Glasgow kids who walk or cycle to school could get financial incentives

Financial incentives for families who walk and cycle to school in Glasgow are among a set of climate proposals going before council this week.
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The rent and reuse of uniforms in the city as well as the recycling of pens and other ideas are proposed by Glasgow teachers’ union EIS branch.

School plans

Councillor Jon Molyneux wants the council’s education director to come up with a plan on how the measures could be rolled out in schools.

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The Scottish Green politician is set to present a motion to Glasgow City Council on Thursday highlighting the EIS union’s proposals.

Councillor Molyneux said: “Children and young people are so engaged with these issues and we need to respond to this in our schools.

“I am pleased the EIS have brought these proposals. They are very timely coming after COP26.

“I hope there will be agreement across the council that these are good ideas.”

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The Pollokshields councillor pointed out barriers to cycling and walking to lessons must be removed – with the idea of a bicycle library being developed and possible grants for parent groups to pay for helmets and other gear.

The EIS also calls for a ban on the sale of plastic water bottles and single use plastics, the replacement of school heating systems with low carbon options and electric charge points in school car parks.

Councillor Molyneux’s motion asks the council to take note of the EIS proposals and consider other actions as well.

Motion details

The motion said: “Council recognises the centrality of young voices to the global climate movement and welcomes the engagement Glasgow’s schoolchildren have had in the run up to COP26. Council believes it is important to have an educational legacy from the city’s hosting of COP26, and that this should be a high priority.

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It added: “Council also believes action should be taken to reduce the environmental footprint of school meals, including supporting local food and reducing food waste, to improve school recycling capacity, and to consider investment requirements for low carbon retrofitting of the education estate.

“Council resolves to ask the executive director to bring an update on how such proposals can be implemented to a meeting of the education, skills and early years city policy committee in its next meeting cycle.”

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