Environmental analysis news: Scottish communities benefit from Climate Challenge Fund

Scottish communities are set to benefit from the Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) to the tune of £5.5 million, it has been revealed.

According to official government figures, 232 new projects have received financial assistance, which will help to cut carbon emissions by thousands of tonnes.

Environment secretary Richard Lochhead said the CCF initiative has captured the imagination of communities across Scotland .

"We believed that tailored approaches reflecting local needs delivers the best results and we have seen some truly inspirational ideas brought to the table," he commented.

Among those set to receive a grant is the Kilfinan Community Forest Company, which aims to purchase an area of woodland in order to create local jobs and produce timber products.

In other environmental news, the government earlier this week released a plan setting out ways in which businesses can use wood waste to generate power and reduce their energy costs.

Written by Joseph Hutton