Climate Emergency

The Climate Emergency facing our world is a very real issue, but there is plenty we can do to take action to help protect our planet.

Cheshire West and Chester Council declared a Climate Emergency in the borough in 2019 and put forward its Climate Emergency Response plan, which aims to help the borough become carbon neutral by 2045.

This is a space to share ideas, stories and tips about what you are doing locally to reduce your carbon emissions and impact on the environment. Now's the time to react and play your part to make our borough carbon neutral.

The Climate Emergency facing our world is a very real issue, but there is plenty we can do to take action to help protect our planet.

What are you doing to tackle the Climate Emergency?

Residents, community groups, schools and businesses across the borough are busy playing their part to protect our local environment and reduce their impact on the planet by reducing their carbon emissions.

Lots of people taking action together can make a big impact and we want to hear all about the things you are doing. It could be a short tip, a blog or vlog on a certain topic, a pledge to say what you hope to achieve or about an event you’ve organised.

By sharing your story, you could inspire others across the borough to take action today and help us achieve our ambition of being a carbon neutral borough.

Please add your story here

You can add text, photos and videos to your story
Please ensure you have permission to share anything featured here
Please remember this is a public space, so please do not share any personal information about yourself or others in your comment.

We may occasionally contact people who have uploaded an inspiring story to ask if we could share it wider, such as on the Council's social media channels or our Climate Emergency enewsletter. We will always ask permission before we do this and we will only share stories with your approval.

Thank you for sharing your story with us.

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Big Green Day at Frodsham Community Centre

over 3 years ago

Climate Action Frodsham are hosting a Big Green Day, a free event where you can meet like-minded people in your community and learn about planet-friendly ways of living.
There will be a range of stalls open throughout the day, as well as displays and talks from expert speakers aimed at helping you learn more about our changing climate, and ways to reduce our impacts on the world.
Given the rising price of energy, we've brought in two speakers to talk about energy saving ways to save the planet without costing the earth. We'll also look at other topics like food... Continue reading
Climate Action Frodsham are hosting a Big Green Day, a free event where you can meet like-minded people in your community and learn about planet-friendly ways of living.
There will be a range of stalls open throughout the day, as well as displays and talks from expert speakers aimed at helping you learn more about our changing climate, and ways to reduce our impacts on the world.
Given the rising price of energy, we've brought in two speakers to talk about energy saving ways to save the planet without costing the earth. We'll also look at other topics like food and other aspects of sustainable living, which will be featured in talks, stalls and displays.

Programme
10.00 - Stalls open (remaining open throughout the day)
10.30 - Opening ceremony, including songs from `One Voice` Choir from 10.10 onwards
10.50 - 11.30 - Climate Change - is there a Crisis?
11.45 - 12.15 - How does food impact climate change?
1.15 - 1.35 - Songs from Highfield Male Voice Choir
1.45 - 2.30 - Energy saving ideas for warm homes
2.45 - 3.15 - Retrofit for Houses (People Powered Retrofit)
3.30 - 4.00 - Q&A with Mike Amesbury MP

Stall holders include Cheshire Wildlife Trust, NHS Sustainability Stall, Frodsham Town Council, Cycle North Cheshire, Frodsham Gardening Club, Fairtrade stall, WI on 'Food Waste', The Greener Group, Hob Hey Wood Friends Group, Green Christmas, an up-cycling stall and many more.

For full details visit: Climate Action Frodsham - GBGW and Eco Fair 2022
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Get involved in Great Big Green Week 2022

by Eco Communities, over 3 years ago

Great Big Green Week takes place from 24 September to 4 October around the UK and is one of the largest events for climate and nature seen in the UK, celebrating how communities are taking action to tackle climate change and protect green spaces and encouraging others to get involved.
What is Great Big Green Week?
The idea was created by The Climate Coalition. The Climate Coalition is a group of over 100 organisations at 22 million strong. Eco Communities are a member of what is the UK's largest group of people dedicated to action against climate change. Along with... Continue reading

