Green Heat in Greenspaces project

In addition to analysing the low carbon heat potential of urban greenspaces, greenspace scotlands Green Heat in Greenspaces projects has been assessing the potential of blue space, in particular river source heat. The data analysis stage of the project is complete and greenspace scotland are now working on creating data reporting tools and documentation to support all their partners. There is an online partner event on 16 March 2021 which will present the results. If there is wider interest in the outputs, a public online event may be organised for April. To express interest in the event, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Evergreen Fund

A £5m investment fund dedicated to sustainability and environmental initiatives has been launched by Ground Control. Investment will range in size from £10,000 to £500,000. Applications are ongoing. For more details, click here. 

Regeneration frameworks for Glasgow Districts approved

Glasgow City Council has approved District Regeneration Frameworks (DRFs) for both the Blythswood and Central districts of the city centre. Aims of the Blythswood plan include reducing the negative impact of the motorway and addressing a lack of quality greenspace. Suggestions include re-opening Blythswood Square to the public. The Central scheme outlines plans to take cars away from the city centre, redesign George Square and revamp Hielanman’s Umbrella; also suggested is a green pedestrian loop linking George Square and Blythswood Square with a planned riverside park.

For more details, click here.

Trees: the infrastructure of the future?

At the end of last year HM Treasury published the UK National Infrastructure Strategy. Among the many references to 'grey' infrastructure, such as transport, energy and digital, there was a statement about the importance of local green spaces and a renewed commitment to funding tree-planting in England. It's clear that despite the powerful work of the Natural Capital Committee and other environmental economists, HM Treasury still doesn't quite consider green infrastructure to be 'real' infrastructure. But these welcome references suggest that things might be starting to change.  

Glasgow declared a global green city

Glasgow has received global recognition as a sustainable city. The Global Green City award, which is supported by the United Nation's Environment Programme, puts Glasgow in the same bracket as previous winners such as Vancouver, Vienna and Yokohama. This year's award was shared with Changsha in the Hunan Province of China. Glasgow was recognised after recording high scores across wide ranging criteria including planning, transport, low carbon and energy efficiency, transportation, buildings, open spaces and the economy.