10:10 Campaign
South Gloucestershire Council has signed up to the 10:10 campaign, and is using the campaign to raise the profile and accelerate action on reducing carbon dioxide emissions in South Gloucestershire during 2010.
We have an existing Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (for 2008-10) to reduce CO2 emissions in South Gloucestershire. We are working with the Energy Saving Trust and a wide variety of stakeholders to update the Strategy and Action Plan to ensure we prioritise activities that will give us the optimum CO2 savings – from houses, businesses and transport, as well as from the council’s own estate and service delivery.
The South Gloucestershire Local Strategic Partnership has an important leadership role in the move towards a low carbon society. A CO2 reduction workshop was held in April 2010 with the Partnership to help develop its role in achieving emissions reductions, and engaging the wider community including businesses, community groups and individuals.
Some key facts
Data provided by the Department of Energy and Climate Change shows that CO2 emissions from homes, businesses and road transport (excluding motorways) in South Gloucestershire fell from 7.98 tonnes per person in 2005 to 7.77 tonnes in 2006 and to 7.74 tonnes in 2007 (the most recent data available). This represents a reduction of 3.06% in per capita emissions over the two year period.
More information can be found on the 10:10 website by visiting www.1010uk.org
'Live Lighter Campaign'
The Live Lighter campaign consists of a series of 5 recipe cards, with the strap line 'Small actions x Lots of people = Big Change' – encouraging everyone to work together to reduce their CO2 emissions.
There Live Lighter campaign has 5 themes:
Save Energy
Walk More
Eat Well
Buy Better
Waste Less
Each of these themes is reflected on one of the recipe cards. For example, the Save Energy card has a recipe for a no-bake pudding; the Eat Well recipe card has a local, seasonal recipe using fresh vegetables; and the Waste Less recipe card has a meal using leftovers. Each recipe card also contains tips on how residents can save CO2 emissions - with suggestions ranging from leaving the car behind one day a week to choosing to buy better quality goods that will last longer.
The recipe cards can be viewed in the ‘Read More’ Section.
Local Action
If you would like to learn more about local action in your area please refer to the 'Fast facts' section on the right hand side of this page. Here you will find details about the Environment Forum and reports of its previous meetings, along with editions of Networking News - the bi-annual newsletter which covers local environment stories.
If you are a new group or you're just about to form a group in your local area, please do let us know who you are and we'll make sure we keep you updated with environment news, policy and action!
Environment grants
The council offers small grants to local groups and individuals to help fund projects that enhance the quality of the environment, local biodiversity and landscape.
The environment grant can be used for projects that benefit the wider community, enhance the natural environment, promote community involvement and learning, improve access and enjoyment of the countryside and green spaces or promote low carbon and sustainable lifestyles.
Ecojam
Ecojam.org is a website dedicated to raising the profile of local green businesses, organisations and initiatives and connecting them with each other and the people of the former Avon region. Ecojam aims to engage the wider public in making this region sustainable, help communities adopt more sustainable lifestyles and stimulate green businesses.
The website allows community and interest groups and local organisations and businesses to register details about themselves. It provides a platform for sharing ideas, news, advertising local events and promoting projects, you can also join discussions, and recycle unwanted items (similar to the FreeCycle service).
Go to the website on the right hand side of this page to find out more and get connected to what's going on locally!