Great Big Green Week takes place from 24 September to 4 October around the UK and is one of the largest events for climate and nature seen in the UK, celebrating how communities are taking action to tackle climate change and protect green spaces and encouraging others to get involved.
What is Great Big Green Week?
The idea was created by The Climate Coalition. The Climate Coalition is a group of over 100 organisations at 22 million strong. Eco Communities are a member of what is the UK's largest group of people dedicated to action against climate change. Along with key organisations like RSPB, WWF, Fairtrade Foundation, National Trust, The Women’s Institute and more.
What is going on in Cheshire West?
Eco Communities is once again working with Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA), Chester Zoo and other partners to hold a Great Big Green Week Festival for Cheshire West at Grosvenor Park, Chester on Saturday 25 September.
The Great Big Green Week Festival at Grosvenor Park will run from 11am to 4pm and there’ll be something for everyone, nature activities, workshops and stalls selling eco, green and sustainable goods. We have Early Bird Free tickets which can be booked where you enter into a prize draw by attending on the day for a range of Eco Goodies. The early bird tickets end at the end of this month. Although entry to the event is free for all at any time, booking provides Important information to help us with things like funding for future activities.
Book a stall at the Great Big Green Week Festival, Grosvenor Park. LINK
Many other events will be taking place around the UK during the Great Big Green Week and you can view these on the official website. Locally you will find activities in Frodsham on both the 1st and 2nd October. Climate Action Frodsham have its Big Green Day on the Saturday and Cheshire Federation of WI have activities at Delamere Forest on the Sunday.
Visit the Great Big Green Week website
If you would like to organise an event in Cheshire West let Eco Communities know on office@sustainablecheshire.uk.
Check out our Cheshire West Great Big Green Week Website - https://great-big-green-week.com/
Our Sustainable Cheshire Website - https://sustainablecheshire.uk/
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Join us for our Paddle, Pick and Picnic @Thurstaston Beach

by Eco Communities, almost 4 years ago

This Plastic Free July we are really excited to be going on a beach litterpick. Our litter picks are linked to our work with Surfers Against Sewage, whichstarted its campaigning in Cornwall where it was all about plastic pollution on beaches and beach litter picks. As its campaign grew it became more common for them to promote litter picks around Summit to Sea. Although Chester has no beach we always wanted to get to complete at least one litter pick, we did this in 2018 with Chester Zoo at Talacre in Flintshire. A very wet and windy day...
Our group... Continue reading
This Plastic Free July we are really excited to be going on a beach litterpick. Our litter picks are linked to our work with Surfers Against Sewage, whichstarted its campaigning in Cornwall where it was all about plastic pollution on beaches and beach litter picks. As its campaign grew it became more common for them to promote litter picks around Summit to Sea. Although Chester has no beach we always wanted to get to complete at least one litter pick, we did this in 2018 with Chester Zoo at Talacre in Flintshire. A very wet and windy day...
Our group litter picks this year have actively linked with The Welsh Dee Trust with its campaign to clean up the River Dee. So later this month The Welsh Dee Trust, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, and Eco Communities are off for a beach litter pick. Weather permitting you might get to paddle in the sea and stay on afterwards for a bit of a picnic. Read full article and book - CLICK
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How Plastic Free is your July?

