Climate change - public engagement strategy: mid-point review
The climate change public engagement strategy committed to a review at the mid-point of delivery. The review provides a summary of activities delivered since the publication of the strategy, reflects on the approach being taken and recommends improvements to achieve objectives in future delivery.
Annex B: Legacy Trusted Messengers Activity
Eco-Congregations Scotland
Eco-Congregations Scotland is an ecumenical environmental charity which helps churches address climate change. Scottish Government supported Eco-Congregations Scotland with core funding between 2003 and 2023, with their most recent grant of £61,000 in 2022-23. Member churches commit to climate actions and serve as environmental champions in their communities, spreading best practice and encouraging action.
Over the funding period 2022-23, Eco Congregations Scotland’s outcomes also included:
- increased number of registered eco-congregations in Scotland from 586 to 651
- increased commitment by Scottish churches to achieving net zero emissions in their church by the end of the decade, with over 75% of eco-congregations and at least 62% of churches overall across Scotland making commitments and starting to plan towards this goal.
2050 Climate Group
Scottish Government provided core funding to the 2050 Climate Group between 2014 and 2022-23 to support its work to empower Scotland’s young people to take action on climate change. The group has been an important vehicle for engaging young people in the development of climate change policy within Scottish Government and has been the focus of a case study within the PES.
In 2022-23, the organisation received £65,000 from Scottish Government. With this funding, it delivered a range of networking, training and awareness raising activities. Outputs included:
- A Young Leader Development Programme through which 150 young people developed their understanding of climate change and the confidence to take action.
- A range of projects relating to sustainable fashion, eco-anxiety, rewilding and other themes
- Climate-related policy consultation which supported young people to respond to Scottish Government policy proposals
Following its 2022-23 core funding award, the 2050 Climate Group then applied for, and was awarded, grant funding through the Climate Engagement Fund in 2023-24.