Community Action for a Greener Future
There’s a wealth of opportunities for communities taking climate climate action in Highland, Orkney and Shetland, but navigating the funding and support landscape can be complex.
When I joined the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub, I met a lot of people and organizations that were working on climate action and net zero. It was inspiring but overwhelming. I was trying to get my head around who was doing what and what was my role in all of this. After speaking to Ayesha, from Voluntary Action Shetland we agreed we needed to get together and answer a few questions.
What risk does physical climate change implications pose to our communities?
Who is supporting communities-led climate action in Shetland?
How does the community know the support available?
We decided that the key was collaboration. We brought together agencies and communities so that we can all learn about the work being undertaken by both sectors, maximise the support available to communities and understand our roles in progressing Scotland’s climate journey.
Community Action for a Greener Future brought together 9 different agencies all with different mechanisms to support community-led climate action: Voluntary Action Shetland, Islands Centre for Net Zero (ICNZ), Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Shetland Isles Council Community Planning and Development Team, Shetland Isles Council Climate Team, Community Energy Scotland, Local Energy Scotland, Home Energy Scotland and of course, the Highlands & Islands Climate Hub!
The support from each agency is unique, but still complimentary with the work of others. Organisations such as Community Energy Scotland, Local Energy Scotland and Home Energy Scotland take a focus on specialised advice. Whereas others can provide funding opportunities and community engagement support. The Highlands & Islands Climate Hub’s role is to signpost communities at each stage of their climate action journey to support their needs and builds their knowledge.
To understand which climate risks are most pertinent to the community in Shetland, and where the opportunities to adapt and mitigate might be, we worked on mapping Shetland’s climate action. We focused on how the physical impacts of climate change - extreme weather events, flooding, ocean acidification - pose a risk to Shetland, and we discussed where the priorities are and what communities are already doing.
One of the highlights of the day was hearing from Northmavine’s community and the work of their development trust, Northmavine Community Development Company (NCDC). In their rural and geographically dispersed community, NCDC have created a Rural Energy Hub, an e-bike scheme, community recycling facilities and local growing initiatives. Alongside, they pioneered the Polycrub, and now run its enterprise. They also generate income from renewable energy.
Hearing the success of NCDC in helping their community thrive through sustainable development was inspiring. They highlighted how the support from the agencies in the room had been invaluable in ascertaining all these opportunities for their community. Seeing how the combination of support that helped NCDC to be so successful affirmed that collaboration is the key to accelerating progress for our communities on their climate action journeys.
By celebrating the progress our communities are making we can emphasis the positive future that is ahead for Shetland, and Scotland, in the just transition.
The Highlands & Islands Climate Hub is thrilled to continue to support our network of organisations across Highland, Orkney & Shetland to pursue community-led climate action and create momentum for change. We encourage collaborative working and partnerships to strengthen projects. Our upcoming events offer an opportunity for members to connect - check out what is coming up soon. Not a member yet? Join our network here.
We are especially looking forward to celebrating Shetland Climate Festival on Saturday 13th September 2025!
