A Greener Edinburgh

These are examples of the work I have done to make Edinburgh as a whole greener

Firework Control

When all other parties wanted to do nothing, I successfully campaigned to introduce Scotland's first Firework Control Zones. There are now 14 Zones in the city, protecting air quality, water quality and the welfare of animals and vulnerable people.

9 tennis balls. All but the one in the centre are dirty and faded.

Tennis ball recycling

Early on the Council term, I used the opportunity of the refurbishment of tennis courts to ensure that tennis ball recycling facilities were installed. Tennis balls fuse plastic fibre to rubber and cannot be recycled easily, and balls around outdoor courts leach microplastics into the soil. When these bins were used as general waste bins, I got the Council to install more waste bins.

Climate-friendly school uniforms

This year, the Council changed policy to allow branded school uniforms to be required by school uniform policies, but with the condition families don't need to pay for them.

Greens supported this, but I tabled a successful amendment to ensure all school uniform items issued by schools meet recognised standards of Fair Trade and environmentally-friendly production.

Clear air protestors stand with signs saying 'Toxic Air Zone'. They are wearing masks and respirators. There is a long queue of traffic behind the protestors.

Greener festivals

I have repeatedly called the Council out for doing little meaningful monitoring of the festivals, which have a major climate impact through travel, more waste and other means. Whilst not perfect, this has since improved, as a result of my interventions.

A wind turbine with blue skies in the background

Climate-responsible investment

I have pressed the Council on why environmental monitoring of the investments made by its Treasury department is not better developed given the Climate Crisis and the Council's 2030 Net Zero target. My questioning of Council officers also revealed hitherto underacknowledged investments in fossil fuels.

As sign on a locked gate to a park.

It says "Enquiries regarding key rental for the use of these Gardens should be made to the Clerk, Lindsays Solicitors, Caledonian Exchange, 19A Canning Street, Edinburgh EH3 8HE, 0131 229 1212."

Greenspace access

This year, I took a motion to the Council to begin work on a scheme for private shared gardens to be opened up a. voluntary basis to the public. These gardens, such as at Queen Street, are the size of small parks in some cases, and it is wrong they are closed off when access to greenspace is so limited for some people.

There is also huge potential for climate adaptation and nature restoration work that is not taking place. Whilst defeated, I hope to bring this idea back if I am selected and elected

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Dan speaking on BBC Radio Scotland about the gardens plan

Supporting community growing

As a member of the Communities Committee, I have supported Community Growing in the city. Though other parties didn't support it, I proposed a grant scheme for Friends of Parks and Cemeteries and in October 2026, the Council agreed to plans I tabled to investigate supporting temporary growing projects on empty land.