The Minster and others listen to an East Lothian community leader speak about how they are going to scale the Community Heat Team initiative to their community
Fisherrow Centre, Musselburgh, Friday 27th September
Dr Alasdair Allan MSP, the Acting Climate Action Minister, visited the East Lothian Climate Hub on Friday to meet with local climate leaders and discuss the launch of the innovative Scaling Community Heat Teams initiative, designed to improve home energy efficiency across South East Scotland. The initiative, funded by Scottish Ministers in conjunction with the Tyne & Esk Local Action Group, enables community groups to use thermal imaging cameras and other tools to offer free Heat Surveys for local homes, helping households reduce heat loss and energy costs.
The meeting brought together key local figures, including Bobby Pembleton, East Lothian Climate Hub Manager, Tim Hetherington, Chair of the East Lothian Climate Action Network, and Sarah Bronsdon, CEO of Lower Impact Living CIC, alongside several community group leaders and government representatives involved in the initiative. During the visit, Dr Allan had the opportunity to learn firsthand about the project’s potential to tackle fuel poverty and increase energy efficiency in East Lothian.
“We’re excited to help scale out the Community Heat Teams initiative, building on the success of similar efforts in the Scottish Borders,” said Bobby Pembleton. “With the help of thermal imaging technology, detailed but easy to read analyses, and signposting to service providers and possible funding to undertake actions, we can show homeowners where they are losing heat and help them improve energy efficiency. This is a vital step in the fight against climate change. In our journey to Net Zero, patching up the parts of our homes wasting heat is a crucial early stage step that can also help people save money. “
Acting Climate Action Minister Alasdair Allan said:
“The Scottish Government is committed to supporting communities to make the transition to low carbon and climate resilient living, which is why we’ve provided up to £5.5 million in 2024-25 for a network of Climate Action Hubs across the country.
“I was delighted to see the impact the hubs can have in enabling real change for local communities, supporting and encouraging people to think about how they can reduce their own carbon footprint and make positive changes for a more sustainable future. I also heard first-hand how the Community Heat Teams are helping households to identify where they can best make changes to reduce heat loss and stay warmer, whilst saving money and energy.”
A Proven Model for Community Action
The initiative is inspired by the work of the Community Heat Team from Sustainable West Linton, led by Tim Crick, who demonstrated how a volunteer-based community heat team can make a real impact on local energy efficiency. Tim shared his experiences initiating the first Community Heat Team in West Linton during the visit, explaining that “thermal imaging is a highly visual and practical way to help householders see where their homes are losing heat and wasting energy. The free Heat Survey helps them understand where they need to focus to reduce heat loss, and directs them to further sources of help and advice if needed. Our research shows that over 80% of householders who received a Heat Survey then took action to improve their energy efficiency – which not only saves them money but also reduces their CO2 footprint.” Sustainable West Linton utilised Scottish Borders Council CLLD/LAG funding for the online Heat Survey Learning Hub which Mid- and East Lothian volunteers are now reusing and building on.
Scaling the Community Heat Teams
The East Lothian Climate Hub aims to replicate and scale the success of the Community Heat Team initiative across multiple communities in East Lothian. Local leaders from Sustaining Dunbar, Sustaining Musselburgh, Climate Action East Linton, Insulate Innerwick, and Garvald and Morham Climate Action are already engaged and ready to roll out the project in their areas. However, additional funding is needed to secure further training and ongoing support for the teams.
“We’re seeking partners and sponsors to help us extend the reach of the Community Heat Teams,” said Sarah Bronsdon, CEO of Lower Impact Living CIC. “This is an incredible opportunity to mobilise local communities in the fight against climate change and make a real difference in people’s lives.”
The Hub’s vision is to have hundreds of heat surveys completed by the end of the heating season (approximately the end of March, depending on the weather), with as many communities as possible across South East Scotland equipped to run their own Community Heat Teams.
Distributing Cameras, Establishing Teams, Initiating Action
Following the ministerial visit, over 20 members of various community climate action groups across East Lothian came together in the same room at the Fisherrow Centre in Musselburgh, to form alliances, learn how to use the equipment, and discuss how to market and promote the initiative to their local communities.
“Collaboration between communities is vital for the success of this initiative,” said Tim Hetherington, Chair of the East Lothian Climate Action Network. “By sharing resources, knowledge, and support, we are creating a powerful network that empowers local groups to take meaningful action on climate change. This is just the beginning of what we will achieve together.”
Looking Ahead
As the Community Heat Teams initiative continues to gain momentum, the East Lothian Climate Hub is eager to work with more community groups, funders, and local authorities to expand the project and its impact.
The East Lothian Climate Hub delivers on the ambitions of the East Lothian Climate Action Network and its 70+ member organisations. The Hub is managed by Lower Impact Living CIC. It receives core funding from the Scottish Government Climate Action Hub Programme, and continues to add in additional funding streams to tackle thematic-specific initiatives. Currently, the Hub is also seeking funding for a Community Energy Development Officer to increase community ownership of the generation and storage of energy in East Lothian.
For more information about the Community Heat Teams or other work of the Climate Hub, to reach out to us about supporting this initiative, or to get involved yourself, please visit eastlothianclimatehub.org or contact the team at hello@eastlothianclimatehub.org
