PEOPLE in some of the world's poorest countries will have better access to clean energy, thanks to a partnership between the Scottish Government and the United Nations.

Malawi and others are to benefit from the Sustainable Energy for All partnership with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), which will provide sustainable energy for cooking and lighting as well as small-scale manufacturing to some of the world's poorest communities.

In March, then UN secretary-general Ban Ki Moon invited Scotland to work with UNDP, praising the country's "deep commitment" to renewables. Dr Veerle Vandeweerd of the UNDP, said: "UNDP welcomes the generous commitment of the Scottish Government."