It was interesting to see Glasgow City Council launch their drive to recruit an army of 1,000 volunteers for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), over the past few weeks.
The global summit takes place this November in Glasgow, with the vital talks expected to bring together the largest gathering of heads of state ever hosted in the UK, alongside experts and campaigners, to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change.
Whether it will actually take place is still up in the air. With lockdown restrictions in place and a number of hotels across the country preparing to act as quarantine locations for travelers coming into Scotland – many are feeling there is no end in sight.
No one really knows what November will look like for the conferences, tourism or hospitality sectors, but it’s good to be prepared. The council have been prudent to begin signing up volunteers keen to do their part for the event, which has been billed as a “make or break” moment for tackling the issue of climate change by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
There is no escaping that climate change, alongside the current pandemic, is at the top of the current news agenda. Scientists agree our planet demands a radical change in nearly every way that we live our lives, and 2021 has been described by many as a critical moment for the world to stave off the effects of climate change.
Scotland may have benefitted greatly from fossil fuels, with our North Sea oil and gas fields providing much needed commerce and GDP for not just our own economy, but the UK as a whole, although it has declined in recent years. However, as pointed out by the UN Secretary and a plethora of scientists, we need to act now to drive down our carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, otherwise it may be too late.
As with oil, Scotland is in another great position to become an industry leader in energy, but this time renewables. Already we have played a world-class role in developing onshore wind and hydropower, across all levels, with two-thirds of the UK’s onshore wind power and 85 per cent of the UK’s hydro assets operating here in Scotland.
In order for us to do our best to mitigate the impact of our society on the planet, ambitious targets have been set by the Scottish Government to ensure we are in a full Net Zero Carbon position by 2045 in Scotland.
It is a tough ask, however our pioneering research and development into renewable technology, sustainability and smart energy networks will ensure that we remain at the forefront of this new, but imperative green trend.
One sector that will also need to adapt if it wants to meet the Scottish Government’s Net Zero Carbon target is the construction industry.
On a global scale, building construction and operations makes up a massive 40 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the building industry accounts for one-third of all waste going to landfill.
Closer to home, the construction industry accounts for approximately 60 per cent of UK materials used and the sector generates 47 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions – with 80 per cent of that made up from buildings in use.
Those within the industry, and especially housebuilders, who are ahead of the curve are looking to timber as a much more sustainable material to use to drive down their carbon footprint. Again, Scotland is in the perfect position to capitalise on this emerging trend.
Our woodlands and forestry, which cover over 1.46 million hectares of land, already contributes an estimated £1 billion to the Scottish economy, and as the construction industry moves further to utilise this natural resource, this is likely to increase exponentially.
With up to 85 per cent of new homes being built in Scotland using timber materials, almost three times as many than in England and Wales, and many public sector or commercial projects looking to wood instead of more traditional building materials – Scotland can be proud of the path we are carving for ourselves.
As the world’s eyes, hopefully, turn to Scotland in November for COP26, we can turn the spotlight onto the work we are doing to both unlock the potential of our home-grown resources in the fight against climate change and boosting our own economy in the process.
As data published by the UK’s main cash operator, LINK, showed Scotland experienced its steepest fall in cash machine withdrawals last year, I’m left wondering if we’re set to become an entirely cashless society.
While many opted to pay using cards or devices in place of cash long before COVID, the pandemic certainly appears to have accelerated the trend.
During the first national lockdown, there was concern that coins and notes could spread the virus, and the limit on contactless payments was raised from £30 to £45. With talk of this limit being raised to £100 in coming weeks, it looks like the shift in consumer behaviour is here to stay.
While there are many benefits to going cashless – for customers and businesses alike – there are also some downsides. Firstly, convenience. Time is saved on handling, storing and depositing cash. It could also lead to lower incidences of theft, if there is a lack of cash on-site for criminals to access.
However, relying on electronic payments means you are at the mercy of technology, which can be unreliable. Some also say it’s harder to control their spending when they’re not physically parting with cash.
There are concerns about how those who don’t have access to online banking, or indeed a bank account at all, would be impacted. Many still rely on going to their local bank branch or Post Office to pay bills and check their balance, and wiping out cash altogether could be unsettling and harmful for these people.
It’s vital that access to cash remains in place for this group, and that adequate support is provided to help them with any further transitions towards becoming a cashless society.
It Made Me Laugh
While Burns’ Night may have looked a little different for many of us this year, one Glasgow resident went all out to bring a smile to their neighbours’ faces by installing a ‘haggis sanctuary’ in their front garden.
Complete with Burns poetry tied to their fences and windows, and a homemade ‘haggis’ creature named Hamish, the outdoor display has grabbed the attention of other locals in the Pollokshields neighbourhood and has been shared extensively on social media.
I always enjoy seeing the unusual and unexpected ways in which people are keeping their spirits up, and this is a great example of something simple and fun to keep us entertained. It’s definitely encouraging to see we haven’t lost our sense of humour despite the testing times we continue to face.
It Made Me Weep
A study has revealed that over half of Scots aged between 16 and 34 are losing sleep because of concerns over money. The poll, commissioned by Christians Against Poverty (CAP), also showed that 60 per cent of young adults who are in debt feel their mental health has been negatively impacted because of their financial situation.
These stats are incredibly worrying, particularly amid predictions that the number of Scottish households in need of debt advice is set to increase in the coming year, as the ongoing financial impact of the pandemic continues to be felt.
Being in debt can be a very stressful situation for many at the best of times, so I can’t imagine how difficult it must be now, with so much uncertainty in the world.
