscape architects, developers, housebuilders and others involved in shaping built and green environments.]]></description>
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<title>WWF-Scotland Report Launch: How to put electric cars on Scotland's roads</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:31:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2146</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2146</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 1 December, WWF Scotland will host a roundtable event with the Transport Minister Keith Brown MSP and key stakeholders in the electric vehicle industry to launch WWF Scotland's new report, ‘Powering Ahead: how to put electric cars on Scotland's roads’.]]></description>
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<title>EC Publishes Updated Handbook on Green Public Procurement</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:29:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2145</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2145</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 25 October  the European Commission published a fully revised version of ‘Buying Green! – A handbook on green public procurement’. The handbook, first published in 2004, is designed to help public authorities to buy goods and services with a lower environmental impact.]]></description>
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<title>Attitudes of Public Towards Sustainability Revealed in New Survey</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:26:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2144</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2144</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Supermarket chain ASDA has recently published the findings of an 8-month survey of 6,000 of its customers, which explored their values, attitudes and behaviours around sustainability. ASDA states that comparative surveys show that the wider UK population mirrors their panel of customers, making their sustainability survey ‘a barometer for the whole UK public’.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Local Action for a Sustainable Scotland</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 8 Nov 2011 16:25:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2143</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2143</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On Thursday 10th November over 200 delegates will gather at the COSLA Conference Centre in Edinburgh for this 2011 SSN Conference. The audience will reflect a wide range of public sector organisations, private sector companies and community groups – an ideal audience to share experience of aligning public, private and community sector action for a low carbon, well-adapting, sustainable Scotland.]]></description>
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<title>Scottish Government Reaction to Solar PV/FIT Consultation</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 8 Nov 2011 09:48:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2142</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2142</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 3 November Scottish Government Energy Minister Fergus Ewing attacked the UK Government’s proposed cuts to Feed In Tariffs (FITs) for solar panels, describing the potential changes as a ‘body blow’ for the solar sector. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>District Heating Loans Announced</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 8 Nov 2011 09:33:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2141</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2141</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 6 November the Scottish Government announced that it has offered nine projects loans totalling £1.9million to develop district heating schemes. It was further announced by Energy Minister Fergus Ewing that an Expert Commission on the delivery of district heating has been established, in a bid to accelerate the development of such schemes in Scotland. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Scottish Government: Planning Case Studies Online</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 8 Nov 2011 09:28:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2140</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2140</guid>
<description><![CDATA[As part of the Scottish Government's 'Delivering Planning Reform' programme a set of over 60 case studies are now available highlighting examples of the new planning system in practice. Some of the new case studies have a strong sustainability focus.]]></description>
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<title>DECC Publishes Great Britain Housing Energy Fact File 2011</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 8 Nov 2011 09:17:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2139</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2139</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has recently published its ‘Great Britain Housing Energy Fact File 2011’. This publication covers the period from 1970 to 2009, and aims to draw together most of the important data about energy use in homes in Great Britain. The Fact File aims to support informed decision making about how to reduce energy use and CO2 emissions from homes.]]></description>
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<title>Consultation on Feed-in Tariffs for Solar PV</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 1 Nov 2011 17:40:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2136</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2136</guid>
<description><![CDATA[DECC have launched a consultation on Feed in Tariffs (FITs) for small scale renewables (under 5MW). The consultation is the first of two on the comprehensive review of the FITs that were announced at the start of the year and will close on the 23rd of December 2011.]]></description>
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<title>English Councils Scaling Back on Climate Change, Survey Reveals</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 1 Nov 2011 17:37:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2135</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2135</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A survey undertaken by the Green Alliance has revealed that climate change work has narrowed, is very weak or absent in 65% of local authorities in England. The survey forms part of a report by the environmental think tank, which argues that the UK government's localism agenda and an absence of central targets have led many local authorities to scale back work to tackle climate change. ]]></description>
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<title>Doing more with less – how European countries are planning to become more resource efficient</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 1 Nov 2011 17:31:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2134</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2134</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The European Environment Agency (EEA) have recently surveyed a number of European countries to find out about strategies and policies they are employing to increase resource efficiency. 
