The CLIMATE Emergency

The Climate Emergency is the single biggest challenge facing our generation, it is one of the reasons I came into politics, I am committed to tackling climate change, improving our planet, and making the people living on it better off. I have been working hard in our local communities and in Parliament to make sure that we are doing everything we can to invest in renewable energy, take care of our wildlife and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Our planet is beautiful and must be protected at all costs. We all have work to do to ensure that the planet continues to serve future generations. I have stood up against Rosebank and Jackdaw. It is clear that the only way to ensure energy security is to invest in renewable energy. Scotland has so much renewable energy potential, I am proud to back a UK government that is investing in renewable energy. You can read more about what I have been doing here:

Beach Cleans

Our beaches must be free from sewage and litter. Residents and wildlife alike deserve to enjoy clean, safe bathing water without concern about pollution or poor water quality.

I have serious concerns about the lack of monitoring of sewage overflows in Scotland, which are regularly impacting water quality along beaches in Edinburgh East and Musselburgh. The Scottish Government must commit to expanding water monitoring and taking decisive action to improve water quality.

I have been working hard to ensure that the Scottish Government, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), and Scottish Water are fully aware of my constituents’ concerns regarding Fisherrow and Portobello beaches.

‍ ‍Fly tipping

Fly tipping is a blight on our communities. Residents deserve to live in neighbourhoods that are clean and that they can take pride in. I raised the issue of fly tipping in Parliament after many constituents contacted me about the site next to Craigmillar Library. Thanks to everyone that came together to sign my petition, we were able to have the site cleared and properly secured to stop this happening again. If you have any concerns about fly tipping near you, please contact me at chris.murray.mp@parliament.uk.

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Rosebank

To be clear, I am against both Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields. The UK needs energy security, the best and most secure way to provide this is investing in renewable energy alternatives. Scotland has so much renewable energy potential and drilling new oil fields does not align with Scotland’s future.

Scotland has extraordinary natural resources and world-class talent. The future lies not in doubling down on the industries of the past, but in leading the clean energy revolution, creating tens of thousands of new, secure, unionised jobs in the process. I think we do energy workers a disservice if we continue to extract fossil fuels, indicating to them that their careers lie in the fossil fuel sector. The world will turn away from fossil fuels, and those workers would be marooned if Scotland’s energy sector does not transition to clean energy.

I believe in a just transition for workers and communities who have powered our country for generations. The skills of offshore workers, engineers, and fabricators are absolutely essential to building the renewable energy future we need. The transition must therefore be planned, fair, and well-funded, ensuring that no community is left behind as we move from fossil fuels to renewables.

Climate Conference

Tackling the climate emergency requires collaboration between community groups, experts, academics, governments, and international organisations to create a better future for our planet.

In 2025, I hosted my first Climate Conference, bringing together local community groups working tirelessly to address the climate crisis. The event was attended by Sarah Boyack MSP, whose insights into how the Scottish Parliament is working towards a just transition and net zero were invaluable. We also heard from Dr Matthew Brander, a Senior Researcher in Carbon Accounting at the University of Edinburgh. Alongside the panel, community organisations including Greenpeace Edinburgh, Portobello Community Energy, and Mothers CAN contributed to the discussion.

It was inspiring to hear from community groups, expert speakers, and local residents, all united in the shared goal of creating a greener future. I am proud to live in and represent communities that are taking meaningful action on the climate crisis, and I will continue to champion collaborative efforts to tackle it.

millerhill Energy Centre (MEL)

It was an absolute pleasure to visit MEL Energy Centre. As part of the visit, we received a tour of the facility, which captures excess energy from the neighbouring incinerator and uses it to power local heat networks.

The visit provided an excellent opportunity to discuss plans for expanding these networks into Edinburgh East and Musselburgh. Heat networks offer a more sustainable way to heat homes and are far better for the environment than traditional gas boilers.

I will do all I can to support the transition to cleaner heating solutions. I recognise that many areas of Edinburgh East and Musselburgh face particular challenges when it comes to retrofitting homes, and it is vital that these challenges are addressed as part of the transition.

New Brunstane Development

A number of residents contacted me with concerns about Dandara’s treatment of the New Brunstane site. Skylarks and other rare bird species have been spotted in the area, and residents were worried that the use of herbicides could harm local wildlife.

I contacted the developer, Dandara, to raise these concerns and was able to ensure that up-to-date ecological surveys were carried out. I also sought assurances that ongoing monitoring would take place before any decisions on site maintenance, to minimise negative impacts on wildlife.

As a keen ornithologist and animal lover, protecting our natural environment is incredibly important to me. I will continue to do all I can as your MP to act on the issues you care about and to stand up for the protection of our wildlife.

Bonfire Blitz

It was fantastic to attend the Bonfire Clean Up in Niddrie ahead of Bonfire Night. I have been working closely with local communities, organisations, the police, and retailers to help ensure Bonfire Night is celebrated safely—so it can be an occasion for families and communities to come together and enjoy without fear of antisocial behaviour.

The Hay Community Hub organised a clean-up event in partnership with the police, bringing residents together to help protect and take pride in their community. The event was a huge success.