‘This is an important step on the road to completely climate-neutral transports.’ Continue reading Volvo and SSAB sign deal to create world first ‘fossil-free’ steel vehicles in ‘green revolution’
A new study by Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) shows that electric battery-powered freight trucks can be economically competitive with diesel counterparts. They say the study challenges a long-held view that has previously dismissed electric freight trucks as too costly. It argues that with with battery technology improving rapidly, heavy battery electric trucks can compete – and likely soon. To be commercially competitive, such vehicles need one critical … Continue reading New tech means electric battery run lorries can compete with diesel on cost, says study
“Our vision is to provide a great place that everyone can enjoy and benefit from, which supports our drive to be net zero carbon by 2030 and helps the city’s economic recovery.” Continue reading Traffic free, active travel, people first. Watch Edinburgh council’s plans for greener centre
“The health links between air pollution and Covid-19 should push us to redouble our efforts to clean up our air and protect public health.” Continue reading ‘It’s a huge pity that it took a deadly pandemic to bring our air quality within legal limits’
“It is the first order of this scale in Europe.” Continue reading Carlsberg: recharges the parts other beers can’t reach
Scottish cities have already pledged to up their game on clean public transport, but so far remain stuck in the slow lane.
Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone was condemned for failing to push out the worst polluting vehicles at launch.
There was much hype over the handful of electric buses finally coming into service.
While Hope Street remains the most polluted street in the country just months before world leaders attend the UN climate conference, at city venues a short asthma inducing walk away.
But cast your eyes to Sweden .. just 700 miles across the sea. Continue reading “As Scotland stalls Sweden orders hundreds of EV buses from Volvo”
THE first hint of something big to come emerged in June. Just a throwaway line, and an otherwise seemingly innocuous survey.
But it raised the question – could Edinburgh city centre be destined for a car free future?
And while the city’s Transport Convener Lesley Macinnes stopped short of being explicit about the future intent then, it looks as if all that could be about to change. Continue reading “Can Edinburgh really deliver a breath of fresh air for its citizens? This says yes ..”
SCOTLAND’S capital city could stage regular vehicle free days on Edinburgh’s streets as part of a bid to clean-up air quality.
City of Edinburgh Council Transport Convener Lesley Macinnes announced the plans as it celebrated its first Clean Air Day.
But she stopped short of saying whether or not that – with fact based monitoring – could eventually result in an outright car ban in the future too.
Continue reading “Edinburgh takes huge step towards a car free capital with clean-air pledge”
Ian Findlay is Chief Officer of Paths for All, Scotland’s walking charity which partners with 30 national organisations and aims to significantly increase the number of people who choose to walk in Scotland. Here he argues the case for Clean Air Day’s success.
EDINBURGH’S The Mound was closed off in the biggest show yet of the city’s support for Clean Air Day.
The day itself serves as a timely annual reminder that the vital air around us carries harmful chemicals that can be hugely damaging to our health.
Continue reading “OPINION: Clean Air Day has potential to go further, says Paths for All chief”
GLASGOW could push ahead with plans for a ‘congestion charge’ as the city struggles to get to grips with its air pollution crisis, in a move environmental groups say they would support.
The idea – first floated by Glasgow City Council’s draft Low Emissions Zone strategy – could now be put out for consultation.
It follows a backlash from campaigners who accused politicians of failing to use LEZs to properly tackle emissions. Continue reading “Glasgow City Council challenged to stand up for citizen health with LEZ decision”
GLASGOW and Edinburgh are to mark Clean Air Day later this month with a series of road closures and events designed to raise awareness and encourage people to ditch their cars.
The date – Thursday, June 21 – is geared towards having drivers and commuters switch to active travel or public transport, as an alternative to their own vehicles.
Now Scotland’s largest two cities are to close off roads to make their use impossible and reinforce the message. Continue reading “Clean Air Day 2018 events in Glasgow and Edinburgh to include major road closures”
SCOTLAND’S environmental ambitions will come under scrutiny at Holyrood today.
