Latest news with #ClimateChangeAct
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Plan to erect Glasgow battery storage system generates 26 objections
A planning application has been submitted to Glasgow City Council to erect the development in a field in the Greater Pollok area. Proposals include 12 containers housing the energy storage systems located on 9.5 acres of designated greenbelt land. The development would be surrounded by a 1.8 metre perimeter fence and include infrastructure located in a compound, security lighting and CCTV. Concerns over health and safety, fire risk, negative impact on wildlife, light pollution and loss of greenspace have been put forward by residents. A design statement submitted on behalf of the applicant, said: 'The proposed development would allow electricity from the national grid to be stored in batteries at times of low demand and then exported back to the grid at times of high demand. This will assist in ensuring a resilient grid, providing a more reliable supply of energy to users.' It added: 'The UK is legally bound through the Climate Change Act (2008) to reduce carbon emissions and increase electricity consumption from renewable resources. Energy storage facilities, such as the development, will play an important role in achieving this.' The system would store up to 24mw of energy. A total of 26 objections have been received against the bid from applicant GPC 1184 Ltd for the Parkhouse Road site. Ashley McKee said: 'I am concerned that this site would devalue properties in the area. I am also concerned about the negative impact this would have on wildlife. There are more suitable spaces in Glasgow that this facility could be placed. A residential area isn't the place for this.' Edward Leung said: 'Something like a battery energy storage facility is out of place beside a residential area and country park, and will constitute an eyesore. Simple screening won't be effective as the homes are in an elevated position over the battery site. He added: 'I worry about what happens if there is a malfunction at the battery site which could lead to large explosions/fires/chemical leaks so close to a residential area.'
Spectator
5 days ago
- Politics
- Spectator
Scotland's Ecocide Bill is pure moral posturing
Here we go again. The Scottish parliament risks embarking on yet another exercise in legislative virtue signalling: the Labour MSP Monica Lennon's emotively titled Ecocide Bill. The Scottish government is reportedly looking favourably on this legislation, which would make destroying the environment a criminal offence punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Needless to say, destroying the environment – intentionally or recklessly – is already illegal under numerous statutes: the Environmental Protection Act, the Wildlife and Countryside Act, and the Climate Change Act, to name but three. But, like the ill-fated Named Person Act, the Gender Recognition Reform Bill or the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act, this Ecocide Bill is designed to 'send a message'. That message being: damaging the environment is a really, very bad thing indeed and should be opposed by all right-thinking people. Much like those earlier legislative missteps, the unintelligible Ecocide Bill, if it goes the distance, will repealed, ignored, or, most likely, ruled ultra vires – beyond the powers of the Scottish Parliament.
STV News
5 days ago
- Business
- STV News
Plans for battery storage site in Glasgow facing objections
Plans for a battery storage site between Nitshill and Barrhead are facing 26 objections. A planning application has been submitted to Glasgow City Council to erect the development in a field in the Greater Pollok area. Proposals include 12 containers housing the energy storage systems located on 9.5 acres of designated greenbelt land. The development would be surrounded by a 1.8 metre perimeter fence and include infrastructure located in a compound, security lighting and CCTV. Concerns over health and safety, fire risk, negative impact on wildlife, light pollution and loss of greenspace have been put forward by residents. A design statement submitted on behalf of the applicant, said: 'The proposed development would allow electricity from the national grid to be stored in batteries at times of low demand and then exported back to the grid at times of high demand. 'This will assist in ensuring a resilient grid, providing a more reliable supply of energy to users.' It added: 'The UK is legally bound through the Climate Change Act (2008) to reduce carbon emissions and increase electricity consumption from renewable resources. Energy storage facilities, such as the development, will play an important role in achieving this.' The system would store up to 24mw of energy. A total of 26 objections have been received against the bid from applicant GPC 1184 Ltd for the Parkhouse Road site. Ashley McKee said: 'I am concerned that this site would devalue properties in the area. I am also concerned about the negative impact this would have on wildlife. There are more suitable spaces in Glasgow that this facility could be placed. A residential area isn't the place for this.' Edward Leung said: 'Something like a battery energy storage facility is out of place beside a residential area and country park, and will constitute an eyesore. Simple screening won't be effective as the homes are in an elevated position over the battery site. He added: 'I worry about what happens if there is a malfunction at the battery site which could lead to large explosions/fires/chemical leaks so close to a residential area.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Irish Examiner
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
59% in the North believe human activity is primary cause of climate change — poll
