Just Transition Fund Supports North East Scotland’s Shift to Net Zero with £500 Million Investment

The Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund (JTF), a landmark £500 million initiative, is continuing its mission to transform the economies of the North East and Moray as the region moves away from carbon-intensive industries. Now in its third year, the fund backs projects that align with Scotland’s National Just Transition Outcomes and support the journey toward a net zero economy.

RipCell, an IBioIC member company that was awarded £626,734 through the fund. RipCell uses byproducts from Scotland’s whisky industry to process waste from the lithium-ion battery sector, turning two waste streams into a resource and advancing a truly circular economy. The project is expected to create new green jobs and support sustainable industrial innovation in the region.

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Launched in 2022, the Just Transition Fund was developed in response to the unique economic challenges facing areas historically reliant on fossil fuels. The fund is designed not only to support decarbonisation, but to unlock long-term economic opportunities in green industries—ensuring prosperity, job creation, and skills development are shared across businesses, workers, and communities.

Applications Now Closed for 2025 Funding Round

The most recent application window closed on 17 June 2025, with £8.5 million in new capital funding made available for the financial year running from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. This round focused specifically on competitive bids supporting jobs, skills and economic opportunities, in line with identified regional needs.

Applicants were invited to submit proposals ranging between £500,000 and £5 million. These projects are expected to demonstrate innovation and deliver measurable impact, helping to build resilient communities and a skilled workforce equipped for a sustainable future.

To date, £75 million has already been awarded to a diverse range of projects across sectors, helping to drive inclusive growth and reduce carbon emissions. Future funding will continue to prioritise cross-cutting and regionally responsive proposals that can inform broader just transition efforts across Scotland.

For more information and updates, visit the Scottish Government’s official Just Transition Fund page here.