Dear <<First Name>>,

Thanks for reading the Island Innovation newsletter! If you were forwarded this email or accessed it through a link, don't forget to subscribe here and stay up to date on the latest sustainability news from islands and remote regions around the world.

Last month, I was lucky enough to attend the AGM of the Scottish Islands Federation on the Isle of Tiree, an island of 500 people lying four hours sailing from Oban. The Federation represents communities from the small islands across the nation and discusses the challenges faced by remote island communities... including Brexit. This was only my second time in Scotland, and the issues raised had striking similarities to those more familiar through my work in the Caribbean and Pacific islands.

The similarities demonstrate the vital nature of sharing solutions between disparate islands - Scottish islands can learn from the Caribbean and vice versa. One exciting trend observed came during a presentation from the isles of North Uist and South Uist in the Outer Hebrides - young families are returning, starting businesses and helping breathe new life into a place that has long suffered from outward migration (read the full report here).

Next was a visit to Orkney, a group of islands home to a more Nordic culture and proud of their Viking heritage. The islands are also proud of their pioneering renewable energy efforts and home to the European Marine Energy Centre, with cutting-edge research into hydrogen technology. The islands are also home to three university campuses and are building a reputation for being a world leader in ocean energy.



Flying to North Ronaldsay, the remotest island in the Orkney archipelago with a population of 72 people, gave a perspective of the joys and challenges of living on these windswept islands. The journey in an 8-seater plane involved hopping over two other island airstrips and gave a spectacular view of the smaller islands below. On the next trip, it might even be possible to travel on an electric plane!

With its own parliament, Scotland is strikingly more progressive on energy and climate change than the rest of the UK, and the Orkney Isles are leading them there. However, the islands are still home to the highest levels of fuel poverty in the UK with 63% of households in spending over 10% of their income on heating energy costs. For equitable growth, greener electricity must play a role in improving the quality of life for all residents and reduce basic living costs (see Orkney Islands Council fuel poverty strategy here).

Thanks so much to my new headline Patreon sponsors: James Stockan of the Orkney Islands Council and Nathalie Mezza-Garcia of Blue Frontiers. All of you that have supported this newsletter on Patreon have been vital moral support and helped cover the costs of hosting the newsletter!

Take advantage of discussing today's topics further in the members-only Island Innovation Facebook Group. The next newsletter will come to you from the COP24 UNFCCC negotiations in Poland, with the latest on global climate change politics.

Thank you for reading,
James Ellsmoor

P.S. Did you enjoy the content so far and want to hear more? Then please pledge a few dollars each month to help cover the hosting expenses to continue sending you the latest information and resources. See the Patreon page for more details.

Energy Stories

Interesting stories about energy from around the world: 

• The monopoly utility on Sark has threatened to stop supplying power and force an evacuation of the island if the government goes ahead with forced price reductions
• Ocean energy could become a major part of Ireland's energy matrix
• Solar-powered boats could provide affordable transport for small islands
• A major gas discovery off the west coast of Shetland contains an estimated one trillion cubic feet of gas
• A new paper argues that electric vehicles (EVs) offer islands solutions for electricity storage, grid services, reduced fuel imports, and reduced pollution
• An entrepreneur in Papua New Guinea is improving access to electricity with the Easipay system - in a country where less than 15% of people have access to the electricity grid
• The EU Islands Secretariat launched on November 5 a call for expression of interest to EU’s islands wishing to receive support to plan, prepare or advance their clean energy transition
• A school in Eleuthera, Bahamas, is leading a first-of-its-kind solar installation certification program

24-hour electricity comes to Fair Isle

Other stories worth sharing

A selection of stories relevant to innovation and sustainable development from around the world:

• ‘Postman Padraig’ makes historic drone mail delivery to Clare Island
• The successes of cultural tourism in Canada’s southern Aboriginal communities are providing an important roadmap for development of Indigenous cultural tourism in the North
• The IMF has warned the Republic of the Marshall Islands against adopting a digital currency as a second form of legal tender
• Controversy over Greenland airports shows China still unwelcome in the Arctic
• A growing community of East Timorese has proved an entrepreneurial addition to Northern Ireland
• A new academic research paper argues that Brexit, Hurricane Irma and financial regulations are driving a wedge between the United Kingdom and its overseas territories (read the paper here)

Thank you to everyone who has read, shared, supported and donated to help make this newsletter happen. I cannot thank you enough for your help and encouragement and look forward to seeing where this project will go!

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Feedback is always welcome!