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 can reduce carbon emissions.

This is the second call for investment under this fund, following the first in Autumn 2020, in which 11 projects were awarded funding to deliver low-carbon outcomes.

Applicants have until the 25 April 2021 to submit bids for a share of £100,000 available in the second funding round, which relates to this financial year (2021-22). Further rounds of Climate Emergency funding will be available from 2022 to 2024.

The fund has been set up as part of the Council’s work on tackling the Climate Emergency. Local organisations 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.

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 Matt Bryan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and the Climate Emergency, said: “We were pleased with the quality and number of responses we received last year, and so have increased the available funding from £60,000 to £100,000 to support community-led bids. We believe that we can only tackle this challenge by harnessing the enthusiasm, skill and knowledge in our communities. The Climate Emergency Fund is a way to support and deliver the innovative ideas people have to enhance their local areas, reduce carbon emissions, and make Cheshire West and Chester an even better place to call home."

One project that secured funding during the first round of the Climate Emergency Fund was Guilden Sutton Green Space in Chester.  Project leader Sarah Jessop from Guilden Sutton Green Space, said “The Climate Emergency funding has been the making of our green space project here in Guilden Sutton. We had already acquired substantial funding through the Mersey Forest project, but we really needed this top-up from the Climate Emergency fund to be able to purchase a piece of land to plant the trees on.

“The response from the local community has been incredible. In just two weeks, around 70 volunteers have planted 4,600 trees. As well as capturing carbon as the trees grow, the new woodland will provide a place to exercise and enjoy nature in walking distance of people’s homes.”

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

Pictured - Volunteers at Guilden Sutton Green Space.