Hansard

Last week was climate week, although I am sure that the minister will agree that, looking at business in the chamber this week, it feels like this is climate week in Parliament. Climate week is an event aimed at inspiring action to be taken throughout Britain to tackle climate change.

We often use terms in the chamber such as “a million tonnes of CO2 equivalent” yet our constituents are more likely than not—particularly at a time when pay packets are stretched—to be more interested in lowering their household bills. The reality is that we can do both. It is possible to lower fuel bills while staying warm. Many people just need a helping hand to give them the proper advice to make that change. That is why I am pleased today to acknowledge the fantastic work of Greener Kirkcaldy and its staff and volunteers. I welcome Lisa Farrell, Fraser Nicol, Heather Petrie, Jackie Vural and Allan Levack to the chamber.

Scotland has ambitious climate change targets, but passing them was the easy part. While Government and Parliament are vital in establishing the correct policy framework and the tools that are needed to deliver, it is the people who work on the ground in our communities who will make the real difference. Greener Kirkcaldy is a community-led charity that is committed to taking action on environmental issues, particularly climate change. Formed in 2009, at a time when people throughout Scotland, including here in the Parliament, were seriously debating the challenges that we as a society face in lowering our emissions, Greener Kirkcaldy began its work to benefit its community and help Kirkcaldy to turn green.

Through the hard work of staff and volunteers, Greener Kirkcaldy helps households and organisations to make important changes to ensure a more sustainable and greener environment. It offers courses and workshops that aim to encourage Fifers to lower their food bills, reduce their waste and grow, cook and eat seasonal, local food. It works in community settings and schools, encouraging people to make positive changes and raising awareness of our environmental responsibilities.

Based on Kirkcaldy High Street, Greener Kirkcaldy has an advice centre and eco-shop that promote fair trade produce and provide practical advice and support. I was in there last week and it has a great display of low-energy light bulbs so that people can see what type of light a bulb produces before they buy it. That might seem simple, but some people, particularly elderly people, are reluctant to change because of a perception or experience of dim lighting. That practical display helps people to make that change.

Greener Kirkcaldy’s initiative cosy Kirkcaldy aims to help locals to keep warm for less, with free impartial advice that provides a home energy makeover. I have signed up for a home energy check, as the service has been expanded throughout Fife. By making a home visit, staff are able to find ways to save the household money while reducing energy waste. Greener Kirkcaldy will check whether the home is eligible for any grants and offers, such as a free insulation top-up, and help households to understand better their energy bills and tariffs. Often, adjustment to a thermostat or a better understanding of how a boiler works can make a big difference.

As part of its Fife healthy heating network, Greener Kirkcaldy offers a handyman service. Often, relatively small and inexpensive changes, such as putting up a curtain rail and a pair of heavy curtains, can make a significant improvement in keeping a room or home cosy.

It is important that Greener Kirkcaldy’s advice is free and impartial. It provides a first port of call for anyone who is thinking about installing new technologies. Home renewables is a growing industry and people can be put under too much pressure from door-to-door sales. It can be difficult to identify what an acceptable market price is for the offer and to tell whether one is getting a good deal. Greener Kirkcaldy can help people through that maze.

Greener Kirkcaldy is also a partner in shine on Fife, which offers locals the opportunity to find out whether solar panels are right for their home. Some may suggest that the sun always shines on Fife—it is ideally placed on the beautiful east coast to take advantage of solar energy. Greener Kirkcaldy, working with home energy Scotland, Fife Council and St Andrews environmental network, provides the information and assessment that people need to make an informed choice. It is able to tell locals what is right for their homes but, equally important, it can advise on what is not right, and then highlight the full range of funding options and help to ensure that a certified installer is chosen.

In December, Greener Kirkcaldy was awarded money from the Big Lottery Fund to roll out the Fife healthy heating network throughout the kingdom of Fife. Working with St Andrews environmental network, Citizens Advice and Rights Fife, and Fife Council’s fuel povertyerty officer, the project is expected to help 1,000 people to stay warm while keeping their fuel bills under control.

I recently went to Greener Kirkcaldy’s annual gathering, and I was so impressed by the range and diversity of the work that it does. Staff and volunteers at the gathering talked about their projects, and their enthusiasm and commitment were great to see, particularly that of the volunteers who work in the community orchard and the training area at Ravenscraig’s walled garden. It was clear to me that their work is not just about addressing climate change, but about developing people’s skills, forming friendships and growing a community. Their impact punches well above the size and weight of the organisation.

There are new projects on the horizon. There are great plans to develop an edible wild garden in Dunnikier park. We know that all towns have parks that have swathes of green. The Dunnikier project is thinking imaginatively about how to use some of that space to provide greater community benefit and improve the area’s biodiversity. The project is also developing early plans for a community food hub. That is a very positive venture that seeks to address issues of food sustainability, affordability and healthy eating. I look forward to playing any part that I can in making it a success.

Greener Kirkcaldy has been funded principally by the climate challenge fund, which has provided vital support for organisations working on local solutions. However, the voluntary and community sectors are on a continual funding search, and I am sure that the minister appreciates the challenges that exist for an organisation to become sustainable. Greener Kirkcaldy has a level of funding security over the next wee while and the Big Lottery Fund support is very welcome. However, how does the minister see the future for organisations working in this sector? Where will the opportunities for support come from?

I thank again the staff and volunteers of Greener Kirkcaldy, including those who are in the public gallery today. The formation of an idea is only the beginning, and sometimes it is the easiest part of launching a new venture. What is then needed is the time and effort to turn that idea into a reality. Greener Kirkcaldy is successful because it is a great project with hard-working and dedicated staff and volunteers. If it was not for their contribution, our communities would be poorer places. They play such an important part in empowering communities and building their capacity and resilience. I am delighted to have had the opportunity to share knowledge of their work with members today.