Accelerating Community-Led Climate Action: Climate-Friendly Glasgow

Community Transport is empowering people and communities all over the UK to take climate action every single day – I know because I see it in my own neighbourhood and I’m one of them!

The Southside of Glasgow is a veritable hotbed of climate-friendly community solutions.

A brief cycle from my front door takes me to Women on Wheels in Govanhill, who deliver a cycling classes, training and rides to support women to cycle independently whenever and wherever they want.

A walk to Battlefield brings me to Glasgow's Golden Generation, who offer ‘care in the autumn years’, bringing older people to their day care centres and social clubs in their accessible minibuses, cutting down on unnecessary car trips, mileage and fuel.

And with a short bus ride I visit South West Community Transport in Pollok, who help hundreds of people to access the health & social care they need, as well as provide group vehicle hire. Local charities and community groups can travel in their fantastic new electric minibuses, rather than a long convoy of polluting cars.

It’s inspiring to see all of this community-led climate action, which is taking cars off the road and emissions out of the air, on my own doorstep – and thrilling to spot from my desk one of our CTA members’ vehicles going past my window!

But it’s also a powerful illustration of the fact that Community Transport isn’t just about rural areas, because it’s thriving in our biggest cities too.

I joined a non-profit car club nearly two years ago and haven’t looked back. After selling my old car, I signed-up for CoWheels, a community interest company, which gives me access to a range of electric, hybrid and petrol cars of different shapes and sizes for short- and long-term rent. There are dozens across Glasgow, as well as many more in 60 other towns and cities across the UK.

It’s been great for my wallet, my health and my community. I have convenient access to a car when I need it, but without the hassle, stress or expense of owning one. I’ve saved a lot of money, I’m walking more and I don’t have a car outside my flat clogging up the street or blocking the pavement. (The average car spends 96% of its lifetime parked.)

No wonder it’s taking off as an idea. We now have 10% of our members in Scotland running a community-owned car club, like LEAP Car Club in Linwood, or facilitating car sharing, like Upper Tay Transport in Aberfeldy. Why not you and your neighbours next?

You can find out more and get inspired by checking out our Act Local report here.