15 January 2010

Winners of a green competition had to create projects that considered carbon footprint management and sustainable procurement.

The Isle of Eigg was awarded a share of £1 million to create its renewable energy system.

Organised by the National Endowment for Science and Technology and the Arts, the Big Green Challenge competition wanted to see how communities could tackle climate change.

Eigg managed to prove that it could reduce emissions of C02 by 32 per cent with its plans to become a self-sufficient island.

Wind turbines and solar panels were installed alongside hydro-electric plans.

Residents, who bought the island in 1997, constructed the scheme in 2008.

"The outward purpose of this project is tackling climate change, but it’s also ensuring we continue to be a strong, vibrant healthy community to live in," said project manager Tasha Lancaster.