The first run of the investment opportunity will begin in September 2025 and is expected to generate £1 million in funding in support of the installation of solar panels on council buildings across the city. A second phase, due to begin early next year, aims to raise £1m for environmental improvements to the streetscape around schools and care facilities.

Investors can pledge as little as £5 to the scheme that will provide 4% interest a year for a five-year period. There is no upper limit on the size of investment anyone can make.

Known as a ‘community municipal investment’ (CMI), the scheme is managed on behalf of the council by ethical investment platform, Abundance Investment. This approach to raising funding for green initiatives has proven successful in other parts of the UK with 15 local authorities raising over £18m for a range of projects that help to reduce carbon emissions.

Councillor Angus Millar, city convener for climate, believes crowdfunding projects that move the city closure to net zero carbon emissions can help build pride in Glasgow’s effort to tackle the climate emergency.

Councillor Millar said: “Community Municipal Investment projects are a great way to build a direct link between investment and community benefit, with successful projects using this platform elsewhere in the UK. Glasgow’s scheme will offer a low-risk, fixed return investment opportunity for people, organisations and businesses in the city that will help take us closer to achieving our net zero target.

“Using the finance from the investment scheme to support our solar panel programme underlines the potential of this approach to funding the city’s project.

“We’ve installed over 1700 solar panels on council buildings in the past year, which dramatically reduces the cost of running community facilities across the city.  Plans are in place to add solar to a further 36 council buildings that will eventually provide the city with years and years of cost-free electricity.

“Supporting Glasgow’s CMI will contribute to our effort to cut carbon emissions, help save the city hundreds of thousands of pounds and provide a return for investors. It’s a very effective way for people to be engaged and invested in Glasgow’s plans to become a net zero city.”

The first phase will be open until 1 December. The second offer for the scheme is due to open in March 2026 and is expected to provide financial backing for active travel projects and work to develop the council’s Liveable Neighbourhoods programme.

Information on how to invest in Glasgow’s Community Municipal Investment programme is available here.