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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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Our net zero pledge
We have agreed to an ambitious proposal to reduce the county’s greenhouse gases, as close to zero as possible, by 2040 and make the Council a carbon neutral organisation by 2030. The decision comes after all greenhouse gas emissions, not just carbon dioxide, have been included in the national data sets for local authorities. We are well underway producing our next Climate Change Action Plan for 2024-26 which will focus on projects to reduce Northumberland-produced emissions.
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Our new policy to protect the environment
Our Environmental Policy Statement has been agreed which highlights our diverse range of activities to maintain, protect and enhance the environment and the key role that nature recovery can play in helping to tackle climate change. It highlights our responsibility in preserving the natural land to benefit our communities and our strong commitment to front line services, whether it’s dealing with littering and fly tipping or extra roadside litter clearing, creating more green spaces, woodlands and new nature trails, improving water quality, encouraging more active and sustainable transport, to tackling major societal issues such as climate change and the loss of biodiversity.
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We’re boosting biodiversity in Northumberland
As part of our Environmental Policy Statement, we have also agreed to develop a Council-wide biodiversity plan which will include innovative strategies and projects to enrich the diverse range of species, habitats, and ecosystems in the county, contribute to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and explore sustainable land management as well as conservation and adaptation.
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Final phase of new cycling and walking route getting underway
We have accepted a further £500,000 of Transport North East funding to complete a new cycling and walking route connecting Ponteland with Callerton, which will connect the town centre to the Newcastle city boundary line - giving access to Callerton Metro Station for onward journeys. The £1.37m scheme is being delivered through the Transforming Cities Fund, with investment provided by the Department for Transport (DfT).
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Winner announced in sustainable logo competition
Year 7 pupil Anna Pocock, from Corbridge Middle School has been named the winner of the Northumberland School’s Sustainability Network (NSSN) school logo competition which launched as part of Great Big Green Week in June 2023. Her iconic design will be the official branding of the NSSN giving it a unique identity. In winning the competition, not only will her design be seen throughout schools in Northumberland but £250 will be awarded to Corbridge Middle for them to spend on an environmental or sustainability project.
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Climate Change and Sustainability in Northumberland: Schools resource pack event
A launch event took place on Monday 9 October at 4:15pm, via Zoom, where school staff around the county came together to find out more about what is included in the ‘Climate Change and Sustainability in Northumberland: Schools resource pack’ and how they can make the most of it within their schools. The resource explores issues and solutions at a local level, investigating topics such as energy, nature, water, society and policy, transport, food and waste in Northumberland. Within the resource, staff can expect to find Northumberland-based information, ideas for local school trips and days out, tips on how to become a carbon neutral school and discussions around some of the big questions about renewables, recycling and nature. The resource is available here.
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Northumberland Environment and Climate Fund
We are offering £55,000 from our Environment & Climate Fund and community and voluntary groups in the county with environmental projects. Groups can apply for up to £5,000 to help fund projects which enhance nature and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Please note: If your project meets all the criteria but is significantly bigger than the £5,000 upper limit, please get in touch with the Climate Change Team via climate@northumberland.gov.uk
Projects must align with one or more of the Council’s environment and climate change initiatives. Please see grant guidance for further information.
Deadline: 14 November 2023.
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| Calls for rural projects in Northumberland Northumberland County Council intends to fund pilot projects in local rural areas through the Rural Asset Multiplier Pilot (RAMP). The aim is to develop and test new, innovative, locally based approaches to tackling economic, environmental, and community challenges and opportunities in rural Northumberland. Activities will be concentrated in two defined pilot geographic areas of rural Northumberland, which are: - Northumberland Coastal Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB)
- Part of the Northumberland National Park
A small number of suitable projects will also be considered in other similarly rural parts of the county. The successful activity will be driven by local need, demonstrating a bottom-up approach targeted directly at tackling local, rural issues.
Who can apply?
The RAMP programme will support community-led projects that bring forward new, innovative, locally-based approaches to addressing economic, environmental, or community challenges and opportunities in rural Northumberland. Projects must demonstrate that they will make a clear and positive impact in their local area.
Deadline: 04 December 2023.
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Funding to support community tree planting projects
The Tree Council is providing grants of between £250 and £2,500 through the Branching Out Fund. The fund is open to applications from a range of applicants, including: schools, community groups, parish & town councils and small registered charities. Funding will cover the cost of UK sourced and grown trees, hedges and orchards.
Deadline: 03 December 2023. |
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Funding for sports projects which deliver both environmental and physical benefits
Sport England are providing grants of up to £15,000 to support environmental sustainability projects. The funding will go towards projects which support inactive and less active people to get more active, whilst also reducing environmental impacts. The key goals of the funding have been split into 3 priority sections: reducing energy use, encouraging responsible travel and reducing waste/improving resource efficiency. Funding is available to a range of voluntary community groups, charities and local authorities.
Deadline: 31 March 2024.
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This email has been produced by the Northumberland County Council Communications team. |
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