The ‘Green Neighbourhood Challenge’ – a carbon cutting campaign aimed at community groups in neighbourhoods across York and North Yorkshire – has launched today and we’re on the hunt for teams across the region which think they can measure up.
The campaign, which runs until January next year, aims to challenge community groups to take part in a sub-regional competition to achieve an 11 per cent reduction in their carbon footprint by the end of 2011 – whilst raising awareness of a low carbon lifestyle and earning the laudable title of North Yorkshire’s ‘Greenest Neighbourhood Team’.
Funded by the Yorkshire and Humber Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (YoHR Space) for Harrogate Borough Council and six other councils across York and North Yorkshire, the campaign is managed by Sustainability 4 Yorkshire and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) at York University. Sustainability 4 Yorkshire will work with seven community groups – one from each local authority area – to explore how they can reduce energy usage – which, in turn, will cut emissions and save money for heating and powering appliances.
The potential to install renewable energy will also be explored.
Denise Hall, Green Neighbourhood Challenge Project Coordinator, has developed the incentive-packed campaign to raise public awareness of low carbon lifestyles and foster community cohesion:
“The Green Neighbourhood Challenge provides an opportunity for community teams to work together to reduce their carbon emissions”
“It has evolved from similar successful campaigns such as Harrogate Borough Council’s training scheme for Low Carbon Guides, currently being developed for use in schools”
“We know from experience that community groups really enjoy and rise to this type of challenge”
“We’ll be on hand to provide regular, expert advice and make sure groups can save – and earn – money, as well as create greener communities for themselves and for future generations”
“Prizes will be awarded at a special ceremony for those who’ve reduced their footprint by the most over the year.”
Councillor Michael Harrison, Harrogate Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment) said:
“ This is a great opportunity for local people to get involved with an exciting new project: which helps to reduce their carbon emissions and contribute to tackling the climate change issue.”
“The council has an ambitious target to make a 40 per cent cut in carbon emissions across the district, and I know there are many people in the community keen to get involved”
“We recently ran a project with a group of local volunteers who worked with their neighbours, youth groups and clubs to cut their carbon by well over 600 tonnes – about the same as putting solar panels on 640 homes. The new project will help build on this success.”
To sign up to the Green Neighbourhood Challenge contact Denise Hall on 01904 554465.
You can also download a form from www.sustainability4yorkshire.org.uk.
The closing date for community group applications is 7 March 2011.
For further information please contact: Nicky Harmson or Stephen Belfield at Sustainability 4 Yorkshire
Tel: 01904 554497 or 554415
