Community groups come together to combat climate change

Organisatons share knowledge and skills at the launch of West Lothian’s Climate Action Network.

More than 60 people from 32 organisations attended the launch of the new climate hub, which will share knowledge and skills across the region, as well as helping groups find information about funding and resources, and connect people at grass roots level.

The launch event outlined the work being done by the Linlithgow Community Development Trust (LCDT), which has been involved for 15 years on projects that include teaching people how to grow food, learn about electric cars and the chance to rent e-bikes.

Carole Racionzer, the chairperson of LCDT, spoke about the group’s work across four key areas: circular economy, active and sustainable travel, green energy and promoting food growing. 

Ms Racionzer said: “We were delighted to be invited to speak at the launch of the West Lothian Climate Action Network.  Linlithgow has a long history of taking action on climate and LCDT plays its part with a multitude of projects in and around Linlithgow, including reuse and repair, active travel, renewable energy, food growing and more.

“We are so excited to be part of a larger network across West Lothian, bringing together like-minded organisations and encouraging new initiatives to develop and wish WLCAN every success.”

WLCAN, funded by Net Zero Scotland, is headed by a board of directors and senior development worker Neil Barnes who, as a resident of Linlithgow, has been a trustee with LCDT since 2017. As well as voluntary experience with this and other community trusts in locations including Fauldhouse, he brings experience from his career in renewable energy and sustainable development.

Donald Stavert, one of three directors overseeing the new staff team of WLCAN, said: “Community groups like LCDT are the backbone to our network, giving us a bridge to citizens concerned about the dangers of climate change.”

By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter

Team members from West Lothian’s Climate Action Network Hub at their launch in Livingston at the end of January.
Carole Racionzer, chair of the Linlithgow Community Development Trust speaks to a workshop at the launch of West Lothian Climate Action Network Hub