The Climate Challenge Fund, which will support community-led action to reduce emissions, was officially launched by Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Richard Lochhead and Patrick Harvie, Scottish Green MSP.
Speaking at the launch at Glasgow's Shawlands Academy, an eco-school, Mr Lochhead said: "Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing us today, both here in Scotland and across the world. We want Scotland to be part of the global solution.
"There are many things we can do as individuals to reduce our carbon emissions, but by acting and working together as communities we can do much more. That's why the Climate Challenge Fund is so important. It will empower communities to take action to reduce their carbon footprint and make a real difference to the local and national environment."
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The £18.8m scheme is open to a wide variety of organisations to deliver innovative solutions at a local level such as becoming more energy efficient, encouraging people to walk and cycle more, and using local, sustainable food.
Mr Harvie said: "Every day it becomes clearer that the world is waking up to climate change, and seeing how urgently we need to make the transition to a low carbon future. It requires nothing less than the transformation of our economy, our society, and our politics.
"But communities across Scotland are also coming to see how they can begin that transition in positive and creative ways, giving leadership to others as they go. I'm delighted to be able to say that the Climate Challenge Fund will help empower them to turn great ideas into a reality."
Professor Jan Bebbington, Vice Chair of the Sustainable Development Commission said: "People in communities across Scotland are beginning to understand that climate change is a serious problem and that tackling it is an economic necessity - the longer we leave things, the more it will cost us.
"The Scottish Government and the Scottish Greens must be commended for their intention to help communities reduce their own carbon emissions by taking action at a local level. There are a handful of communities already driving change. This fund will encourage and support more action in streets, estates, villages, towns and cities all over Scotland to help get us pointing in the right direction."
(GK/JM)