Politicians will debate the nation’s air pollution problems following a recent report by the Environmental Climate Change and Land Reform Committee.
It called into question the timescales proposed to alleviate the “crisis” as come campaigners have already put it. Continue reading “Air pollution is creating a ‘public health emergency’, says FOE Scotland”
A THREE mile glow in the dark bike ride has marked Edinburgh’s pioneering new speed limit roll-out being completed.
The luminous procession of cycles took part in a celebratory ride around the heart of Edinburgh on Sunday to celebrate the Capital becoming Scotland’s first 20mph city.
The GlowRide, organised by City of Edinburgh Council and with Cycling Scotland and Sustrans Scotland, was held to mark the successful introduction of the fourth and final phase being completed on March 5. Continue reading “GlowRide marks Edinburgh’s new status as Scotland’s first 20mph city”
TWO leading experts have quit the Scottish government’s clean air strategy team over Glasgow’s low emission zone roll-out.
They said they had suffered “disappointment in and frustration” around the Cleaner Air for Scotland Governance Group lack of progress in tackling unsafe levels of air pollution.
They cited and input into Glasgow’s draft Low Emission Zone plans as a key reasons.
Continue reading “In Full: The Scottish Environment LINK resignation letter from CAFSGG”
FRIENDS of the Earth Scotland have hit out at Glasgow City Council after it published plans for the roll-out of the nation’s first low emissions zone.
Scotland’s largest city is the worst affected by filthy air pollution, and targeted for the first LEZ roll-out deliberately to help it clean up.
The environment group is now calling on people to support a petition condemning the council and urging them to do more. Continue reading “Urgent campaign launched by Friends of the Earth Scotland as country’s first LEZ falls-short”
FERRY operators CalMac says it will review the use of disposable single use plastics and straws after being lobbied by school pupils and politicians.
It comes after a delegation of school children from Sunnyside Primary in Glasgow under the Ocean Defenders banner gave them a presentation on their #NaeStrawsAtAw campaign.
It also follows pressure from MSP Kate Forbes who wrote asking them to back calls for straws to be ditch with other plastics. Continue reading “CalMac latest to start phasing out single use plastics across its fleet”
THEY sail some of the most beautiful waters in the world, island hopping from idyllic ports and all that makes Scotland great.
A lifeline service for the communities who rely on them, work with them, wait for them, dodging in between fishing boat and creel.
But now CalMac, that iconic Scottish brand, is being urged to help ensure those same waters are kept clean. Continue reading “CalMac urged to follow NorthLink plastic pledge on ferries as campaign rolls on”
FRIENDS of the Earth Scotland have released new data showing how the public are being left at risk by a damning failure by government and local authorities to tackle street air pollution as the campaign group steps up calls for action.
The environmental campaigners described it as a “crisis” that has left thousand of men, women, children, babies and pensioners at risk.
And with 2018 barely weeks old, they are calling for Low Emission Zones being rolled out to included toxic spewing buses and commercial vehicles – something not yet guaranteed. Continue reading “DAMNED: New data shows ‘health crisis’ with street air pollution still at illegal levels”
AS the Scottish Government’s consultation over Low Emission Zones comes to a close. four experts from different fields offer their opinions on what needs done to ensure Scotland takes full advantage of them between 2018 and 2020.
Glasgow will be first, followed by Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee in a bid to tackle toxic air pollution.
Here’s their expert view on what the nature and scope of their roll-out should consider. Continue reading “Four experts give their view on what the Scottish Government needs to next on Low Emission Zones”
SCOTLAND is in the grip of an “air pollution crisis” triggered by over reliance on cars, hard hitting new stats reveal.
Green campaigners have seized on the figures as proof more needs to be done to tackle the problems urgently.
Campaigners Friends of the Earth Scotland said the health of the elderly and children were being risked by poor policy decisions.
PLANET SCOTLAND 
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