Environment-enhancing projects across Glasgow are set to benefit from £732,000, thanks to penalties collected through the city's Low Emission Zone (LEZ).

Eighteen organisations have been awarded grants ranging between £20,000 and £50,000 from the council's LEZ Community Support Fund. These funds will enable the delivery of a diverse array of schemes, including improvements to children's play areas, the provision of free bikes, the establishment of food growing spaces, and enhancements to local greenspaces.

Other funded initiatives include peatland restoration, the installation of solar panels, air quality education projects, urban rewilding, and the planting of wildflower meadows.

Councillor Angus Millar, Convener for Transport and Climate, expressed his satisfaction that the funding would allow these groups to implement local initiatives focused on improving Glasgow's environment. He stated: "With £732,000 available to support a broad range of local environmental projects this year, the LEZ Community Support Fund will make a real difference. Organisations such as volunteer groups, community councils, housing associations, and those advocating for a cleaner, greener and healthier environment have all secured vital funding."

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He further noted that this funding, combined with £250,000 already allocated to tree planting and greening activities, brings the total investment of LEZ income into Glasgow to almost £1 million. This will support the delivery of both cleaner air and greener streets in the city centre and surrounding areas.

The LEZ Community Support Fund attracted over 60 applications, requesting a total of £2.3 million. Following a thorough assessment process, 18 projects, totalling £620,409, were recommended for funding and received final approval from the City Administration Committee on 27 March 2025.

With the current allocation of £732,000 from residual LEZ penalty revenue, the remaining balance of £111,591 will be made available for a new round of funding applications later this year.

Glasgow's Low Emission Zone has been in operation since 1 June 2023. Unless exempt, all vehicles entering the city centre zone must meet specified emission standards or face a penalty charge. Revenue from these penalties is primarily used to cover the scheme's operating costs, with any surplus allocated to projects that align with the LEZ's environmental objectives.