]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Event: Bridging the Gap Between Business and Community Groups</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 1 Nov 2011 17:07:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2133</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2133</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Climate Challenge Fund's Community Action and Support Programme (CASP) organises events and training for any community tackling climate change. CASP and Scottish Business in the Community (SBC) are jointly hosting two free events in November and December, that aim to enable the development of effective partnerships between businesses and community groups. ]]></description>
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<title>Behaviour Change: IBM Summit on Engaging the Sustainable Consumer</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 1 Nov 2011 17:04:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2132</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2132</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A summit taking place on 1 November, will bring business leaders together to address the role of business in catalysing sustainable behaviour change in British consumers. The event is jointly organised by  IBM, The Marketing Society and Start, the national initiative by the Prince’s Charities Foundation to promote sustainable living.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>SSN Conference 2011 Full to Bursting</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:25:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2120</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2120</guid>
<description><![CDATA[This year’s Sustainable Scotland Network conference – 'Local Action for a Sustainable Scotland' – is now fully booked with a capacity audience of 200 delegates. Late comers are being put on a reserve list and allocated a space only if cancellations arise. Considering the financial climate, this is a fantastic endorsement of the value of the event and a clear indication of on-going interest in sustainable development and climate change action in Scotland.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Major Study Finds Reliable Evidence of Global Warming</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:20:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2119</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2119</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The preliminary findings of a major new study on global warming have revealed 'reliable evidence' of a rise in the average world land temperature of approximately 1°C since the mid-1950s. The Berkeley Earth Surface Temperature study is the first study to merge and analyse nearly all the available data on surface temperature, combining 1.6 billion temperature reports from 15 pre-existing data archives.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Scottish Public Bodies to Receive £4.2mn For Low Carbon Vehicle Investment</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:17:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2118</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2118</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Scottish Government announced on 24 October that local authorities and their community planning partners are to receive £4.2 million to invest in the purchase of low carbon vehicles and the development of a network of charging points.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Longannet CCS Demonstration Project Scrapped</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:15:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2117</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2117</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Chris Huhne, announced on 19 October that the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) demonstration project at Longannet power station in Fife will not proceed. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Local Authorities Encouraged to Take Part in Waste Reduction Week</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:12:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2116</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2116</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Taking place between 19-27 November, the third European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) aims to encourage local action, to reduce the amount of European waste being produced. Supported by the LIFE+ Programme of the European Commission, EWWR seeks to raise awareness of ways to minimise waste, as well as encourage change in everyday behaviour. Local authorities, businesses, charities, community groups, schools and universities are being encouraged to take part by organising an action in their local area.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Scottish Local Authorities - Sustainability Round-Up</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:40:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2115</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2115</guid>
<description><![CDATA[East Lothian Council reports on progress against carbon reduction targets; Highland Council and 20 other organisations report on progress against joint Climate Change Declaration, and; West Lothian Council commits resources to developing renewables opportunities. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Scottish Local Authorities - Further Sustainability News</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:17:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2114</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2114</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Dumfries and Galloway pledge to halve construction waste by 2012; Fife Council set to create 25 new allotments; Aberdeen City establish new Zero Waste Sub-Committee; Dundee City Council work with social enterprise to reuse carpet tiles, and; South Lanarkshire work with SPT to encourage car sharing to train stations.  ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Schools Global Footprint Resource Re-fresh and Re-launch by Education Scotland</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:02:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2113</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2113</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Schools Global Footprint Resource, which allows schools to measure and then take action to reduce their GHG and ecological footprint, has been refreshed and is now live on the Education Scotland website.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Resource: Carbon Literacy E-Learning Modules</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:50:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2112</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2112</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 12 October, Defra's SD Scene news bulletin reported that the National Sustainable Public Procurement Programme (NSPPP) has launched a new carbon literacy e-learning resource. Jointly developed by Defra, the Department of Health, NHS bodies and the EU-funded Clear About Carbon project, the free course aims to develop awareness and understanding of the terminology and principles associated with the greenhouse effect and climate change.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Carbon Accounting Conference – Edinburgh</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:44:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2111</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2111</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The 4th International Conference on Carbon Accounting will take place on 25 November in Edinburgh. Organised by ICARB, the event will highlight the need to develop consistent, accurate carbon accounting methodologies in order to effectively track progress on meeting carbon reduction targets.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Profile: Hamburg - 2011 European Green Capital</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2109</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2109</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The German city of Hamburg is the winner of the European Commission's 2011 Green Capital Award. Hamburg's Green Capital website contains a full overview of the city's green projects, plans and initiatives, that have led to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 15% compared to 1990 levels.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Behaviour Change: WWF-Scotland Publishes 'Natural Change' Report</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:53:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2108</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2108</guid>
