The Scottish Government plans to achieve ‘net zero’ by 2045, which involves reducing harmful emissions 75% by 2030 and 100% by 2045.
In May 2022, the Scottish Government announced the establishment of a £500 million Just Transition Capital Fund to help the North East and Moray economy diversify away from carbon-intensive industries and take advantage of the benefits, including new jobs and increased profitability.
For the fund’s first year, 2022 to 2023, £20 million will be available, of which £1 million will be subject to participatory budgeting (PB), empowering communities to choose how to spend the grant.
Target the investment to create good, green jobs now and throughout the transition to net zero
Make sure communities are directly benefited by the Fund, including by deciding on and directing its spending
Develop partnerships with the private sector, especially shaping opportunities to crowd in private-sector finance
Collaborate at a local and national level on the decisions that impact the North East and Moray
A ten-year programme to invest in projects that will maximise the creation of jobs and other opportunities that also reduce the reliance on fossil fuels.
“It is vital that, as Scotland transitions its society and economy towards a low-carbon, net zero future, no individual, community or region is left behind. A just transition is about ensuring that this economic transformation is managed fairly for workers in existing industries.”
Richard Lochhead Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work & MSP for Moray
A series of projects have been allocated across Moray in the first round of funding, these include:
Moray Council received £881,000 for five projects:
Development of distillery, a Community Interest Company for the Cabrach region that would use its revenues for rural regeneration and community led regeneration master plan. £325,000
Findhorn Nairn & Lossie Rivers Trust – Creating a thriving, regenerated River Findhorn watershed, with an unbroken network of riparian woodland along its riverbanks, supporting the restoration of Wild Atlantic Salmon populations. – £970,000
Park Ecovillage Trust and Findhorn Innovation Research & Education – Four feasibility studies looking at shifting from conventional housing to net zero housing and transportation within the context of the ecovillage and beyond – £226,775
Feasibility study to identify the current skill gaps in Moray and what is holding it back in transitioning to net zero. Read more – £210,000
An allocation of £333,333 was also made via participatory budgeting (PB) to Moray community groups, managed by tsiMORAY and supported by Money for Moray.
Further information on the distribution of funding can be found on the Scottish Government website.
