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Welcome to your monthly Climate Change update.
Northumberland County Council is committed to making our county carbon neutral by 2030 and we need everyone to do their bit to help reduce carbon emissions.
How can you help make a difference? 👇
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Spotlight on the community |
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Go Local Food
GO Local Food is a community-run co-operative, based in Northumberland’s Tyne Valley, growing a wide range of vegetables all year round. It is entirely volunteer-run and produces and distributes quality local, seasonal produce, while looking after the environment.
Watch the video here.
If you have a cllimate-relatd project that's happening in your community, tell us about it. Email climate@northumberland.gov.uk with the subject: Newsletter spotlight project. |
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Sustainable energy for Council headquarters
Permission has been granted for the development of a £3 million integrated system to provide clean energy at our council headquarters at Morpeth’s County Hall. In total, it could save around 250 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
This includes:
- 800kW solar photovoltaic (PV) carport array - a combination of solar panels wired together to form a large installation which provides weather protection for electric vehicles and generates power
- 400kW battery storage system with smart controls to make energy use more efficient.
- Additional 120 EV (Electric Vehicle) charge points in our staff car park
Energy from the solar panels will be used to power the main building, provide electricity to EV charge points for fleet and staff vehicles or stored for later to improve cost and carbon efficiency. |
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Keep Britain Tidy's big clean up
During the Great British Spring Clean 2023, which took place from 17 March to 2 April, our Neighbourhood Services team took advantage of an overnight road closure and spent six hours collecting litter at Moor Farm roundabout. The team bagged just under one tonne of litter, from fast food cartons, drink cans, crisp packets to bits of car and chunks of block paving.
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Plea over harmful balloon releases
We are appealing to the public to use alternatives to balloon and lantern releases for events and memorials and consider less damaging ways to pay tribute to a loved one such as:
- Planting a tree or flower bed
- Using jam jar lights
- Organising a memorial walk for a chosen charity.
While carried out with good intent, balloon releases have a long and devastating impact on the environment. Although biodegradable options are available, these still take months or even years to break down.
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Hexham Net Zero Fair
Our climate change team took part in the third Hexham Net Zero Fair which saw over 20 information stands and activities on environmental actions and energy and money saving ideas.
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Support for non-domestic alternative fuel users
Are you a non-domestic consumer, off the gas grid using alternative fuels? The Non-Domestic Alternative Fuels Payments Scheme may be for you. It provides a fixed payment of £150 to UK non-domestic consumers. Most consumers that are eligible for this payment will have already received it automatically as a credit on electricity bills. Properties not connected to the electricity grid will not have received £150 automatically and will need to apply through the online portal. Applications to the scheme will close on 28 April 2023.
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Domestic carbon reduction: Advice available from CAN
Advice on the best renewable energy options and efficiency measures is available to households across rural Northumberland in our off-gas communities. Trusted, independent advice and support can help households understand the best options for their properties to make the move to low or zero carbon installations.
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Woodland Trust offering free trees to schools and community groups
Schools and community groups in Northumberland can apply for free trees to plant in their area. The Woodland Trust is running the annual scheme as part of efforts to plant 50 million trees in the UK by 2030. The last round of free trees saw 6,000 trees distributed to 33 Northumberland organisations.
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Workshop: Can e-bikes help tackle rural transport poverty?
The workshop is aimed at employers (large and small), training providers, public authorities and e-bike experts and looks at tackling the barriers for younger people who may not be able to drive or to afford a private car. The Rural Design Centre Innovation Project wants to look at whether e-bikes might be able to provide part of the solution.
Date: Wednesday 19 April 2023
Time: 9:30am – 12:3pm
Location: The Rivergreen Centre, Morpeth NE61 6BL
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Climate Action Wansbeck's committee launch event
Climate Action Wansbeck would like to invite you to their drop in launch event where you can:
- Meet the committee
- Sign up as a volunteer
- Become a member
- Tell us which projects you would like to see happen
- Apply to be a committee member
- Meet other eco-conscious people from the local area
- Enjoy a chat and a drink
There will also be an informative talk from a local nature project at 3pm. Light refreshments will be available and you can also grab a free Climate Action Wansbeck biodegradable badge.
Date: Saturday 22 April 2023
Time: 1pm-5pm
Location: The Coach House, Black and Grey Pub, Morpeth NE61 1BU
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This email has been produced by the Northumberland County Council Communications team. |
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