by Eco Communities, almost 4 years ago

Read article via Sustainable Cheshire (Eco Communities Website) - LINK
Plastic Free July is a global social movement designed to help people to become a part of the solution to the issues of plastic waste. 2022 is a critical year for us all to turn the tide on plastic pollutants — as businesses and governments respond to public concern.
Plastic pollution remains a truly worldwide problem, affecting communities around the world. Despite our careful sorting, collection, and recycling efforts, plastic is everywhere — from the depths of deepest oceans to the heights of the tallest peaks.
It is not only... Continue reading
Read article via Sustainable Cheshire (Eco Communities Website) - LINK
Plastic Free July is a global social movement designed to help people to become a part of the solution to the issues of plastic waste. 2022 is a critical year for us all to turn the tide on plastic pollutants — as businesses and governments respond to public concern.
Plastic pollution remains a truly worldwide problem, affecting communities around the world. Despite our careful sorting, collection, and recycling efforts, plastic is everywhere — from the depths of deepest oceans to the heights of the tallest peaks.
It is not only littering the planet, but it is now littering our bodies — plastic is even found in the placentas of unborn babies. However, 2022 has shown signs of change. On 2 March 2022, the United Nations Environment Assembly agreed to a landmark agreement, creating an historic global treaty to end plastic pollution. A shift that the UN says could reduce the volume of plastics entering our oceans by over 80% by 2040; reduce virgin plastic production by 55%; save governments $70 billion by 2040; reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25%; and create 700,000 additional jobs.
Eco Communities have thrown everything at the problem this year.
They have started installing their Litter Pick Hubs around the Chester area as a start. This was done to ensure that everybody in Cheshire West can help to keep where they live free of litter, even if they don’t have any equipment.
The litter pick hubs could not have gone ahead without a much needed boost in the form of support and funding from Cheshire West and Chester Council. So far there are five hubs in and around Chester, with more to come to Cheshire West in the coming months. All you need to do to access one of the various hubs in your area is to register online.
Helen Tandy from Eco Communities said “As we went into lock down we shared our Surfers Against Sewage litter pickers with the community with no plan to ask for these back, we felt it was important that anyone can make a difference where they live without the need to buy expensive litter pick equipment and so the idea of the litter pick hubs came about” You can find out more about the hubs and how to get involved litter picking where you live here ---- LINK
Eco Communities are also working towards their goal of Plastic Free Cheshire, with new locations being added to the Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Communities Campaign all the time. The group are currently actively supporting the Frodsham, Ellesmere Port, Neston, and Tattenhall areas to become plastic free. This involves engaging with a variety of businesses, schools, community groups, as well as the community at large. Chester became a Plastic Free Community in 2018 and they want to share what they learnt from this with other regions in Cheshire. We awarded the first Business in Neston its award last week, The End of the Avenue became the first Plastic Free Champion in Neston, a step forward for Neston becoming a Plastic Free Community.
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Cheshire and Merseyside Commits to Green Future

by Grace Marshall, almost 4 years ago

All 18 NHS Trusts in Cheshire and Merseyside have signed up to ambitious plans to make them net carbon zero by 2040 - including the 3 Trusts working in the borough (Countess of Chester Hospital Foundation Trust, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Foundation Trust and Mid Cheshire Hospitals Foundation Trust)
Each Trust has published a Green Plan, key priorities from which are contained within the Cheshire and Merseyside Green Plan which will see opportunities to reduce carbon emissions and improve healthy environments across its estate.
Developing new buildings which are energy efficient and sympathetic to their local environment, creating nature gardens... Continue reading
All 18 NHS Trusts in Cheshire and Merseyside have signed up to ambitious plans to make them net carbon zero by 2040 - including the 3 Trusts working in the borough (Countess of Chester Hospital Foundation Trust, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Foundation Trust and Mid Cheshire Hospitals Foundation Trust)
Each Trust has published a Green Plan, key priorities from which are contained within the Cheshire and Merseyside Green Plan which will see opportunities to reduce carbon emissions and improve healthy environments across its estate.
Developing new buildings which are energy efficient and sympathetic to their local environment, creating nature gardens and wild spaces, using less water and paper, and improving the efficiency of heating and energy systems are just some of the plans being put in place to meet the target.
Other ways of reducing carbon such as encouraging more walking, cycling and sustainable travel for staff and patients, and exploring the use of re-usable equipment are also part of the plan.
As well as this, hospitals and other sites will look at how they can reduce the emission of damaging anaesthetic gases.
This is the first time that all 212 trusts in the country have their own roadmap to tackle climate change and meet the NHS’s net zero commitments. The new green plans are expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than a million tonnes in the UK over the next three years – the same as taking 520,000 cars off the road.
The climate crisis is recognised as a health emergency, which is why the NHS has become the first health service in the world to commit to reaching net zero; by 2040 for the emissions it controls directly, and by 2045 for the emissions it influences.
Thousands of deaths occur every year in Cheshire and Merseyside as a result of poor air quality and these often disproportionately affect our poorest and most vulnerable communities.
See the Cheshire and Merseyside Green Plan 2022 here.
Air pollution has a significant effect on public health, and poor air quality is the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK. It is also recognised that some areas of Cheshire and Merseyside have among the highest levels of air pollution in the country.

