Third round of Climate Emergency Fund launches

As part of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s commitment to supporting communities to tackle climate change, a third round of their dedicated Climate Emergency Fund has been launched this week.

The funding will provide a financial boost for local organisations and Council projects that can reduce carbon emissions, helping the borough to become carbon neutral by 2045.

Applicants are invited to submit bids by Friday 6 May 2022 deadline for a share of the £50,000 available in the third funding round (this relates to the financial year 2022-23). Further rounds of Climate Emergency funding will be available from 2023 to 2024.

The fund has been set up as part of the Council’s work to tackle the Climate Emergency, with local organisations that meet the funding criteria able to bid for a share.

Successful applicants will need to provide evidence that their projects can be implemented swiftly and will make a positive contribution to the borough’s ambition of becoming carbon neutral by 2045.

Eligible organisations include town and parish councils, voluntary organisations, community groups, small charities and other not-for-profit-organisations.

Examples of projects eligible for funding include (but are not limited to) the following.

• Renewable energy projects
• Energy efficiency projects
• Heat pump projects
• Zero or low carbon transport
• Waste reduction
• Natural capital/natural environment projects

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy and Regeneration, said: “We are pleased to be continuing our support for community organisations looking to tackle the climate emergency in their area, and this funding will help build on the enthusiasm, knowledge and determination of local people in communities across our borough. This Fund is a way to support these groups to deliver on a vision for improving their area by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making west Cheshire an even better place to live.”

Rhian Edwards, Chief Executive of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, who received funding last year, said: “We were thrilled when we got the email from the Council to tell us they had approved our application to the Climate Emergency Fund.   The grant contributed towards us putting LED lighting in our In Patient Unit and the installation of a voltage optimisation unit which has benefited the whole of the site. 

“Both initiatives have helped us reduce our carbon footprint, a key aim of ours, plus, and as importantly, reduce our costs.  Every penny counts, and the more efficient we can be, the more money we can spend on supporting patients and their loved ones”.

Blacon Adventure Playground has also benefitted from receiving funding during the second round of the Climate Emergency Fund. Paul Knight, Head of Avenue Services, who manage the playground, said: “The funding we received from the Climate Emergency Fund has enabled us to continue our journey in making Blacon Adventure Playground carbon neutral.

“The funding is being put to good use and we have also been working with local children to educate them about the benefits of protecting the environment, including releasing a YouTube video and a game. The funding is helping to create a bike project as well as expanding our allotment space, creating a wildflower meadow, increasing our green roof coverage, purchasing a new water dispenser and battery powered leaf/litter collector, plus a number of other small projects.

“None of this would be possible without the Climate Emergency Fund. A huge thank you from our staff who work at the playground and all of the families and children who use the site which is open 365 days a year.”

To find out more and view the Climate Emergency Fund guidance, visit: 

cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/climateemergencyfund

The Council's Climate Emergency Response Plan is available to view online: 

http://www.westcheshireclimateplan.co.uk

Pictured - Children learning about sustainability at Blacon Adventure Playground.