Green Corner

Tell us about the changes you’re seeing to East Lothian’s climate

Climate Ready South East Scotland is a new project to assess how our region could be affected by climate change and what we should do to prepare. We want to hear your stories of how extreme weather, and our changing climate, are affecting the communities and places you work with, and your ability to deliver essential services.

We need your help to find out about changes you are seeing, and your ideas for how best to increase resilience to support East Lothian’s people and places as the climate changes.

Add your experiences to our story map (it takes 2 minutes):

Have changes in the weather affected you or the people and places you work with?
Have you noticed impacts from storms, flooding, drought, and changing seasons?
Can communities cope? What about the infrastructure, public services, and businesses we rely on?
What would you like to see done in East Lothian to make it more resilient for the future?

To add your story go to: https://climatereadyses.commonplace.is/

Find out more: https://climatereadyses.org.uk/’

Tackling East Lothian’s nature emergency

East Lothian Councillors have been updated on the significant actions taken to protect and enhance biodiversity and restore natural habitats following the declaration of a Nature Emergency last year.

In October 2023, the council unanimously approved a motion recognising the decline in biodiversity and the impact of climate change on wildlife. Councillors requested an update on the progress and the development of an East Lothian Biodiversity Action Plan.

Collaborative Efforts

At the recent full Council meeting on August 27, several key initiatives were highlighted:

Levenhall Links, Musselburgh: Completion of nature restoration work has created a wetland habitat supporting wading birds, with over 10,000 trees planted on the former power station ash lagoons site
Coastal Habitats: Grassland restoration and the removal of Sea Buckthorn from Aberlady Bay, Gullane Bents, and Yellowcraig have helped restore dunes in these areas. These efforts were led by East Lothian Countryside Rangers and volunteers
Urban Greenspaces: Expansion of meadow and grassland areas in parks to support pollinators as part of the Nature Networks project
Funding: Secured external funding to support projects beyond council budgets
Partnerships: The success of these initiatives is attributed to the support and commitment of external partners and volunteers

Maximising Benefits

The council has a legal duty to report on its biodiversity conservation actions and has published various strategies related to open and natural spaces, biodiversity, and climate change commitments. These strategies are aligned to deliver maximum benefits, ensuring East Lothian contributes to international and national efforts to protect and restore nature, tackle climate change, and reduce its impacts.

Find out more