Our Changeprint
Our Changeprint can be measured by the everyday tools and items people borrow instead of buy, resulting in a positive environmental and social impact; the homeowners who retrofit of their homes, saving energy and reducing carbon emissions; the good food distributed by the community fridge that does not go to waste; and by the residents and young people who feel more empowered to take positive action after attending our talks, events and Youth Group.
Our story
Raechel Kelly runs Cheltenham-based sustainability consultancy firm The Liminality. As part of The Liminality's work, Rachel is working on 'Planet Cheltenham', which is a community space working to reduce carbon across the town, by raising awareness of climate breakdown and taking climate action. Planet Cheltenham runs a variety of projects:
- 'A Library of Things'; providing everyday tools and items to people which they can borrow from their local library.
- Energy-saving talks and exhibitions to help people to understand how to reduce their household energy bills.
- A community fridge, part of the 'Feeding Gloucestershire network'.
- Climate Change Makers Programme, funded by Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucestershire County Council. The programme involves 11 residents in a peer-led, 6-month learning journey about climate change and local solutions, to empower them to understand and create greater climate action. Participants receive a stipend to enable them to attend and also access to a funding pot for their project ideas!
Previous Planet Cheltenham projects are also diverse. They included a 'Doughnut Economics Group', which involved a group of 10 residents in a peer-to-peer learning journey lasting 8 months; and 'Little Planet Cheltenham', which was a baby and toddler group which hosted different activities, such as nature art, future imagining and plant listening.
In terms of prioritising sustainability, Raechel Kelly said: "The main benefit of reducing carbon is embracing the idea that we do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors – rather we borrow it from our children. Having your everyday work and career based around sustainability means you can live with that long-term thinking."
Our advice
If you are just starting your net-zero journey, it is very important to engage everyone in your organisation. You need to find the right people to lead and not view it as a passion project – you need to dedicate business time and give everyone a role so they can empower others throughout the organisation to make changes.
