Tom Bywater

Can the renewable energy change fund community climate action?

Can the renewable energy change fund climate action? Invitation to Tender

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Can shared ownership of renewable energy generate meaningful income for community climate action? Scotland’s Climate Hubs recently commissioned Regen and Changeworks to investigate whether shared ownership of renewable-energy projects could provide long-term income for community climate action. The resulting Evidence Case highlighted potential renewable-energy opportunities, costs and possible roles for the Climate Hubs. It also […]

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A 2% stake in an offshore wind project could be worth £45million to communities over its lifetime. Photo / Anna Jimenez, Unsplash

Scotland’s promise of shared renewables wealth at risk

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Proposal for communities to share in renewable energy wealth not realistic without urgent government intervention, says Climate Hub report   A new report by funded by Scotland’s Community Climate Action Hub programme and conducted by Regen shows Scotland is uniquely positioned to realise the UK government’s plans for communities to share in the profits of

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Hub Update: Another year of Climate and Nature action in East Lothian

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ELCAN and East Lothian Climate Hub: Year 2 in Review The East Lothian Climate Hub is now two years old. To misquote AA Milne, we’re “almost new.”  Our second year was more than an opportunity to build on still fresh foundations. We were able to keep hold of our beginner’s mindset and the knowledge there’s

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Ken Ilgunas in his East Linton wildflower lawn.

No Mow May Scotland: Why East Linton is going to meadow this month

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Grassroots is a monthly column shared by the East Lothian Cli­mate Action Net­work and The East Lothian Courier, highlighting the work of our members’ over 100 local cli­mate and nature projects. This East Lothian town is Scotland’s capital of shaggy lawns, writes Thomas Bywater Sack off the lawnmower this weekend. Ditch the clippers. East Lothian

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ELCAN Policy Circle: Shape decision making on climate and nature

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The ELCAN Policy Circle was formed last summer. It is made of volunteers from ELCAN member groups and addresses nature and climate issues, important to the local communities of East Lothian. Since forming, we have been developing and refining our areas of focus, and how to be most effective. Some of the actions we have

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Ocean with David Attenborough. Handout. Photo: Conor McDonnell / Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios, Revive Our Ocean

David Attenborough at 100: East Lothian’s place naturalist’s list of wildlife wonders

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David Attenborough, the UK’s best known naturalist turns 100 on 8th May.  In a lifetime spanning ten decades and seven continents, it’s humbling to think one of the broadcaster’s “wildlife wonders of the world” is here in East Lothian. Bass Rock is a familiar sight in the Forth Valley. 150,000 pairs of Northern Gannets converge

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candidates and attendees at the first Climate and Poverty Hustings for the newly created Edinburgh East, Musselburgh and Tranent seat. Photo / East Lothian Climate Hub

Holyrood 2026 Election Hustings: Climate and Poverty in Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent

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Thank you to the candidates and attendees at the first Climate and Poverty Hustings for the newly created Edinburgh East, Musselburgh and Tranent seat. With difficult and diverse questions on topics ranging from flood defences to food price caps – we hope it was a valuable discussion ahead of the Scottish Elections on 7 May.

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The Tranent Reuse Fair welcomed ver 80 attendees to the Fraser Centre and helped save 70kg of items from landfills. Photo / The Fraser Centre

First Tranent Reuse Fair saves 71kgs of clothing from landfill

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On Wednesday 11th March the Fraser Centre hosted it’s first Reuse Fair with community partner organisations. The event saw 82 individuals attending, who were able to benefit from the wide range of second hand items available from the Kit Stop, Lil CIC, the Library, the new music loan library, Carefree Kids and Recycling First. The Fraser Centre is

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Queen Margaret's University. Photo / Lisa Jarvis, CC

Climate and Nature-friendly Housing Development in Scotland

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On 4th March, the East Lothian Climate Hub held a workshop on Climate and Nature-friendly Housing Development, aimed at people working in the sector across Fife, Stirling, the Lothians, Edinburgh and the Borders. We had 25 attendees turn up, with people from Taylor Wimpey to Bellway, to Stirling Developments, as well as good attendance from

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Ocean with David Attenborough: Free Screening in Tranent's Fraser Centre

Ocean with David Attenborough: Free Public Screening in Tranent

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We are thrilled to be screening the film Ocean, on Friday 8th May 2026, the 100th birthday of David Attenborough.   David Attenborough has been a heartfelt advocate of the natural world for his long life, and throughout the modern environmentalism era. As well as being a film of great beauty and discovery, it gives hope

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