West Cheshire set to benefit from Climate Emergency Fund

A dedicated Climate Emergency Fund, launched by Cheshire West and Chester Council, will provide a financial boost for local organisations and Council projects that are dedicated to reducing carbon emissions.

From now until 30 September 2020, applicants can submit bids for a share of £300,000 available in funding round one, which relates to this financial year (2020-21). A further £7 million of Climate Emergency funding will be available from 2021 to 2024.

The new fund, which will support low carbon projects and programmes, has been set up as part of the Council’s work on tackling the Climate Emergency.  Both local organisations and Council teams delivering projects that meet the criteria will be able to bid for funding. 

Successful applicants will need to provide evidence that their projects can be implemented swiftly and will make a strongly 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, alongside Council-run services and Council Companies (Council Companies is a term for organisations that deliver key services in partnership with the Council).

Examples of projects eligible for funding include (but are not limited to) 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 Matt Bryan, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, said: “Our Council recognises the scale and urgency of our ambition to make west Cheshire a carbon neutral borough by 2045. The evidence is clear that climate change poses a massive threat to our way of life and the longer we wait, the more challenging this issue becomes.

“I believe that working together to deliver carbon benefits as quickly as possible with Council and community-led projects will aid our borough in pursuit of the challenge we face. The Climate Emergency Fund is a significant investment to help us support a range of local organisations deliver their priorities and projects linked to reducing carbon emissions.”

To find out more and view the Climate Emergency Fund guidance, visit: cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/climateemergencyfund