Glasgow residents, communities and businesses are being invited to invest directly in the city's climate action initiatives through a new Community Municipal Investment (CMI) scheme.

The first phase, launching in September 2025, aims to raise £1 million to fund the installation of solar panels on council buildings across Glasgow. A second phase, set to begin in March 2026, will seek an additional £1 million to support environmental improvements around schools and care facilities, as well as projects linked to the city’s Liveable Neighbourhoods programme and active travel initiatives.

Investors can participate from as little as £5, earning a fixed 4% annual return over five years, with no upper limit on contributions. The scheme is being managed on behalf of the council by ethical investment platform Abundance Investment, which has helped 15 local authorities raise over £18 million for green projects across the UK.

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Councillor Angus Millar, City Convener for Climate, said: "Community Municipal Investment projects are a great way to build a direct link between investment and community benefit, with successful projects using this platform elsewhere in the UK. Glasgow's scheme will offer a low-risk, fixed return investment opportunity for people, organisations and businesses in the city that will help take us closer to achieving our net zero target.

"Using the finance from the investment scheme to support our solar panel programme underlines the potential of this approach to funding the city's project.

"We've installed over 1700 solar panels on council buildings in the past year, which dramatically reduces the cost of running community facilities across the city. Plans are in place to add solar to a further 36 council buildings that will eventually provide the city with years and years of cost-free electricity.

"Supporting Glasgow's CMI will contribute to our effort to cut carbon emissions, help save the city hundreds of thousands of pounds and provide a return for investors. It's a very effective way for people to be engaged and invested in Glasgow's plans to become a net zero city."

The first investment window will remain open until 1 December 2025. The city hopes the scheme will both accelerate Glasgow’s transition to net zero and encourage community engagement in its sustainability projects.