INVERCLYDE Council has won a COSLA Excellence Award for its work to improve the environment and cut carbon emissions.
The three-year Duchal Moor peatland restoration project and the planting of 10,600 trees at Coves Local Nature Reserve (LNR) won the Just Transition to a Net Zero Economy category.
All of Scotland’s 32 local authorities were invited to apply to the awards and Inverclyde Council was announced as the category winners at the ceremony in Crieff Hydro on September 19.
Councillor Paul Cassidy, vice-convener of the environment and regeneration committee, said, “I am thrilled that the vision behind these ambitious projects has been recognised at these national awards.
“The judging panel specifically highlighted the enthusiasm and dedication of our staff, which is a testament to the passion driving these initiatives.
“I want to extend my congratulations to everyone involved, particularly our colleagues in regeneration, environment, planning, and public protection services for their hard work. A special thanks goes to our park rangers, who have been instrumental in supporting the contractors at Duchal Moor.
“As I mentioned when the projects were shortlisted, they are innovative, impactful, and highlight the power of partnership working.
“We are already seeing positive outcomes, with reduced flooding at Duchal Moor and a decrease in anti-social behaviour at Coves, as more community groups and residents embrace the new pathways.”
The Duchal Moor project is restoring an area of 788 hectares of drained peatland in Inverclyde in a bid to cut carbon emissions. The council was awarded £768,705 from NatureScot’s Peatland ACTION partnership to carry out the work, which began on site in January 2024.
The project is being supported by the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network’s Clyde Peatlands initiative, which aims to increase the rate and scale of peatland restoration across the whole city region.
Meanwhile, a total of 10,600 trees have been planted at Coves Local Nature Reserve (LNR), which borders Greenock and Gourock. Work began in late February to plant the trees, which are all native Scottish species, as part of a £200,000 investment.
Inverclyde Council received the money from the Scottish Government’s nature restoration fund and commissioned Green Action Trust to carry out the work. Both projects are designed to improve the local environment and support delivery of the council’s Net Zero Action Plan 2022/27.
