Cumbrae has taken a significant step towards a low carbon future by publishing its Community Climate Action Plan.

The action plan, produced as part of the Scottish Government’s Carbon Neutral Islands project, will push the island towards key actions that will help it achieve a green future.

The pioneering project is supporting six islands - Great Cumbrae, Barra, Hoy, Islay, Raasay and Yell  - to become carbon neutral by 2040.

Mairi Gougeon, Scotland's cabinet secretary for rural affairs, land reform and islands, visited the island to help launch the action plan.

She said: “Supporting these islands in their journey towards net zero will not only benefit the environment, but will energise local economies and improve the general wellbeing of islanders.

“The knowledge gained throughout this will be shared to help support all of Scotland’s island and mainland communities, as they seek to forge a future that is both climate-friendly and sustainable.

““The publication of the six plans is a huge achievement for those involved and marks a significant milestone for the project.

“Community support is vital to its success - and so I’d like to congratulate everyone who has engaged with us, and helped us to reach this important point.”

Each island community has developed its own plan, which sets out the key actions they will take to help them achieve a carbon neutral and sustainable future.

On Cumbrae, these priorities include improving insulation in homes, upgrading to more energy efficient heating systems and looking at community owned renewable energy generation.

Plans also include increasing infrastructure for electric vehicles on the island, reducing petrol and diesel vehicle use, and improving walking and cycling routes.

Scott Watson, community development officer for Cumbrae with the Carbon Neutral Islands (CNI) initiative, has called on the island community to get behind the project and help make the 2040 target a reality.

He said: “These plans represent the dedication and collaboration of our communities and a commitment to meaningful action that will transform the way we live, work and sustain our islands.

“As we work towards 2040, it is about more than the urgent need to reduce our carbon footprint, but also creating resilient, vibrant island communities that will thrive for future generations.

“The CNI project has and continues to be a great opportunity for the islands involved and an example of what we can achieve working together.”

The full Community Climate Action Plan for Cumbrae can be viewed at www.communityenergyscotland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Website-Cumbrae-CCAP-Final-compressed.pdf.