<description><![CDATA[WWF Scotland has recently published a report profiling findings from its 2010/11 'Natural Change' project, a programme that works with people who hold positions of influence in society. Through a series of residential wilderness workshops, the project aims to support the growth of participants' personal experiences on the Project into 'leadership and social action for an ecologically sustainable future'.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>EU Emissions Increase in 2010, but Long-Term Decrease Continues</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:02:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2107</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2107</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The European Environment Agency (EEA) announced on 7 October that the European Union experienced an estimated 2.4% increase in greenhouse gas emissions in 2010 compared to 2009, but was still on track to achieve it Kyoto Protocol targets.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Scottish Government Increases Fuel Poverty Assistance</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:18:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2106</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2106</guid>
<description><![CDATA[In a statement to Parliament on 5 October, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment Alex Neil said that the Scottish Government will increase its budget for fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes by 35% over the next three years. Mr Neil also announced that the Energy Assistance Package (EAP) will receive an additional £5 million to its budget this year.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Climate Challenge Fund Reopens</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:52:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2105</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2105</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Scottish Government announced on 5 October that the Climate Challenge Fund (CCF), which supports communities to take action on climate change, is again inviting applications for a new funding round. For the first time, a Junior Climate Challenge Fund has also opened to support projects run by under 18s.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Register Soon for SSN's Annual Conference</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 4 Oct 2011 17:17:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2094</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2094</guid>
<description><![CDATA[There are now only a limited number of tickets remaining for Sustainable Scotland Network's annual conference, and public, private and community representatives are asked to register soon to secure their place.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Scotland's Greenspace Mapped</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 4 Oct 2011 16:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2095</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2095</guid>
<description><![CDATA[An interactive Geographic Information System (GIS)-based map that provides information on the location, extent and type of greenspace across each of Scotland's urban settlements is now available online. The project, led by Greenspace Scotland, used data provided by all 32 Scottish local authorities. In a separate project, Greenspace Scotland have also recently published a report that explores the potential role for different types of greenspace in both climate change mitigation and adaptation.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Earth 'Overshoot Day' is 27 September 2011</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 4 Oct 2011 15:24:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2096</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2096</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Human demand for nature's services is unsustainable and continues to vastly outstrip the planet's ability to regenerate resources and absorb waste, according to the international research organisation Global Footprint Network (GFN). GFN calculated that 27 September was 2011's 'Earth Overshoot Day' - the day that humanity surpassed nature's budget for the year and moved into overdraft.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Kirklees Council Launches Big Energy Upgrade Scheme</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 4 Oct 2011 13:40:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2097</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2097</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 30 September the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Chris Huhne, launched a £14.9 million scheme led by Kirklees Council that will deliver energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in homes within deprived communities. The multi-partner programme will create 114 new jobs while targeting hard-to-treat homes within a minimum of 10 of the most deprived communities across six local authorities in the Yorkshire and the Humber area.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Green Groups Analyse UK Govt Delivery of Low Carbon Commitments</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 4 Oct 2011 12:50:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2098</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2098</guid>
<description><![CDATA[In September, five campaign groups published an assessment of the Coalition Government's progress against its low carbon commitments as they were set out in its programme for government. The analysis, undertaken by Christian Aid, Greenpeace, Green Alliance, RSPB and WWF, assesses both the quality of the policies that underpin the government's low carbon commitments and the timeliness of their delivery.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Scottish Government Publish 2011 Spending Review</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:05:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2086</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2086</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The 2011 Scottish Spending Review, which presents the Scottish Government's spending plans from 2012/13 to 2014/5, was published on 21 September. A number of commitments were made to fund low-carbon policies.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Scottish Govt Launches Phase 2 of Universal Home Insulation Scheme</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:19:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2090</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2090</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 26 September the Scottish Government launched the second phase of its Universal Home Insulation Scheme (UHIS), which will offer a range of free home insulation measures to approximately 200,000 homes across Scotland. The £12.5 million scheme will be administered by local authorities. On 23 September, the Scottish Government additionally announced the launch of a pilot scheme in Orkney and Fife to incentivise the uptake of solid wall insulation.