Glasgow LEZ fines to be used to plant trees in city as part of £500,000 fund

Low Emission Zone (LEZ) penalty charges are to be invested back into Glasgow’s environment-enhancing projects as part of a new fund.

The LEZ Community Climate Project Support Fund has been allocated £250,000 to support organisations to improve air quality, reduce climate change emissions, or improve Glasgow’s amenity.

The ‘Greening the City’ programme will also benefit from an equal share of the half a million pot as directed by Glasgow City Council’s budget.

Tree planting and greening projects will see a quarter of a million invested in tree planters as well as a tree sponsorship scheme across the city.

The council hopes this will help contribute towards Glasgow’s aspiration to achieve Tree City of the World status.

Revenue from LEZ penalty charges must first support the operating costs of the scheme but any remaining income can go towards benefitting projects that “tie in with LEZ objectives.”

In a report to the Net Zero Committee in August, £747,511 of residual income for the financial year was found, of which £500,000 will be used to fund community the projects.

Over 38,000 fines were handed out in Glasgow in its first year after coming into force on June 1, 2023 with more than 25,000 being paid.

Cllr Angus Millar convener for Transport and Climate said: “Our plans for tree planting and greening as well as the imminent launch of the Community Climate Project Support Fund extends the positive reach of Glasgow’s LEZ.

“When the fund is launched in November, I’ll be encouraging groups and organisations keen to deliver their own environmental projects to apply for funding – with information packs and assistance to be made available to all applicants.

“With £250,000 available to support a broad range of local projects, the new fund will make a real difference to those looking to get an initiative up and running.

“And, with the LEZ also resulting in an identical investment in tree planting and greening activities, we can deliver both cleaner air and greener streets in the city centre and beyond.”