In 2024 Carbon Neutral Islay received a grant to install solar on 6 community buildings to improve their journey to Net Zero. CNI would like to address any additional measures required to improve these outcomes for the initial tranche, but also bring in the remaining community buildings to the project. 

The energy cost of heating and running these buildings is increasing, making keeping them in operation more and more difficult for volunteer trustees. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach as each building is vastly different, CNI would like to increase the energy efficiency by carrying out any works that may impact the effectiveness of the initial solar investment such as wall insulation, LED lighting, replacing and repairing doors and windows as required and installing additional heating measures when necessary.

This intervention will not only reduce the running costs of the buildings themselves making them more efficient but also open up the space to increased community use, adding to their sustainability.

Some of the buildings are simply not used in winter as they are too cold. By addressing each building's issues this project can improve the outcomes for the communities that use them. 

Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle has begun it’s journey to becoming carbon neutral. In 2024 the building was successfully incorporated into a funding bid to Carbon Neutral Islands project to secure solar panels,

Now, to improve the organisations outcomes for the college in becoming carbon neutral and build on what has been achieved, additional measures are required.

The project proposes a range of measures including installation of a small-scale wind turbine, repair and replacement of some of the outdated windows and doors plus any insulation works required.

ICCI will commission a full energy survey from Business Energy Scotland and his core document will be used to shape the project going forward.

This will vastly accelerate the path to Net Zero but also offer additional community benefits for regular users by means of reduced energy costs, making the project more sustainable long term.

The college is a popular community space with a range of community initiatives and events. The benefits of this project will run for the lifespan of the measures installed. 

Carbon Neutral Islay intends to work with Argyll and Bute Council by increasing the number of EV standard charging points around the island but also to include a solar canopy off grid charging station.

Islay’s Grid is severely constrained and to meet the demand in increasing EV ownership, these facilities are needed, however obtaining the necessary connection to facilitate EV charging points is not automatic because of these constraints.  

This is a new approach for Islay and as the number of EV vehicles increases – from local community members and visitors – more in service charging stations are required.

The project proposes to install EV points in key areas, which will allow blanket coverage of the island and offer more flexibility. The length of time for charging electric vehicles means that existing charging points are much in demand, with queues in areas that are already restrictive for parking, especially Bowmore.

The solar charging station can be modular, portable and easy to install anywhere off grid.

The project will run for the lifetime of the asset which is currently 10 years.  There is also opportunity to partner with another CNI island – Cumbrae  - on procurement and joint working.  

1. Create a net work of safe pathways across and around the island 

2. We need to encourage people to walk or cycle and not bring cars to Islay. Present roads are unsafe for both walkers and cyclists.

3. Walkers and cyclists contribute to the local economy and reduce the carbon footprint

4. The pathway would take approx one year to complete

1. To create safe walking and wheeling paths to connect the villages of Islay

2.There are no safe pavements or paths connecting the villages which forces people to use cars.

3.The paths improve public safety and health and reduce our carbon footprint.

4.Once planning is approved construction would take about one year.

We would work with A&B council, Transport Scotand and Islay Estates.

1. To create new paths where there are none and to upgrade the existing pathway from Keills to Ballygrant to make a safe off road pedesrain and wheeling pathway that would allow everyone safe travel between the villages on Islay where there are no pavements or paths and everyone has to use the open road alond with heavy and fast traffic.

2. There are no pavements or safe access for pedestrains or cyclists to get from village to viallage and if a path network can be installed then visitors can leave their cars on the mainland and safely walk or cycle all around the island

3. By installing such active travel paths this would inprove public safety and health by allowing freedom to walk or wheel around the island.

4. It is invisaged that the path could be constructed within a year of planning being granted.

This project would be carried out in conjunction with the following:-

A&B council

Transport Scotland

Islay Estates

Dunlossit estates.

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