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference Kicks Off</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:25:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2089</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2089</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The second annual Scottish Low Carbon Investment (SLCI) Conference began today (Tuesday), with an announcement by First Minister Alex Salmond of a new £35m fund to support the production of new offshore wind technology, and the launch of a new offshore wind guide by Scottish Enterprise. Delegates at the two-day event are set to be addressed by former US vice-President Al Gore tomorrow.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Scottish Local Authority Sustainability Round-Up</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:49:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2075</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2075</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Aberdeen City Council Opens Sustainable Social Housing Development; Fife Extends Light Fife Green Project; Active Travel and Sustainable Transport News from Fife, Angus and South Ayrshire, and other news from Highland, Perth and Kinross, Edinburgh and Glasgow Councils.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>DECC Publishes Local Authority C02 Emissions Statistics</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:49:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Local Government</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2072</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2072</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 15 September the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) published estimates of carbon dixoide emissions at local authority level across the UK for the year 2009. DECC also published a data subset estimating carbon dioxide emissions within the scope of influence of local authorities for 2009. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>SSN Welcomes New Local Footprints Officer</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 6 Sep 2011 16:03:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2064</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2064</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Sustainable Scotland Network this week welcomes Jenny Brotchie to the staff team, who will be taking forward the work of SSN's Local Footprint Project in her new role as Sustainability Officer (Footprints).]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Local Authorities Asked to Sign up for European Week for Waste Reduction</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:05:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Footprint and Sustainable Consumption</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2046</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2046</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The third European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) will take place between 19-27 November. The week aims to raise awareness of ways to minimise our waste and encourage change in everyday behaviour, in order to reduce the amount of European waste being produced. Local authorities, businesses, charities, community groups, schools and universities are being encouraged to take part by organising an action in their local area. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Scottish Local Authorities - Sustainability Round-Up</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:26:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Environmental Quality</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1027</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1027</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Glasgow City Council becomes third local authority to pledge to halve construction waste; Aberdeen City invites entries for EcoCity Awards; City of Edinburgh green housing project shortlisted for UK award; South Ayrshire Council nominated for national cycling award; West Dunbartonshire procure hybrid minibus. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Report Assesses Use of SROI to Find 'Real Value' of Scottish Urban Nature</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:17:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Environmental Quality</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1028</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1028</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Greenspace Scotland have recently published a report drawing together the experiences and learning of applying a Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology to four urban nature sites. The report explores the potential of the SROI approach as a way to demonstrate and quantify in financial terms the multiple benefits and impacts - social, environmental and economic - of urban nature sites and the activities which occur on them.]]></description>
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<title>Fife Diet Launch Festival Celebrating Local Food in Scotland</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:50:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1025</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1025</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The award-winning local food network Fife Diet is organising a pan-Scottish festival celebrating local food on 10 September. 'Blasda' - Scotland's Local Food Feast - will see communities throughout the country celebrate their local food with large scale public events.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Carnegie Trust Report Explores Community Resilience</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:03:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1029</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1029</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 17 August the Carnegie UK Trust published a report seeking to explore and answer, 'what is community resilience?', 'how are people building it?' and 'why does it matter?'. The report proposes four key characteristics, or dimensions, of communities that are becoming more resilient, and also seeks to provide practical insights on how people and communities are engaging positively with rapid change. The report suggests that a new form of â€˜break through' resilience can emerge as activists, professionals and policy makers collaborate together to allow local communities to cope - and sometimes thrive - through difficult times.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Distance Learning Course - Education for Sustainable Development</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Aug 2011 11:59:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Environmental Education</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1026</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1026</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Since 1994, London South Bank University has offered long-distance, flexible post-graduate courses from Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to Masters level on Education for Sustainability (EfS).]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Scottish Government to Consult on Reducing Numbers of Plastic Bags</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:20:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Environmental Quality</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1018</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1018</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 15 August, the Scottish Government announced that it will launch a consultation looking at ways to reduce plastic bag use. The move comes after the release of figures showing that Scotland's plastic bag use increased by 9% over the period 2009/10-2010 - a trend not mirrored in either Wales or Northern Ireland.]]></description>
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<title>DECC Announces £3m Renewable Heat Scheme for Social Housing Providers</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:03:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Environmental Quality</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1019</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1019</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announced on 15 August that local authorities, social housing associations and other social housing providers will be able to bid for a share of a £3 million scheme to install renewable heating systems in the homes of social housing tenants. The scheme, available in Scotland, England and Wales, is part of the £15 million Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme. ]]></description>
