Our story
The Telford & Wrekin Climate Change Fund is a sustainable initiative being offered by the local authority as part of our commitment to be net zero by 2030, with the aspiration for the Borough to be carbon neutral by then too.
The council recognises that communities may need support and guidance to reduce carbon emissions and provided grants for projects that help them tackle climate change. Grants are available to local organisations for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support a green recovery at a local level.
Cllr Carolyn Healy, Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member for the natural environment and climate change, championed the grant offer. She said: "As well as supporting carbon storage projects like our Trees4TW free trees giveaway, we set up this fund to help local organisations reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, reduce consumption and implement activities around climate change mitigation and adaptation. We can all do something that makes a difference."
Applications for grants are invited from parish and town councils, small businesses, community groups, friends groups, faith groups, schools and nurseries for a range of carbon-reducing ideas, such as: renewable energy generation – solar PV panels, hydro turbines, ground or air source heat pumps; energy efficiency measures – LED lighting, loft insulation, water conservation, upgrading heating systems, lighting or heating controls, double/triple glazing; sustainable travel – cycle stands, electric bikes, EV charging points; and reducing waste – re-use initiatives, community composting, reduce single-use plastic. By September 2024, the council had awarded almost £350,000 through its Climate Change Fund.
To raise further money for the popular Climate Change Fund, the council also launched a Telford & Wrekin Climate Action Investment loan – the first of its kind in the West Midlands - which allowed local residents and organisations to invest in the borough’s green future and enables the community to be a driving force behind Telford and Wrekin’s climate action journey.
The local authority has cut its carbon emissions by 61 per cent, five years after declaring a climate emergency, and is currently on track to hit its net zero ambition ahead of its 2030 target date.
Our advice
To encourage local organisations to get involved, Telford & Wrekin Council's Climate Change Fund was launched in 2021. We invited applications from local businesses, schools, organisations and groups to apply for funds to support projects that would help them reduce their carbon footprint. Interest has been very strong, reaffirming the council's findings that the majority of local people are concerned about climate change and that this kind of fund enables people to take action.
All applications were considered by a panel including members of the council and independent representatives from the Borough Climate Change Partnership.
The council has also set up a dedicated climate change website – www.sustainabletelfordandwrekin.com – to encourage others to think about what they could do. The website includes lots of great sustainability ideas and a growing community of people who are making a difference.
Our Changeprint
Our Changeprint can be measured by the renewable energy generated; energy efficiency measures installed; sustainable travel initiatives implemented; waste reduced; and impact of the Climate Change Fund as a catalyst to hit the net-zero target ahead of 2030.
