Funding supports net zero journey for Glasgow charity
Short film celebrates decarbonisation projects in Scotland’s largest city
A short film released by Salix celebrates progress on the journey to net zero in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city.
Lead by charity Glasgow Life, the film highlights how loan-based funding, delivered by Salix on behalf of the Scottish Government, has unlocked opportunities for decarbonisation projects across the city.
Isabel Brown, head of infrastructure support at Glasgow Life, said: “Funding for us has always been a problem. We are a charity. We rely on bringing money in from lots of different areas, and there’s always a gap.
“If we didn’t have access to funding, we just wouldn’t have the money available.”
Funding for us has always been a problem. We are a charity. We rely on bringing money in from lots of different areas, and there’s always a gap.
If we didn’t have access to funding, we just wouldn’t have the money available.
The charity provides culture, sport and learning opportunities to the city, with a people-lead focus on making Glasgow the first choice for people to live, work, learn and play.
Driven by a passion for sustainability, Glasgow Life have set themselves an ambitious target to reach net zero by 2030 – 15 years ahead of the Scottish Government’s targets.
Isabel added: “Glasgow Life has got huge ambitions, along with the city, to reduce our carbon emissions.”
Glasgow Life has got huge ambitions, along with the city, to reduce our carbon emissions.
To achieve their goal, they have undertaken multiple projects centred around reducing energy demand through heat production and energy efficiency measures.
To support these projects, Glasgow Life have committed £4,150,960 through the Scotland Recycling Fund.
The Scotland Recycling Fund is a ring-fenced fund, created with capital provided through the Scottish Government through Salix, and matched by the public sector organisation. It is a loan-based scheme that encourages participants to re-invest financial savings that result from projects into further decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects, thus operating in a cyclic manner.
This has enabled the charity to undertake 62 decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects to date. These projects, when combined, are expected to save £665,037 in energy bills and 1,944 tonnes of carbon annually.
Funding is delivered by Salix on behalf of the Scottish Government.
The City Halls and Old Fruitmarket have received funding for several projects, supporting an incremental approach to decarbonisation across the site.
The historic building, built in 1841, is home to many different spaces, and is a popular attraction for residents and visitors alike.
The film also speaks to these projects and the difference that the upgrades have made for the people in the community that use the spaces.
Isabel said: “They make a huge difference to the customer experience with our buildings.”
Watch the Glasgow Life film above or head to the Salix Youtube to see the full feature film. The full film also features stories from public sector organisations in St Andrews and Edinburgh.
They make a huge difference to the customer experience with our buildings.
*Note: Statistics provided are accurate for all Glasgow Life Scotland Recycling Fund projects as at 09.02.2024.
