The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Charity registered in Scotland SC003558. Registered office Caledonian Exchange, 19A Canning Street, Edinburgh EH3 8EG.
Climate confident village halls
The climate emergency affects us all. But as organisations across the third sector try to cope with rising running costs and increasing demand on services, environmental action can too often be pushed down the road. We want to help you understand your options, whether you’re unsure where to start or already taking action and want more ideas.
Growing Climate Confidence
Growing Climate Confidence is a support programme helping charities, social enterprises, and community groups across Scotland take meaningful climate action, reduce carbon emissions, and build long term resilience.
We provide practical, entry level guidance for organisations beginning their sustainability journey. Through our resources, training and tools, we help you understand the climate crisis, identify your organisation’s environmental impacts, and take positive steps that strengthen both your work and your community.
The climate crisis affects everyone — but especially those already facing disadvantage. By acting now, Scotland’s third sector can reduce emissions, support nature, and build resilience in the communities most at risk.
At the heart of the programme is our Check-Up Tool,which helps you assess where you are now and discover tailored actions you can take next. Our free, interactive training on carbon reduction and climate resilience supports you to plan both short and long term improvements, with follow up support available to turn learning into action.
Growing Climate Confidence is delivered in collaboration with a wide range of partners, each playing a unique role in shaping and evolving this support over time. For more information, contact chiara.fingland@scvo.scot or Book a Call.
Seven practical steps organisations can take now
To help you begin taking action, below are some simple and affordable steps most community buildings can get started with right away.
- Start with a simple energy audit - A basic audit helps identify where energy is being lost and where quick improvements are possible.
- Make lowcost changes first - Adjust heating controls, draughtproof doors and windows, switch to LED lighting and reduce unnecessary equipment use. These actions deliver immediate benefits.
- Use smart controls and better management - Improved controls help prevent waste and ensure heating and lighting match actual building use.
- Explore options for improving your building fabric - Explore what a phased plan could look like. Insulation and airtightness can reduce longterm running costs and increase comfort however solutions need to be tailored to your site.
- Explore renewable options when your building is ready - Solar PV, battery storage and other renewable technologies perform best once energy demand is reduced. Contact the Community Energy Launchpad for further details.
- Conduct a site survey to identify climate risks and hazards - Schedule a site walk with a printed floor plan or map to identify areas vulnerable to climate hazards such as flooding, extreme temperatures, storms, or drought. Find a checklist here. The Community Ownership Support Service also has some useful facilities management resources which can be accessed here.
- Check if your premises is in an area of flood risk - Visit SEPA Flood Map here.
Find out more about steps you take to improve the climate impact of your buildings and energy use on the Growing Climate Confidence website. Get tips from other in the sector by checking out our recent blog on future proofing community buildings and ‘In Real Life’ stories.
A note on rented or leased premises
If you rent your premises, you may not have direct control of energy efficiency in your community space. Getting your landlord onside is important and can help you make the community space more sustainable, even when you don’t have ultimate responsibility. And the more people ask this of landlords, the more they will see it as an important part of providing tenancy.
For example, your landlord could look at draught exclusion to save on the need to heat space, and minimising wasted energy. Other areas to look at include water use, recycling facilities, hand dryers, etc.
The Green Lease toolkit from the Better Buildings Partnership helps tenants and landlords work together to reduce energy consumption and waste, moving cooperation forward and providing templates for formal inclusion in lease agreements.
The Weston Property Manual from the Ethical Property Foundation, has a useful section on building energy use, conservation and improving environmental performance as part of operational strategy.
Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES)
Alongside efficiency improvements, some community groups may also want to explore renewable energy options or larger projects. Support is available to guide you through this. If your community group is interested in renewable energy but unsure where to start, the Community Energy Launchpad can help.
The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) provides funding and support to help communities benefit from the transition to net zero. The scheme is delivered by Local Energy Scotland. The Launchpad is being delivered by Community Energy Scotland in partnership with Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS), who help community enterprises develop. The Launchpad will also work closely with the Climate Action Hubs across Scotland.
Delivered by Community Energy Scotland, in partnership with DTAS and working alongside Climate Action Hubs, the Launchpad provides:
- One-to-one support from a local Community Energy Officer
- Help to identify suitable renewable energy options for your community
- Expert advice on governance, finance and technology
- Connections to experienced community mentors
- Workshops and learning sessions, with support available for travel and childcare
Whether you’re exploring a small energy improvement or a larger community project, the Launchpad can help you become “project ready” and confident in your next steps.
For more information, contact launchpad@communityenergy.scot.
Community Halls and Community Resilience
Energy improvements are just one part of building a stronger, more resilient community. Community halls also have an important role to play in wider local resilience.
As trusted, familiar places at the heart of communities, they can become the first point of support during challenging times — from severe weather and power outages to social isolation or unexpected local events. Their flexible spaces, strong local networks and community leadership mean they are well placed to offer warm, safe spaces, share information, coordinate volunteers and bring people together when it matters most.
Community halls can also strengthen resilience by supporting shared community resources, such as tool libraries, shared equipment, community fridges, EV chargers, or emergency supplies. These shared facilities help reduce costs, build skills, and make it easier for communities to prepare for and respond to local challenges.
Many rural and remote communities already use their halls in this way. A strong example is Glendaruel Village Hall, where the community has developed a practical and adaptable approach to resilience planning.
You can read the case study on here.
We’ll be adding further guidance and resources on resilience for community halls — watch this space for updates.
Has your village or community hall taken action to make your space and activities more environmentally friendly and sustainable? Tell us about it, to share ideas and inspire others.