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<title>West of England Carbon Challenge Reports on Story so Far</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:41:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Business</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1021</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1021</guid>
<description><![CDATA[In July, the West of England Carbon Challenge - a network of businesses, NGOs and public sector organisations committed to reducing their carbon emissions by 10 per cent by 2012 - reported on their progress made to date, and on lessons learned from the journey so far. ]]></description>
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<title>Green Living Blog's Top Ten Green Behaviour Change Resources</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:18:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Environmental Quality</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1023</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1023</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Sylvia Rowley of the Green Alliance's 'Green Living' blog has recently published a list of her Top Ten pro-environmental behaviour change reports and resources. The hit list - many of which have been featured in the SSN e-bulletin - will be followed up soon with Top Tens on more specific aspects of behaviour change, including sustainable communications, energy, water and waste.]]></description>
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<title>IPPR Report Learns Lessons from the US Green Jobs Market</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:15:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Environmental Quality</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1020</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1020</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A report published in July by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) assesses the success of the 'green jobs' policy agenda in the US and investigates a range of localised, bottom-up approaches to fostering the 'green economy', reaching excluded workers and meeting environmental targets. The report also considers implications from the US experience for the UK's forthcoming Green Deal, which the Government says has the potential to create 250,000 green jobs.]]></description>
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<title>Figures for Home Insulation Rates Across UK Published</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 9 Aug 2011 16:17:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Environmental Quality</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1012</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1012</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 4 August the Energy Saving Trust (EST) publishd a breakdown of the number of homes across England, Scotland and Wales that have had loft and cavity wall insulation professionally installed under the UK Government's Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT). The figures, which cover the period April 2008-March 2011, are released on a regional, council and constituency basis.]]></description>
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<title>Scottish Strategic Environmental Assessment Review Published</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 9 Aug 2011 15:34:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Environmental Quality</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1011</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1011</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A review of the efficiency and effectiveness of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in Scotland was published on 21 July. The review concluded that the fundamental components of SEA in Scotland are generally sound and fit for purpose, but that there is considerable scope for changes that would make SEA more effective at protecting and improving the environment, more proportionate and more flexible to accommodate novel, resource efficient approaches.]]></description>
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<title>Profile: Edinburgh Centre on Climate Change </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 9 Aug 2011 15:05:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Environmental Quality</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1013</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1013</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Opening earlier this year, the Edinburgh Centre on Climate Change aims to become one of the world's leading centres for supporting the innovative ideas and solutions that will help create a low carbon future. The centre's Executive Director, Dr Andy Kerr, will be delivering a key note address at the SSN conference, â€˜Local Action for a Sustainable Scotland', taking place on 10 November in Edinburgh.]]></description>
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<title>Design Workshops will Contribute to Sustainable Communities, say Govt</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 9 Aug 2011 14:03:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Environmental Quality</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1015</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1015</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 27 August, the Scottish Government announced that it is to run a series of three innovative design workshops, known as charrettes, that combine the knowledge base of local communities with the skills of specialist designers. The 'Charette Mainstreaming Programme' forms part of the Government's Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative (SSCI), and will build on the success of three pilot Charettes that ran in March 2010.]]></description>
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<title>ONS Publishes Progress on Measuring National Wellbeing</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 9 Aug 2011 12:19:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1014</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1014</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 25 July, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published a report by Jil Matheson, the National Statistician, revealing findings from an ONS-led 'national debate' on what constitutes well-being. The debate, which concluded in April and generated 34,000 responses, was the first in a series of steps by the ONS to develop and publish an accepted and trusted set of National Statistics which help people understand and monitor national well-being.]]></description>
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<title>Scottish Local Authorities - Sustainability Round-Up</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Aug 2011 16:06:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Environmental Quality</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1007</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1007</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Dundee City Council launch eco-driving campaign and purchase electric vehicles; Green Business Fife network tours Diageo plant; Glasgow Primary wins Sustainable School Award 2011; City of Edinburgh Council to open three new allotments and Scottish local authorities scoop park awards.]]></description>
