The Council has launched a new investment programme enabling residents and businesses to invest in projects that contribute to a healthier, inclusive and thriving city.
The new investment initiative will give residents and local businesses the opportunity to support projects that reduce climate damaging emissions, prepare for the impacts of climate change and help to protect nature.
The Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and a nature emergency in 2023 reflecting the need for urgent and sustained action to reduce emissions and become a climate resilient and nature positive city. Progress has already been made to make sure that Edinburgh is ready to cope with the challenges that a changing climate brings - the Climate Ready Edinburgh Plan and its associated Implementation Plan include the approach the Council is taking to adapt and respond at a local and regional level.
While open to anyone, the new investment programme will enable Edinburgh residents and businesses to be actively involved by investing in projects that contribute to a healthier, inclusive and thriving city to live, work and do business in.
Funds will be used to deliver nature-based projects across the capital to reduce emissions, improve access to nature, offer cooler spaces during heatwaves, reduce flood risk during heavy rainstorms, and boost biodiversity.
This investment phase will include tree planting and delivery of sustainable drainage systems such as rain gardens and rainwater planters in key parts of the city to prevent flooding.
The new investment programme, Edinburgh Green Investment, in partnership with Abundance Investment Ltd, encourages investment from a minimum of £5, with interest at a rate of 4.84%, paid every six months over the course of five years. The funding window will remain open until November 30 2026 or until the target of £1 million is reached.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said:
We’re already seeing the effects of a changing climate in Edinburgh with warmer and wetter weather causing damage to property, travel disruption, flooding and wildfires. When we declared a climate and nature emergency and set out our commitment to tackle the causes and consequences of a changing climate, we knew we couldn’t do it alone and would need the support of partner organisations, residents and businesses. It is encouraging that we are already making positive progress to make sure we’re prepared for the inevitable changes we face, but there’s more to do.
I’m pleased that, alongside the projects and plans already in progress, our new investment initiative will enable our residents and businesses to play their part - helping to support the delivery of projects that will benefit the places where they live, work and visit. By working together, we can make a meaningful difference to ensure we’re ready to cope with a changing climate.
Notes to editors:
- The Edinburgh Green Investment is being delivered in partnership with Abundance Investments. Abundance Investments have delivered similar investment initiatives with councils across the UK including Glasgow City Council, Westminster Council and Bristol City Council.
- Abundance Investment advises that: Investments are long term and may be hard to sell. Council investments are not a savings account and you are lending money to a council. Changes in market interest rates may affect the value of your investment if you sell before maturity. Approver: Abundance investment (FRN 525432). Approval date: [02/09/2026]
- Abundance’s service in relation to council investments (P2P loans) is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
- Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future. Holding investments in an IFISA does not reduce the risk of the investment or protect you from losses. You can still lose all your money. It only means that any potential gains from your investment will be tax free. The tax treatment of your investment will depend on your individual circumstances and may change in the future.
- Edinburgh Green Investment, which is a loan, is Green Loan Principles compliant and is being issued under a Green Finance Framework. This is a voluntary standard which sets out how the council will meet the Green Loan Principles. This assures investors that funds raised can only be used to help them deliver on eligible green projects from within this framework, and Abundance will monitor the use of funds across the investment term to ensure the principles are being adhered to.