Social investment body announces £5m carbon net zero support fund

Charities in Scotland are being offered financial support from a £5m fund to make the transition to carbon net zero.

The funding has been launched by Social Investment Scotland (SIS) and Zero Waste Scotland.

It will offer loans starting at £10,000 and small grant of up to £20,000 may be available through a blended loan and grant offer.

The Social Enterprise Net Zero Transition Fund is also available to social enterprises and community organisations. It is part of the Scottish Government’s £30m Third Sector Growth Fund, which was announced in March.

“Scotland’s transition to a net zero economy requires bold and innovative solutions from every sector of our economy, including our social enterprise and third sectors,” said SIS head of investments Chris Jamieson.

“These organisations have a key role to play in ensuring that this transition is fair and just, due to their ability to deliver social and environmental impact.

"However, their ambitions are often constrained by the limited resources at their disposal.

“The Social Enterprise Net Zero Transition Fund will provide finance to support these ambitions, helping Scotland’s third sector adopt earth-friendly practices while contributing products and services to address one of society’s biggest challenges.”

The funding is aimed at helping charities to reduce their energy consumption, improve energy efficiency, develop renewable energy sources, transition to sustainable transport options as well as minimise food waste.

Zero Waste Scotland chief executive Iain Gulland added: “Many social enterprises and charities in Scotland are leading the way with imaginative and ground-breaking ways to help us reduce the destructive impact of waste on our planet and meet our net zero targets.

“But we know financial obstacles can restrict their progress, or sometimes even prevent them from launching at all.”

Earlier this month it emerged that more than eight in ten charities in the UK do not yet have a net zero commitment built into their organisations. Also, just 14% currently report on their carbon emissions.