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<title>Defra Publishes Framework for Sustainable Lifestyles</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Aug 2011 15:43:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Environmental Quality</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1008</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1008</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Defra's recently published Framework for Sustainable Lifestyles is intended as a tool to support Defra and external organisations - especially local authorities, civil society organisations and business - to develop effective approaches to influencing behaviour.]]></description>
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<title>Smart Meters Must be Employed Intelligently, Says Ofgem</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Aug 2011 15:32:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Business</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=15</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=15</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A recent Energy Demand Research Project (EDRP) carried out by Ofgem has assessed the effectiveness of smart meters in domestic energy-use reduction. The Project found the effects of smart meters varied greatly, but were most effective when used in parallel with other interventions, such as community engagement and education.]]></description>
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<title>GreenFleet Scotland Event - 1 September, Edinburgh</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Aug 2011 14:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Business</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1006</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1006</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Registration is open for the 2011 GreenFleet Scotland event, which aims to promote low carbon vehicles to fleets across Scotland. Coordinated by the Energy Saving Trust and taking place on 1 September in Edinburgh, the event will combine: fuel efficient driver training and information; an exhibition; and the latest information on low carbon vehicle and fuels initiatives from Transport Scotland.]]></description>
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<title>Community Energy Projects Key to Low Carbon Energy, says IPPR </title>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Aug 2011 11:59:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1009</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=1009</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Community participation and engagement is a key factor for success in energy efficiency and micro generation projects, according to the â€˜Green Streets, Strong Communities' report from the Institute for Public Policy and Research (IPPR) launched on the 5 July.]]></description>
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<title>Community Energy Projects Key to Low Carbon Energy, says IPPR</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Aug 2011 11:41:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainability and Climate Change</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=10</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=10</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Community participation and engagement is a key factor for success in energy efficiency and micro generation projects, according to the ‘Green Streets, Strong Communities’ report from the Institute for Public Policy and Research (IPPR) launched on the 5 July.]]></description>
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<title>Scottish Local Authorities - Sustainability Round-Up</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Aug 2011 11:40:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Environmental Quality</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=9</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=9</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Dundee City Council launch eco-driving campaign and purchase electric vehicles; Green Business Fife network tours Diageo plant; Glasgow Primary wins Sustainable School Award 2011; City of Edinburgh Council to open three new allotments and Scottish local authorities scoop park awards.]]></description>
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<title>SSN Conference 2011: Local Action for a Sustainable Scotland</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jun 2011 10:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=952</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=952</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The 10th annual Sustainable Scotland Network conference will bring together leaders and practitioners from across Scotland to explore how to deliver efficient and effective local action that contributes to meeting our climate change targets, and achieving improved community wellbeing. Save the date: 10th November, Edinburgh]]></description>
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<title>SSN Staff Moving On</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jun 2011 09:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>SSN</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=954</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=954</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Amie Fulton (SSN's Local Footprints Officer) and Ruth Bush (Scottish Sustainable Development Forum Officer) will leave the SSN staff team in the coming months to continue their careers in sustainable development.]]></description>
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<title>Scottish Local Authorities Asked to Make Timber Procurement Pledge</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:09:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=873</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=873</guid>
<description><![CDATA[WWF Scotland is this week asking Scotland's local authorities to make a pledge and improve the way they procure timber and timber products. Supported by COSLA and SOLACE Scotland, the new pledge scheme is part of WWF-UK's 'What Wood You Choose?' campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the economic, social and environmental consequences of purchasing illegal and unsustainable timber and wood products.]]></description>
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<title>New Guidance on Sustainable Procurement of Food and Drink in the Public Sector</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:20:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=792</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=792</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 18 January the Scottish Government published new guidance to the public sector on the sustainable procurement of food and drink. ]]></description>
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<title>SDRN Report: Lessons for Sustainable Public Procurement from Private Sector</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:40:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Procurement</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=771</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=771</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On 9 December the Sustainable Development Research Network (SDRN) published a report outlining lessons for sustainable public procurement that can be drawn from successful businesses.]]></description>
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<title>City of Malmo: Latest News and Case Studies</title>
<pubDate>Tue, 5 Oct 2010 16:08:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Sustainable Development</category>
<link>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2099</link>
<guid>http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/news.asp?id=2099</guid>
<description><![CDATA[It was recently announced that the City of Malmo is one of six finalists chosen for the 2012 and 2013 European Green Capital awards. Malmo's Deputy Mayor Kent Andersson is set to address the SSN annual conference, 'Local Government Leadership for a Low Carbon Economy', on 4 November in Edinburgh. This news article also contains details of case studies from the City of Malmo on their organic schools meals initiative and a sustainable transport campaign.]]></description>
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