Holyrood backs a green future for Grangemouth

Speaking this week, the First Minister announced the formation of a special Grangemouth Future Industry Board which will work alongside initiatives and funding already in place to secure a sustainable future for the town.

She said: “One of Scotland’s biggest industrial employers – and largest emitters – is, of course, Grangemouth. I can confirm we will establish a Grangemouth Future Industry Board to support a just transition at that cluster, promoting economic activity while advancing the move to a low-carbon future.

“We will also do much more to support the circular economy, and new energy technologies such as carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen.”

The move was welcomed by Falkirk Council leader Cecil Meiklejohn, who stated there were already moves afoot to accomplish those aims.Councillor Meiklejohn said: “This is a welcome announcement for Grangemouth and we have been in a number of discussions already about how we can make this work effectively. Essentially this is a mechanism to connect the various tiers of government to meet the challenges and to progress opportunities at Grangemouth.

“It’s a helpful step and we will look to align it with the Falkirk Economic Partnership. We look forward to working with the members of the Grangemouth Future

Industry Board to help address the challenges and take forward the opportunities at Grangemouth, particularly in relation to the climate change agenda and the delivery of the Investment Zone.”

The Grangemouth/Falkirk Investment Zone project received a £90 million boost from the UK and Scottish governments in July to help it realise its aim of boosting the economy and creating jobs.

A Falkirk Council spokesperson said: “This will be the key to creating economic vitality, supporting and energising industry and driving renewed investment in innovative technology that will transform industry in Grangemouth, responding to climate change and work toward a greener, more sustainable future.”

Th UK Government came up with £40 million as part of Falkirk’s long-awaited Growth Deal and £50 million came from the Scottish Government to be invested over 10 years.