Fourth round of Climate Emergency Fund launches

As part of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s commitment to supporting communities to tackle climate change, a fourth 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, 18 August 2023 for a share of the available funding in this fourth round.

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
• Adaptation projects.

Councillor Matt Bryan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and the Climate Emergency, said:

“We’ve been running the Climate Emergency Fund for a number of years and it’s fantastic to be able to fund a range of projects that are making a real difference in their communities. From energy saving measures installed on community buildings to the creation of new greenspaces. All these projects collectively are helping to reduce the amount of carbon in the borough, creating better places to live and helping us to become a carbon neutral borough by 2045. We can’t wait to see what innovative projects are submitted this year.”    

One project that benefited from funding during the first round of the Climate Emergency Fund was Guilden Sutton Greenspace who used the funding to purchase a field in the village to create a new woodland. With funding also secured from The Mersey Forest over 4,600 native trees have been planted by local volunteers, creating a further green space in the community that generations can enjoy for years to come.

Sarah Jessop, Project Leader, said:

“Guilden Sutton’s woodland project has been a huge success; a real community effort combining essential funding from the Climate Emergency Fund and the Mersey Forest project, with the amazing energy of local residents - they not only planted over 4,600 trees but then mulched every single one with a deep layer of wood chip to help them grow. The trees are thriving, and Hooks Wood is now a valuable local amenity. As well as the carbon reduction it provides it has become a well-used walking area, a place to volunteer, to enjoy and explore nature, and to hold occasional wider community events.”

Farndon Community Club also benefited from funding last year, helping them to install an air source heat pump system which has made the building more energy efficient.

Rob Caddy, Trustee of Farndon Community Trust who manage Farndon Community Club on behalf of Farndon Parish Council, said:

“We needed to replace our heating system and had a plan, but not the funding, to ‘future-proof’ the Community Club by becoming more energy efficient and reducing our carbon footprint. The CEF grant we received contributed hugely by funding the new heating system, and this has now been complemented by better insulation and renewable energy from solar panels. We are extremely grateful for the CEF funding we received.”

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

www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/climateemergencyfund

Pictured - The new woodland at Guilden Sutton Green Space just after planting.