Scottish Government pledges 650 places for eco jobs training

By Shaun Milne

SCOTLAND’S eco industry received a boost of 650 new training places today (tues).

Education Secretary Michael Russell pledged the new support for employers working to support a low carbon economy.

The training, to be delivered through Skills Development Scotland, is being funded with the support of the European Social Fund.

The Scottish Government said the announcement would help firms reskill or upskill employees in low carbon technologies, helping with the economic benefits of greener business.

Climate Camp activists arrested in day of protests across Edinburgh

By Shaun Milne, Christine Lavelle, Amanda MacMillan & Martin Graham

CLIMATE change activists were accused of being “reckless” after launching a wave of protests against the Royal Bank of Scotland today (mon).

Hundreds of protestors from across the UK gathered in Edinburgh to target bank buildings across the city.

But the Climate Camp group were blamed for potentially putting lives at risk when a busy road was coated in what was thought to be vegetable oil.

And they were also accused of earlier wielding hammers and firing missiles at police in the build up to today’s tense stand-off.

Speaking at RBS HQ police superintendent Lesley Clark said police strategy towards protesters changed after her officers were subjected to claimed violence on Sunday which left several windows at the HQ smashed.

She said: “A group of protesters were throwing missiles and some were wielding hammers.

“This means that we are now dealing with anti social behaviour rather than peaceful protest, and we will respond appropriately.

“There seems to be an element who are determined to wreak havoc, we will be working to protect the public and maintain order.

“We have drafted in officers from most Scottish forced and there is a substantial police presence on site.”

However protestors said they had remained peaceful throughout and denied the claims.

Kevin Smith from the Climate Camp Group said: “Some people pushed past the police to get access to the site – but I didn’t see missiles or hammers used.”

Cut-price electric cars in Scotland thanks to Chinese firms

By Rory Reynolds

CHINESE firms are planning to sell electric cars in Scotland for as little as £5,000.

Imports expected to arrive next year are set to slash the price of green cars, many of which are sold for around £20,000.

And currently many electric models have a range of just 60-70 miles, making them a luxury to all but the most eco-conscious drivers.

However, many of the new generation vehicles, made by firms like BYD, will top the 100-mile barrier, with some reaching a range of 200 miles.

Health and safety prevents donation

By Cara Sulieman

A PRIMARY school has been unable to display a hard-earned eco award outside their building because of health and safety fears.

Craigroyston Primary in Edinburgh won a Green Flag award for showing lasting commitment to environmental issues.

The skint school could not afford over £2,000 to install a flag pole and were forced to hang the flag on a wall.

But when a generous contractor offered free poles left from another job the city’s council put a stop to works until they carried out “checks” on the pole.

Bailed-out bank “should put cash into eco-fight”

By Michael MacLeod

THE Royal Bank of Scotland should be forced to help save the world from global warming by backing “ethical” projects according to a top business academic.

The idea would see RBS ploughing cash into eco-friendly energy firms and promoting renewable power.

The banking giant – which is 73 per-cent owned by the Government – should be pressurised into the move according to the director of the Centre for Business and Climate Change at the Edinburgh Business School.

Dr Craig Mackenzie was speaking out in a report backed by Friends of the Earth.

Council ditches desks in home-working eco drive

By Alexander Lawrie

A SCOTS council is looking for hundreds of staff to start working from home or on the move – so it can axe 1000 desks.

The eco plan is from Edinburgh City Council which wants to improve its green credentials and help drive down rising costs.

The council wants to identify around 1,300 members of staff who they believe can work without the need for a desk.

And in the longer term, authority chiefs believe a third of their workforce – almost 6,500 staff – will be able to do their jobs without sitting at a permanent berth.

Gordon Brown urged to get ahead on climate change

By Cara Sulieman

A GORDON Brown lookalike dressed as a life-guard hit a beach in the PM’s own back yard today (thurs) to send an SOS on climate change.

The giant headed doppelganger urged the real prime minister to become a ‘lifesaver’ ahead of the forthcoming climate conference in Copenhagen.

With 100 days until the talks – which aim to create a new deal to replace the Kyoto Protocol – campaigners from Oxfam gathered in Gordon Brown’s constituency to raise awareness of the issues at stake.