Bob Doris MSP has welcomed the fact that Colston Milton Church has this week claimed its share of more than £700,000 to empower communities across Scotland to take action to tackle climate change.

Colston Milton Church has benefited from the first tranche of projects supported through the Climate Challenge Fund announced by the Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Rural Affairs on Wednesday, to help drive community-led action to reduce emissions.

The Church has been given £42,809 to work on the Colston Milton Community Development Project conducting a feasibility study on building and maintaining ecologically and economically sustainable buildings for the benefit of the people of Milton.

Bob Doris MSP said: "I am excited by this project and keen to find out more about it. I look forward to meeting with the Minister, Christopher Rowe" and I know that his enthusiasm will be an asset to the project. It is only right that the local church should be at the centre of such community initiatives".

Bob also welcomed another £65,717 from the same fund to Castlemilk and Carmunnock Community Windpark Trust which will ensure the continuation of a Wind Park Development Manager's post for development of a community wind park. Together that's well over £100,000 for Glasgow.

Bob said: "This money comes from the Scottish Government's Climate Change Fund worth £18.8m and it will help us meet our target of reducing carbon emissions by 80% by the year 2050. If we are to make that target a reality then projects like this, with the community at its core, are vital. I hope other organisations in Glasgow will find out more about this fund and apply".

Cabinet secretary Richard Lochhead who announced the awards said:
"I am hugely encouraged by the wide range of innovative proposals put forward through this first round of awards.

"From introducing more energy efficient power to encouraging more sustainable modes of travel, these initiatives will all act to significantly reduce emissions. These community-led projects will bring wider social and economic benefits to improve the quality of life of people across Scotland.

"Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing us today, both here in Scotland and across the world. We want Scotland to be part of the global solution."

Notes:

1. A total of £705,700.36 has been awarded to 14 projects through the first round of grants. Full details of successful applicants can be found here.

2. The Climate Challenge Fund is open to Scottish-based, not-for-profit distributing community groups including voluntary, not-for-profit and charitable organisations, schools and community groups which can also work in partnership with local authorities, housing partnerships, colleges and universities.

3. A total of £18.8 million will be available over the next three financial years. The fund will award grants to projects which meet set criteria up to a maximum of £1 million. There is no minimum amount which communities.

4. For more information on how to apply for the Climate Challenge Fund please email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or go here.