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 "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has" -
Margaret Mead, Anthropologist (1901-1978)
Charities, Voluntary and Community Groups are increasingly being encouraged to improve their environmental efficiency, in terms of reducing energy consumption and waste.
How to go Carbon Neutral
- REDUCE: by doing fewer things that use up energy supplies and by using more efficient supplies and vehicles.
- RENEW: by getting the electricity that you still need either by generating it yourself, by using low carbon sources or purchasing from renewable suppliers. And you should switch to using alternate fuel cars if at all possible.
- REPLACE: by offsetting the remaining carbon emissions by investing in tree planting or other projects that replace carbon dioxide.
Real Examples of Communities going Carbon Neutral
- Ashton Hayes - find out how Ashton Hayes is aiming to England's first Carbon Neutral Village at www.goingcarbonneutral.co.uk.
- Zero Carbon Castle - find out how locally the residents in the Castle Ward East, Bedford are striving to become a zero carbon community through the Zero Carbon Castle Project
Things to Do
Want to do something to help stop global warming?
Here are some simple things you can do and how much carbon dioxide you’ll save doing them:
- Change a light - Replacing one regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb will save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide a year & save you money on your electricity bills.
- Drive less - Walk, bike, car share or use public transport more often. You’ll save one pound for every mile you don’t drive!
- Recycle more - You can save 2400 pounds of carbon dioxide per year by recycling just half of your household waste.
- Check your tyres - Keeping your tyres inflated properly can improve petrol consumption by more than 3%. Every gallon of petrol saved keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
- Use less hot water - It takes a lot of energy to heat water. Use less hot water. With a kettle only fill it with the amount you are going to use for your cup of coffee or tea!
- Avoid products with lots of packaging - You can save 1200 pounds of carbon dioxide if you cut down on your rubbish by 10%
- Adjust your thermostat - Moving your thermostat just 2 degrees in winter and up 2 degrees in the summer. You could save about 2000 pounds of carbon a year with this simple adjustment.
- Plant a tree - A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.
- Turn off electronic devices - Simply turning your computer off & not leaving electronic devices on stand by when you are not using them will save you thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide a year
For more tips visit:
Voluntary Sector Action over Climate Change
JustAct
JUSTACT will help Third Sector organisations find the focus, information, supportive community and collective power we need to bring the Third Sector Declaration On Climate Change to life. The more organisations who Sign Up, Act Up and Speak Up, the better our chances of safeguarding a just and sustainable future. This is the successor to the Every Action Counts initiative and their website continues to contain useful resources to aid your organisation in its quest to become greener.
The Third Sector Declaration on Climate Change has two main sections. The first section recognises the crucial role of the third sector and the importance of understanding the link between social justice and climate change reduction. The second section deals with the commitment of tackling climate change and provides a plan of action to be taken by those signing up to the declaration. You can join other organisations in committing your organisation to face this challenge by:
- Recognising the need for urgent action at all levels to combat climate change
- Adopting public plans to reduce carbon emissions
- Enabling members, service users and clients to meet this challenge and reduce their own carbon emissions
- Supporting national legal targets for greenhouse gas emissions
- Working in partnership with government and others to reach or exceed these targets
- Working together as a sector to inspire and encourage action on this issue
To learn more about JustAct and to sign up to the Third Sector Declaration on Climate Change visit www.justact.org.uk
Adopt an Environmental Policy
Your organisation should consider adopting an Environmental Policy, so that tackling climate change formalized as central to your organisations activities.
You can download a model policy (PDF file) below:
Funding
Bedford Mayor's Climate Change Fund
Bedford Borough Council has made £150k available to fund community projects which aim to counter climate change. The Mayor's Climate Change Fund is a grant funded scheme which aims to support projects which will contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions in the Borough of Bedford.
The minimum grant level is £5k and the maximum level you can apply for is £20k. All monies must be spent within 12 months of an offer being made. Applicants will need to provide match funding of at least 50% of the total project cost from other sources. For more information visit Bedford Borough Council's Website.
The Green Grants Machine
A FREE website to help you find the funding on offer to boost your business’s bottom line by improving its environmental performance.
Search through the UK’s most comprehensive source of information on grants, loans, awards and other funds available to help businesses go green.
That’s easy money on offer to help you:
- Cut waste
- Slash energy bills
- Improve productivity
- Buy energy efficient equipment
- Generate your own electricity
- Develop innovative new low carbon products
- Meet tough environmental regulations
Website: www.greengrantsmachine.co.uk
Global Action
10:10 Initiative
10:10 is about one simple idea: we all commit to reduce our carbon emissions by 10% in 2010, then work together to make it happen.
Individuals and families, voluntary groups, schools and universities, small shops and global brands, film stars and politicians … almost everyone can cut their carbon emissions by 10%.
Big tasks are easier if broken up into smaller, manageable pieces – and 10% this year is much more tangible and achievable than, say, 80% by 2050.
To sign up to the initiative and find out more about 10:10 visit www.1010global.org/uk
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