The Zero Carbon Communities grants award by South Cambridgeshire District Council are part of its drive for the district to become net zero carbon by 2050.
The grants were established in May 2019. Since then, a total of more than £310,000 has been allocated to 51 different grass roots projects ranging from raising awareness and involving people in issues around carbon emissions, cycling, tree planting, energy efficient lighting, food production, distribution, and waste reduction.
The newly announced projects for the coming year focus on activities to reduce carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, and promote behaviour change towards low carbon lifestyles covering areas such as cycling, community buildings and tree planting.
Awards range up to £15,000 with one project in Girton, being awarded the maximum grant. Girton Parish Council was awarded the money to install energy efficient heating through Infra-red panel heaters.
Northstowe Horticultural Association was awarded £10,000 to build a community building. This will be released if the relevant planning permission is received.
Four projects have been offered funding between £5,000 and £10,000: Shepreth Parish Council with Shepreth Village Hall Committee was awarded £9,495 for the installation of LED lighting, double glazing and solar panels to the Village Hall; West Wickham Village Hall has been awarded £9,000 for the installation of infra-red heating; Cambridge Sustainable Food CIC was awarded £8,541 for running Cottenham Eco Eats Community food events; and finally Headway Cambridgeshire has been awarded £5,000 for their ‘Grow, Share, Eat’ project.
Seven projects have been awarded sums of up to £5,000 each:
Willingham Parish Council awarded £4,161 for wildflower planting
Great Shelford Parochial Charities awarded £4,610 for greening six acres of grassland with allotments, meadows, and orchards.
Cambridge Past Present and Future awarded £3,521 for coppicing and restoring two acres of woodland and planting 50 new trees.
Fen Ditton Parish Council awarded £3,000 for planning 400 hedgerow whips and 33 trees.
Bassingbourn-cum-Kneesworth Climate Emergency Group awarded £2,860 for building a climate change website.
Linton Parish Council awarded £2,828 for a community orchard and tree planting.
Little Shelford Community Orchard and Woodland Project awarded £1,780 for planting hedgerows and fruit trees.
Chair of South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Climate and Environment Advisory Committee, Cllr Pippa Heylings said: “This is the third round of Zero Carbon Community grant funding we have been able to offer out across our district and it is so rewarding to see the inspirational range of ideas that have been put forward for some exceptional grass roots projects. When we started this grant scheme, we hoped to raise the ambition across the district for meeting our zero carbon target together and these projects demonstrate how everyone can play their part in tackling the climate emergency. This is particularly important in the run-up to the global climate summit being hosted by the UK in Glasgow, where all countries are being asked to increase their ambitions.”
Lead Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr John Williams said: “Our Zero Carbon Grants not only fund projects which reduce or offset carbon emissions they also enable communities to get involved and inspire others to think about how they too can reduce their carbon footprint. The projects are wide ranging, showing what opportunities there are for all to do their bit. I’m very proud that our communities in South Cambs have taken onboard this task with such enthusiasm and I look forward to seeing the chosen projects come to fruition. For those who weren’t successful this time we’ll be giving feedback to help you try again next year.”