Scotland’s capital city paves the way toward net zero
Video celebrates decarbonisation progress in historic Edinburgh
A short film is celebrating innovative energy efficiency projects in Scotland’s capital city has been released by Salix.
The City of Edinburgh Council has set the ambitious target to reach net zero by 2030 - 15 years ahead of the Scottish Government’s goal and a full two decades ahead of the UK aim.
The one-minute film touches on some of the successful projects completed thanks to funding via the Scotland Recycling Fund scheme, and the positive impacts that the projects are having on those who live in, work in, and visit the city.
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.
Since inception, the City of Edinburgh Council have received £3,087,140 in funding through the scheme to invest in 43 projects that, when combined, are expected to save over 1,481 tonnes of direct carbon emissions every year.
The projects are also expected to save the council an estimated £485,455 on their energy bills annually.
Acting energy and sustainability manager at City of Edinburgh Council Andrew Crighton said: “One of the main areas that funding has been used is to help to make our larger, cultural venues more sustainable.
“These works mean that our buildings will continue to be available for future generations to enjoy.”
One of the main areas that funding has been used is to help to make our larger, cultural venues more sustainable.
These works mean that our buildings will continue to be available for future generations to enjoy.
Projects highlighted in the film include popular locations across the city, namely the Edinburgh Bus Station, Assembly Rooms and Usher Hall.
Watch the City of Edinburgh Council’s trailer above or head to the Salix Youtube to see the full feature film. The full film also features stories from public sector organisations in Glasgow and St Andrews.
Edinburgh Bus Station
The Edinburgh Bus Station, Elder Street, is one of the main points of entry into the city and receives roughly 600,000 visitors every year.
Between 2018 and 2019, a recycling fund project worked to replace the lights with LED.
Not only has the upgrade reduced the energy demand of the building, saving an estimated £25,781 in energy bills annually, but it has also made the building a more welcoming place to be, contributing to a more positive visitor experience.
The Assembly Rooms
The Assembly Rooms are one of Edinburgh city centre’s largest spaces and see around 150,000 visitors each year.
They are a multi-purpose, unique event venue capable of hosting a wide range of events from business conferences and exhibitions to cultural events including concerns and festivals.
Government funding through the Scotland Recycling Fund was used to support a project which focused on energy efficiency by ways of LED lighting upgrades, including in the ball room where LED and lighting controls were installed in the prominent chandeliers.
These upgrades are expected to save the council more than £8,000 on their energy bills every year.
The Usher Hall
The Usher Hall is a concert hall in Edinburgh’s West End. Built in 1914, it can hold approximately 2,200 people and is world-famous for its acoustics.
Salix delivered funding which was used to upgrade lighting at the venue, both in the spectator section and also on the stage.
The Usher Hall projects save an estimated £12,851 in energy bills, plus 16.81 tonnes of carbon annually. The reduced operational overheads have been directly celebrated for their role in the council’s commitment to avoid price increases for ticketed events and ensuring the audience isn’t priced out of the market.
The journey ahead
Despite their efforts so far, the City of Edinburgh Council acknowledges that there is a long way to go to meet their net zero ambitions.
Councillor Mandy Watt, Finance and Resources Convener, the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Achieving Net Zero by 2030 is a key commitment for the Council, but this will only be possible if we think big and collaborate with partners across different sectors.
“Thanks to this funding we’ve been able to complete several energy efficiency projects, including in some of our most familiar venues across the city. Not only will these reduce our carbon footprint and save money, but they have made significant improvements that the public can enjoy.”
Achieving Net Zero by 2030 is a key commitment for the Council, but this will only be possible if we think big and collaborate with partners across different sectors.
Thanks to this funding we’ve been able to complete several energy efficiency projects, including in some of our most familiar venues across the city. Not only will these reduce our carbon footprint and save money, but they have made significant improvements that the public can enjoy.
*Note: Statistics provided are accurate for all City of Edinburgh Council Scotland Recycling Fund projects as at 09.02.2024.
