News
Chesterfield to be Granted Plastic Free Community Status
Mon, 12 April 2021
Later in April, Chesterfield will be awarded with Plastic Free Community status by Surfers Against Sewage, recognising the huge effort that has been made to reduce the borough's plastic waste. The town will be the second community in Derbyshire to be awarded the status, with Wirksworth declared the first in January 2020.
Since the start of the group, 50 businesses have signed-up as Plastic Free Champions and each removed at least three pieces of single use plastic from their products or operations. Also, 40 community organisations and 10 schools have joined the campaign. In December the group got the support of Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield.
The group will continue to work to reduce single-use plastics and to build back greener.
HVCA Seeks Trustees
Mon, 12 April 2021HVCA Seeks Trustees
Hope Valley Climate Action (HVCA) was formally granted charity status at the end of last year and is now looking for two new Trustees to join the existing team. They are keen to diversify and would welcome interest from younger people and people from the farming community.
More information on the role here.
To express interest, please email jeremywight73@gmail.com
They are also seeking part-time project officers for Travelling Light, a project for the Hope Valley to become a national demonstration area for sustainable travel, and their Renewables Feasibility Study. You can find more information here.
UK Community Renewal Fund
Mon, 12 April 2021Organisations in Derbyshire are being invited to bid for funding from a new national Community Renewal Fund for projects that will get people back into work, boost the local economy, and tackle disadvantage.
Derbyshire Dales and High Peak have been identified by government as 2 of the 100 areas prioritised for access to the fund, although other places can apply.
Bids are welcomed from a range of organisations including local authorities, education institutions, private sector organisations, and registered charities. Acceptable projects include feasibility studies for delivering net-zero/local energy projects, improving green spaces, and preserving important local assets.
The closing date is midnight on 10 May 2021.
Amber Valley Borough Council Awarded £700,000 Towards Carbon Neutrality by 2030
Mon, 12 April 2021
Congratulations to Amber Valley Borough Council (AVBC) who were successful in their bid for the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme - a government grant scheme that helps local authorities reduce carbon emissions from their buildings.
The £700,000 government grant will be used to decarbonise Ripley headquarters and the Town Hall buildings which were identified as the biggest emitter of carbon. A range of measures will be installed by the end of 2021 which include a new ground source heat pump and improved insulation. It is estimated 82 tonnes of carbon emissions will be saved each year!
Amber Valley Borough also voted to support an international climate campaign to end fossil fuel extraction - one of the first places in the world to back the treaty, joining the cities of Barcelona, Vancouver and Lewes Town Council.
Nottinghamshire County Council Secures Funding to Reduce Carbon Emissions at Two Council Sites
Mon, 12 April 2021
Nottinghamshire County Council has been allocated funding worth more than £400,000 by Government-owned Salix Finance. Funding will be used to reduce carbon emissions and generate solar power at two council sites.
The old gas boiler at Council’s Gedling View building will be replaced with a more efficient air source heat pump, as well as new solar panel installation. Meanwhile, Hagg Farm, based in Peak District, will also see its oil boiler replaced with an air source heat pump, the installation of heat recovery ventilation, and additional solar panels.
These upgrades are estimated to save around 232 tonnes and 581 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the next 20 years, respectively.