Ariane Burgess, Scottish Green MSP for the Highlands & Islands region, led a discussion in the Scottish Parliament this week, focusing on the development of a Community Wealth Fund and enhancing community ownership of energy.
The event, titled “Creating Community Wealth through the Energy Revolution,” was part of the Cross-Party Group on the Wellbeing Economy.
Speaking after the event, Ms Burgess commented:
“The Highlands & Islands is at the forefront of Scotland’s transition to renewable energy.
“Despite hosting and delivering significant renewable energy projects, my constituents tell me they do not feel the benefit of the profits from the energy transition.
“This discussion aimed to address these concerns and explored ways to ensure that the financial rewards from renewable energy projects stay within local communities, generating wealth from the bottom up.”
Among the speakers at the event were Dr Josh Doble, Policy Manager at Community Land Scotland, who introduced the proposal for a National Community Wealth Fund for Scotland.
Developed by the Scottish Community Coalition on Energy, the plan would use Scotland’s natural capital assets to deliver long-term benefits for its people and communities.
A panel discussion featured prominent experts in the field: Laurie Macfarlane, Co-director of Future Economy Scotland; Gary Hughes, Economic Development Manager at SSEN Transmission and Rachel Searle, Head of Communities and Impact at Foundation Scotland
The panellists discussed various aspects of community wealth building, the importance of community ownership of energy, and strategies to ensure that the benefits of renewable energy projects are equitably shared across all communities in Scotland.
In her opening remarks, Ms Burgess stressed the critical need for a just transition to net zero, highlighting the importance of community empowerment and financial independence:
“People in the Highlands & Islands know how pivotal they are in our journey towards energy security and addressing the climate crisis.
“These communities must benefit directly from the renewable energy projects they host.
“That’s what has prompted the creation of community energy organisations like Highland People’s Power.
“The proposed Community Wealth Fund is a significant step towards ensuring that the financial rewards from these projects are reinvested locally, building sustainable wealth and resilience.”
Ms Burgess will be meeting with the First Minister, John Swinney, later this month to discuss how to take this plan forward.
