We are so excited about Scotland’s carbon neutral islands!

In 2022, six Scottish islands – Hoy, Islay and Great Cumbra, Raasay, Barra and Yell – were selected by the Scottish government to become carbon neutral by 2040.

These islands will be considered carbon neutral once greenhouse gas emissions are in balance or surpassed by the amount of CO2 being stored in carbon sinks.

The Scottish government’s Carbon Neutral Island Project (CNI) is committed to:

• Building climate resilience
• Creating island-based jobs
• Supporting community-led climate action
• Providing sustainable lifestyle within communities
• Contributing to the Scottish Government’s pledge to reach net zero by 2045

This community-based approach means that each island’s leadership plays a vital role in deciding how to reach carbon neutrality, according to its social and geographical circumstances.

Eigg electric

In 2008, the Isle of Eigg, one of the Small Isles in the Scottish Inner Hebrides that is also community-owned, became the world’s first community to launch an off-grid electric system.

This locally-generated renewable energy scheme, known as Eigg Electric, supports its 120+ residents using a combination of sun, wind and water. 

Find out more from the residents themselves in the video below.

VIDEO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud1lknlWJqk

Here at Madhatter Creative Co., we can’t wait to hear more about the project’s progress. We hope this will be a catalyst for widespread action far beyond these fair Scottish isles.

Do you know a great example of community-led climate action in Scotland? Let us know!