Dave Sweeney, Director of Partnerships and Sustainability for the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership, said: “All Green Plan priorities from Cheshire and Merseyside trusts have been incorporated into an overarching Green Plan.

“It’s not just the environmental impact that matters; these plans work to deliver improved patient care, save lives, and reduce costs and waste.

“With air pollution alone contributing to one in 20 deaths per a year, it is clear we are facing a health emergency as well as a climate emergency. Our Green Plan is a testament to our staff’s commitment to tackling climate change, and we are proud to set out the positive actions we will take to reduce our impact on the environment and safeguard the future health of our children and grandchildren.”

Find out how you can be more green:
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Chester Community Energy Ltd announce winners of their schools' sustainability competition

by Chester Community Energy, almost 4 years ago

Chester Community Energy Ltd are delighted to announce that the “The Light Savers” team from Upton-by-Chester High School have won our Sustainability Competition for state-funded secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester this year.
The Light Savers, a group of year 9 students, guided by their Head of Geography, provided a fantastic entry for an LED lighting project for one of their classrooms. They also made a very engaging video on the benefits of LED lighting to accompany their entry.
Chester Community Energy Ltd aims to reduce carbon emissions in our area by developing renewable energy schemes and... Continue reading
Chester Community Energy Ltd are delighted to announce that the “The Light Savers” team from Upton-by-Chester High School have won our Sustainability Competition for state-funded secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester this year.
The Light Savers, a group of year 9 students, guided by their Head of Geography, provided a fantastic entry for an LED lighting project for one of their classrooms. They also made a very engaging video on the benefits of LED lighting to accompany their entry.
Chester Community Energy Ltd aims to reduce carbon emissions in our area by developing renewable energy schemes and encouraging energy efficiency. Upton-by-Chester High School received £1000 to spend on their winning project. Each member of the winning team also received a £20 gift voucher to spend in Chester and an invitation to participate in a Chester Community Energy Directors’ meeting.
The prizes are awarded from the Chester Community Energy Ltd Community Benefit Fund. This fund has been set up by our collective membership and is funded directly from the returns from their investments in our solar energy projects.
And the winning project has already been implemented - Cool and energy-efficient lighting!
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Family Bike Ride to Chester Zoo

by Ian S, almost 4 years ago

Celebrate National Bike Week with the Chester Cycling Campaign by joining our family cycle ride to Chester Zoo on Sunday, June 12th!
Members of the Campaign will be offering a guided, circular cycle ride via Chester Zoo’s Nature Park area as part of Cycling UK’s National Bike Week. The ride departs from outside the Northgate Arena at 10:30 sharp on Sunday 12^th June.
The route is 8 miles in length and is virtually flat. We will be riding at a pace that suits all on quiet(ish) roads through Upton and back along the (traffic-free) canal towpath. Families are welcome... Continue reading
Celebrate National Bike Week with the Chester Cycling Campaign by joining our family cycle ride to Chester Zoo on Sunday, June 12th!
Members of the Campaign will be offering a guided, circular cycle ride via Chester Zoo’s Nature Park area as part of Cycling UK’s National Bike Week. The ride departs from outside the Northgate Arena at 10:30 sharp on Sunday 12^th June.
The route is 8 miles in length and is virtually flat. We will be riding at a pace that suits all on quiet(ish) roads through Upton and back along the (traffic-free) canal towpath. Families are welcome to attend but do be aware that younger children need to be able to take on this distance.
The Zoo offers a 15% discount to those arriving by cycle. Folk are welcome to take advantage of this offer but, please be aware, the ride leaders will return to Chester after a short break at the Nature Park area.
We look forward to seeing you and welcoming you on this celebration of cycling!
Use the link below to book your free tickets. Note that tickets are required for all those attending, including children. Members of Chester Cycling Campaign will supervise the ride but riders will retain ultimate responsibility for their own safety and that of accompanying minors.
Book Places for Your Family Here
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Watch out for out Litter PIck Hubs coming to the region in June

