Environmental, Waste and Renewables Update

Here is a summary of today's Environmental, Waste and Renewables news:

STV: Community's tree planting mission to tackle climate change in Royal Deeside

The landscape of Royal Deeside is being restored by a charity to help tackle climate change. The River Dee Trust has pledged to plant a million trees to provide shade and has now reached half of its overall target. Rising temperatures have had a devastating impact on the River Dee, with the water now too warm to support the salmon there, which the river is famous for. River Dee Trust chair Sandy Bremner told STV News: “Salmon are under threat from rapidly rising temperatures, peak temperatures put salmon under thermal stress. It’s a few degrees from being lethal for salmon.”

Click here to read STV: Community's tree planting mission to tackle climate change in Royal Deeside.

BBC: Positive response to planning changes - minister

Reform to Jersey's planning permission service has received positive feedback, says Environment Minister Deputy Steve Luce. The key changes made in the last year included upgraded technology for the department, giving pre-application advice to users and the introduction of an industry partnership board, officials said. The board is made up of architects, developers and construction engineers who meet every two months to discuss changes to the service with senior planning officials.

Click here to read BBC: Positive response to planning changes - minister.

National: Scottish Highland distillery set for major transformation

A whisky distillery that featured in the BBC series Monarch of the Glen has received the green light from council planners to be transformed into a low-carbon operation. Glasgow Whisky has received planning approval by the Highland Council to modernise and upgrade its recently acquired Speyside Distillery. The redevelopment of the distillery is hoped to pave the way for a sustainable future for the historic site as it aims to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions in its whisky production.

Click here to read National: Scottish Highland distillery set for major transformation.

Scottish Housing News: Energy support scheme helps Highland families save almost £200k

A pioneering energy support programme has delivered substantial savings for social housing tenants across the Highlands, helping them cut energy costs and ease financial pressures. Since its launch in May 2023, the Affordable Warmth Highland scheme, led by Albyn Housing Society in partnership with Cairn Housing Association and environmental charity Changeworks, has generated £194,268 in total financial gains for participating households.

Click here to read Scottish Housing News: Energy support scheme helps Highland families save almost £200k.