City seeks to be carbon neutral

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead and Rachel Nunn from GCNS

Stirling is aiming to become the UK's first carbon neutral city.

Funding of �1.25m has been given to the community-led project, Going Carbon Neutral Stirling (GCNS), which hopes to reduce the area's environmental impact.

The target is to bring down average annual carbon dioxide levels from 12 tonnes, the average in Scotland, to one tonne per person per year.

The funding to get the scheme under way is coming from the Big Lottery Fund and the Scottish Government.

Locals will be encouraged to do things like turning their washing machines down, switching off lights and changing their shopping habits to buy local and seasonal produce.

Businesses will also be urged to recycle and use energy saving light bulbs. GCNS will be administered through Keep Scotland Beautiful.

When the history of our work to beat climate change and develop a truly sustainable low carbon Scotland is written, this will be seen as a crucial day Patrick Harvie Green MSP How do I become carbon neutral?

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said the initiative was the start of an "exciting new era".

He said: "We want Scotland to be part of the global solution to tackling the threat of climate change.

"This is the start of an exciting new era for community empowerment and I'd encourage all those in Scotland who want to make a difference locally and globally to come forward with their ideas."

The project was also welcomed by Green MSP Patrick Harvie.

He said: "Stirling has a vision on how to go carbon neutral, and their efforts will inspire others to follow.

"When the history of our work to beat climate change and develop a truly sustainable low carbon Scotland is written, this will be seen as a crucial day."

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