Less than 60% of people in the North believe human activity is the primary cause of climate change, an opinion poll has suggested. The Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) survey found that respondents have lower levels of trust in scientific expertise on climate change than those in similar surveys in Britain, Ireland, or elsewhere in Europe. According to the poll, 59% of respondents believe human activity is the primary cause. It shows that 86% believe human activity plays at least some role. This is one of the lowest levels of belief in Europe, placing the North just above Slovakia and Lithuania — and below the British average of 90% and 88% in Ireland. Despite this, the poll suggests that public concern remains high, with 80% of respondents viewing climate change as a serious threat to human civilisation. The majority of respondents support stronger international co-operation and political action to address it, with three-quarters wanting to see local politicians elected in their constituency do more to tackle climate change. The survey from ARK, a social policy hub, is a joint Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University initiative. The NILT survey is an annual survey recording public attitudes to social issues. In 2024, 1,199 adults gave their opinion on issues including criminal justice system, integrated education, adult safeguarding, skills and training needs, relationships with different communities living in the North, and gender-based violence. The latest research on climate change was carried out by Katy Hayward and Jonny Hanson from Queen's. Other findings included: Men are less likely than women to feel personally responsible or support political action to address climate change; Younger people (18-34) are less likely to feel a sense of personal responsibility to address climate change; Across the Brexit divide, Leave voters are more likely to be sceptical and less concerned than Remain voters; There are no major differences between rural and urban dwellers on the topic of climate change, although the former are less likely to trust scientific experts on the topic. Prof Hayward said: 'The Climate Change Act (2022) marked a significant step for the Northern Ireland Assembly but whether it actually leads to the necessary political action depends in part on public demand to see politicians uphold their commitments. 'This NILT data shows us that not only are most people in Northern Ireland (82%) concerned that climate change poses a serious threat to nothing less than the future of human civilisation, they actively want to see local politicians do more to tackle it.' Dr Hanson said: 'This data is a reminder that tackling climate change is as much a societal endeavour as a technical one.
Belfast Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
59% in NI believe human activity is primary cause of climate change
The Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) survey found that respondents have lower levels of trust in scientific expertise on climate change than those in similar surveys in the rest of the UK, Ireland or elsewhere in Europe. According to the poll, 59% of respondents believe that human activity is the primary cause. It also shows that 86% of respondents believe human activity plays at least some role. This is one of the lowest levels of belief in Europe, placing Northern Ireland just above Slovakia and Lithuania – and below the UK average of 90% and 88% in Ireland. Despite this, the poll suggests that public concern remains high, with eight out of 10 respondents viewing climate change as a serious threat to human civilisation. The majority of respondents support stronger international cooperation and political action to address it, with three quarters wanting to see local politicians elected in their constituency do more to tackle climate change. The survey from ARK, a social policy hub, is a joint Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University initiative. The NILT survey is an annual survey recording public attitudes to social issues. In 2024, 1,199 adults gave their opinion on issues including criminal justice system, integrated education, adult safeguarding, skills and training needs, relationships with different communities living here and gender-based violence. The latest research on climate change was carried out by Professor Katy Hayward and Dr Jonny Hanson from Queen's University. Other findings included: – Men are less likely than women to feel personally responsible or support political action to address climate change. – Younger people (18 to 34 years) are less likely to feel a sense of personal responsibility to address climate change. – Leave voters are more likely to be sceptical and less concerned than Remain voters. – There are no major differences between rural and urban dwellers on the topic of climate change, although the former are less likely to trust scientific experts on the topic. Professor Hayward said: 'The Climate Change Act (2022) marked a significant step for the Northern Ireland Assembly but whether it actually leads to the necessary political action depends in part on public demand to see politicians uphold their commitments. 'This NILT data shows us that not only are most people in Northern Ireland (82%) concerned that climate change poses a serious threat to nothing less than the future of human civilisation, they actively want to see local politicians do more to tackle it.' Dr Hanson said: 'This data is a reminder that tackling climate change is as much a societal endeavour as a technical one. 'Our attitudes to climate change in Northern Ireland will shape how we address it.' Dr Paula Devine from Queen's University Belfast and Director of the NILT survey said: 'For over 25 years, the Northern Ireland Life and Times survey has been recording public attitudes to key social issues affecting our lives. Understanding what people think is vital to addressing the climate crisis now and in the future.' The Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) Survey on attitudes to climate change is available at
