Green Times Magazine Winter 2024

A Decade of Celebrating Climate Week North East 2024

The North East is about to host a fantastic climate action and awareness event - Climate Week North East from 15th – 24th March 2024. Established by Aberdeen Climate Action in 2014, this initiative aimed to raise awareness of the fantastic local projects combating climate change across the North East. Currently organised by NESCAN Hub, we are about to mark the event’s 10th anniversary through a 10-day programme packed with events that provide insight into climate change and showcase the innovative ideas, projects and organisations in the North East that are leading the way in adapting to our changing world.

The signs of climate change in the North East and across Scotland are visible, from floods, power cuts, shortage of food, wetter winters and drier summers. The question of how we collectively tackle these issues is a big one. We can tackle it together by making small changes in our daily lives, and each one of us can proudly help the North East to be a sustainable region to live and thrive.

For a full programme of events across the North East, visit Climate Week North East website or pick up one of our brochures in your area for detailed event listings. 

With over 80 events and activities, there is something for everyone! Explore fascinating scientific research, enrol in certified climate courses, and discover how to future proof your home to reduce your bills! Immerse yourself in nature through walks, beach cleans, and foraging. Gain insights by viewing a passive home and hone your bike maintenance skills.

This year the theme is all about ‘taking action’. “If not now, then when? If not you, then who?” Be the change you want to see and register your climate change action pledge at wearedonation: Climate Week North East 2024

Research farm opens its gates for Climate Week North East

The James Hutton Institute is opening the site of its Climate-Positive Farming Initiative to the public at this end of this month as part of Climate Week North East.

Visitors to the Initiative, at the Hutton’s Glensaugh research farm, will be taken on a free, 90-minute, 3km-long guided walk around the farm.

During the walk, visitors will learn about some of the Hutton’s research including peatland restoration, increasing the diversity of grasslands, integrating trees on the farm, natural flood management, and much more.

Following the walk at the farm, just southeast of Cairn o’ Mount near Fettercairn, visitors will be able to learn more about the institute’s activities, including its £6 million HydroGlen green hydrogen project at Glensaugh, through indoor displays over coffee and tea.

Places are limited so visitors are encouraged to book on one of the four Climate Positive Farming – Taster Day walks, taking place at 10am and 2pm on March 21 and 22, in advance via Eventbrite.

The walk will include some steep trails. Visitors are encouraged to bring waterproofs, warm clothing and sturdy footwear.

Climate Week North East, running from March 24 to April 2, is organised by North East Scotland Climate Action Network (NESCAN).

Sign the Aberdeen Climate and Nature Pledge

The Aberdeen Climate and Nature Pledge was launched November 2022, inviting individuals and organisations to play their part in Aberdeen’s citywide climate journey. By signing the pledge, signatories play their part in achieving citywide goals:

• Net Zero – Net Zero carbon emissions by 2045
• Adaptation – Build resilience to a changing climate
• Nature – Manage 26% of Aberdeen for nature by 2026

It’s quick, easy and free to sign the Pledge on the Net Zero Aberdeen website

Sign the pledge today and join our city-wide climate and nature journey!

To find out more about Net Zero Aberdeen contact ecocity@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Communities bring spring colour

Spring is almost here and Aberdeen has extra colour thanks to the work of communities across the city.

Pollinators need our help in early spring. A great way to help them is to plant spring bulbs in autumn giving a source of pollen and nectar when there's little else in flower.

In a frenzy of autumn activity community groups, schools and individuals braved the outdoors to plant crocuses and muscari bulbs.

Working in partnership, Aberdeen City Council’s Environmental Services team supplied the bulbs while enthusiastic volunteers provided the manpower.

Over 100 groups throughout the city were involved in planting 150,000 bulbs.

Environmental Manager Steven Shaw said “It is fantastic to be able to help communities bring a bit of colour to their neighbourhoods. Aberdeen’s greenspaces benefit greatly from the hard work of these volunteers and it’s lovely to know that with their help spring will be very colourful.”

Inaugural Winter, Wonder, Wander sells out!

The first ever ‘Winter, Wonder, Wander’ was held in the David Welch Winter Gardens in November with the gardens being transformed by stunning light displays for all to enjoy.

Organised by the Friends of Duthie Park and sponsored by Ponticelli UK Ltd the event was a resounding success with more than 9,000 visitors enjoying the gardens in a completely different light over the six evenings.

A relaxed session was also held in conjunction with We Too! and Charlie House the night before opening to the public. A Friends of Duthie Park spokesperson commented: “The event, which will go ahead again this year, was a tremendous success and a heartfelt thanks to Granite City Events, the staff, volunteers and sponsors who went above and beyond to make it the experience it was.” 

The event was originally scheduled over three days but proved to be so popular a further three evenings were added which were also fully booked!

Hutton co-leads major research investment into national land use transformation

The James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen is to co-lead a first-of-its-kind consortium of 34 leading research and stakeholder organisations set up to help all four UK administrations address land use and agriculture as a major greenhouse gas emitting sector.

The “Land Use for Net Zero” (LUNZ) Hub, backed by £6.5 million funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), will provide UK and devolved nations timely evidence around land use, from renewable energy to soil carbon and green finance, to help drive the land transformations needed to achieve net zero.

The hub, co-led with the University of Leicester and with consortium partners including the University of Aberdeen and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), will also play a pivotal role in helping to communicate more widely the critical importance of land and how it’s used as a major carbon sink or source.

As well as co-leading the hub, the Hutton will be its main administrator, lead an innovative £1.5m Agile Policy Centre and provide project management and core research and expertise. Other Scottish consortium members are the University of Aberdeen, leading the soil health and carbon dynamics topic advisory group, and SRUC, heading the Scottish national team on the hub.

Hub co-lead, Professor Lee-Ann Sutherland, from the Hutton, explains “The science behind land use is highly complex, influenced by a range of economic, social and environmental factors, complicated further by a changing evidence base, novel market forces, the emergence of new data and models, and disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence.

“Our aim is to bridge the gap between researchers and policy makers and our work will be focused on meeting specific policy-maker needs, giving them the evidence they need in the format and timeframe they need it.”