Schools in Scotland awarded funding to cut emissions

The Scottish Government has announced the projects to receive a share of £12 million to help public buildings become more energy efficient and cut carbon emissions.

The Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund will support 10 projects with grants ranging from £41,000 up to £2.5 million for upgrades including better insulation, new windows, solar panels, and clean heating systems.

The upgrades will make buildings warmer, reduce energy bills, and help Scotland reach its target of net zero emissions by 2045.

Stirling Council has received funding for Cornton Primary School to install new air source heat pump to replace existing gas fired heating plant. Energy efficiency measures including a building management system and loft insulation will also be installed, alongside enhanced heating and domestic hot water controls which will allow for improved operational efficiency of the new heat pump. 

Fife Council has also received funding for Aberhill, St Agatha’s, and Carnegie Primary School where existing gas boilers and a combined heat and power unit will be replaced with air source heat pumps. Various energy efficiency measures will also be installed including insulation improvements, building management systems and Solar PV. 

Climate Action and Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: "Reducing emissions and making our buildings greener is one of the most important steps we can take to tackle climate change, and is a key action in our recently published draft Climate Change Plan.   

“I have seen first-hand the hard work and commitment of the public sector to transform Scotland’s buildings by taking action to decarbonise and improve the energy efficiency of public buildings, like the Mitchell Library.   

“The public sector are leading by example, and these projects show the scale of ambition on our journey to net zero.   

“By investing in clean heating and energy-saving measures now, we are not only reducing emissions but also lowering energy costs for years to come." 

Glasgow Life’s Facilities Manager Andy Taylor said: “We’re committed to achieving low carbon infrastructure that protects our cultural heritage and enables Glasgow Life to deliver valued public services more sustainably. We are grateful to the Scottish Government and Salix for this investment, which represents a significant step for our charity and for Glasgow in the city’s journey towards net zero.

"Working closely with our brilliant partners at CBRE Global Workplace Solutions, this project proves that large historic and complex buildings can be decarbonised at scale while remaining in public use, as we strive to create a greener, more energy-efficient Glasgow for generations to come.”