A Guide to Local Environmental and Conservation Groups and How You Can Get Involved

See below for more information. You can also download the leaflet (in MS Publisher format) here

As an MP I know well from meetings and my post-bag that people across North Edinburgh and Leith show a great deal of interest in environmental issues. They are concerned with international efforts to combat climate change as well as the conservation work taking place in our local communities.

To find out more about my work on the environment both in the constituency and in Parliament, click here

I hope this guide provides some useful information on how to reduce your carbon emissions as well as details on how to get in touch with some of the local groups working to protect our environment.

Mark Lazarowicz MP

Changeworks     www.changeworks.org.uk

Changeworks are an Edinburgh-based organisation which develops innovative community projects  and assist businesses in increasing energy efficiency, cutting waste and promoting low-impact transport solutions.

Carbon Trust     www.carbontrust.co.uk

Carbon Trust is a government-funded independent company which helps businesses and the public sector to cut carbon emissions and to exploit the potential of low carbon technologies.

Energy Saving Trust      www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

EST are a non-profit organisation providing information and advice on how you can be more energy efficient in your home. From insulation to energy saving appliances and other household goods, EST’s advice can help to save you  money and fight climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions from your home.

Edinburgh Community Energy Company          www.edinburghcommunityenergy.btik.com
See more details below

Friends of the Earth (Scotland)   www.foe-scotland.org.uk

Friends of the Earth Scotland campaigns for solutions to environmental problems and is one of the country's most influential environmental campaigning organisations.
FoE Scotland is part of the most extensive environmental network in the world, with almost 1 million supporters across five continents and more than 70 national organisations worldwide.

Friends of Montgomery Street Park  www.brunswick-greene.com/

This group aims to make Montgomery Street Park a better place, a place where everyone can enjoy spending time playing, relaxing, gardening or just being in the park.

Friends of Dalmeny Street Park  www.fdsp.btik.com

The group runs a series of community events in the park, including picnics and tea parties, community gardening, basketball tournaments, football 5-aside, picnics and has also been involved in shaping local initiatives such as Streetlife, the Leith Open Spaces Project and the Planters Project.

Friends of Hillside & Calton area           www.spanglefish.com/FriendsofHillsideCaltonArea/
Aims to maintain and enhance all our green spaces, from Calton Hill to Montgomery Street Park, by bringing local people together and working with other groups and organisations.

Friends of Inverleith Park   www.inverleithpark.co.uk

A volunteer community group dedicated to conserving the park as a valuable recreational amenity for all. The group supports the conservation, promotion and improvement of the park.

Friends of Hopetoun Crescent Gardens             www.hopetouncrescentgarden.org.uk

Dedicated to improving the nature and quality of the park.

Friends of King George V and Scotland Yard Parks
    www.liquidteam.co.uk/projects/kgvsy/

A registered charity which works to improve the park and organise events for the community.

Greener Leith     www.greenerleith.org

Greener Leith exists to improve the Open Spaces throughout Leith. It is a non-profit voluntary association, run by volunteers with a connection to Leith.

Leith Open Space    www.leithopenspace.co.uk

Organises multicultural discussions in Leith. Also involved with Persevere Community Garden -  see here www.leithopenspace.co.uk/category/persevere-community-garden/

Spokes  - The Lothian Cycle Campaign  www.spokes.org.uk

Spokes has been campaigning for over 20 years for cycling as a means of transport in and around Edinburgh, Scotland.

Edinburgh Community Energy Company

www.edinburghcommunityenergy.btik.com

The Edinburgh Community Energy Co-operative Ltd. was formed at the end of 2007 with the support of Co-operative Development Scotland. It was set up to give Edinburgh residents a vehicle to promote and develop renewable energy in the city. Mark Lazarowicz MP has been involved in setting up the Edinburgh Community Energy Company.

Edinburgh Community Energy Co-operative Ltd encourages people from all walks of life to be part of the ‘renewable revolution’, to get involved in the race against the inevitable reality of climate change and help prevent the consequences of flooding and drought among other emerging penalties that derive from raising sea levels and increased global temperatures.
Join the co-operative and become involved in the use of renewable energy in Edinburgh. Find out more on their website at: www.edinburghcommunityenergy.btik.com