by Eco Communities, almost 4 years ago

We have been litter picking in the region as part of Plastic Free Chester for the last few years. We are now supporting Plastic Free Cheshire and so want to branch out. Of course lock down stopped group picks, but it was fantastic to see lots of Womble Groups starting or growing during this period. At the moment you need top purchase your own equipment or loan it from the Street Scene team. The team are travelling to deliver odd litter pickers to residents seems to go against the aims of reducing our Carbon Footprint, so we applied for funding... Continue reading

We have been litter picking in the region as part of Plastic Free Chester for the last few years. We are now supporting Plastic Free Cheshire and so want to branch out. Of course lock down stopped group picks, but it was fantastic to see lots of Womble Groups starting or growing during this period. At the moment you need top purchase your own equipment or loan it from the Street Scene team. The team are travelling to deliver odd litter pickers to residents seems to go against the aims of reducing our Carbon Footprint, so we applied for funding from Cheshire West and Cheshire Council to create Litter Pick Hubs.
You can now borrow equipment from one of our hubs which we are rolling out in the region. You can also join one of our group litter picks which have now restarted.
So far we will have hubs in some of the Chester Parks, Sykes Cottages, Exsqeeze Me in Handbridge, Just Footprints in Chester and Frodsham, Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove in Upton and more to be finalised. Want a hub near you email office@sustainablecheshire.uk
If you want to read more and keep updated on our hubs - Read more
Photo Jim Holmes
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Hedgehog Watch

by Sacha@CWaC, almost 4 years ago

20 May 2022
Chester Zoo is encouraging local residents to Act for Wildlife, by taking part in this year’s Hedgehog Watch. The project highlights the plight of hedgehogs, whose numbers have steeply declined in recent years.
The local community is being asked to survey their back garden (or private green space) using motion-activated cameras. The images captured will enable the zoo to build up a picture of how hedgehogs use green spaces, and the habitat features that are required to help hedgehogs thrive.
Visit Chester Zoo’s website for more information about Hedgehog Watch and find out how you can get... Continue reading
20 May 2022
Chester Zoo is encouraging local residents to Act for Wildlife, by taking part in this year’s Hedgehog Watch. The project highlights the plight of hedgehogs, whose numbers have steeply declined in recent years.
The local community is being asked to survey their back garden (or private green space) using motion-activated cameras. The images captured will enable the zoo to build up a picture of how hedgehogs use green spaces, and the habitat features that are required to help hedgehogs thrive.
Visit Chester Zoo’s website for more information about Hedgehog Watch and find out how you can get involved.
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Help us to Create the Cheshire Cup - phase one Chester

by Eco Communities, almost 4 years ago

We can't keep creating this single use cup waste. We need a reuse system that works and we think Cheshire deserves this.
What we propose is deposit return style scheme, where a deposit is paid for the reusable coffee cup, a small deposit say £1 is paid for the cup itself. The take away coffee and cup can be taken off the premises, but the cup can then be taken back to the same café the next day or handed into another participating café for a new clean cup or refund. Read the full story and how we propose to... Continue reading

We can't keep creating this single use cup waste. We need a reuse system that works and we think Cheshire deserves this.
What we propose is deposit return style scheme, where a deposit is paid for the reusable coffee cup, a small deposit say £1 is paid for the cup itself. The take away coffee and cup can be taken off the premises, but the cup can then be taken back to the same café the next day or handed into another participating café for a new clean cup or refund. Read the full story and how we propose to fund this, with phase one being Chester. Click here