Community climate change projects underway in Renfrewshire following £50,000 award

Eighteen climate change projects are underway in Renfrewshire thanks to funding from Renfrewshire Council’s Community Climate Fund.

£50,000 has been allocated for community organisations to develop localised, green community projects and initiatives to encourage participation and raise awareness of the climate emergency within our communities.

Initiatives have been designed and are being delivered by local residents, but supported by the Council’s through its Ren Zero campaign – and up to £3,000 was available for each project.

The Finding Your Feet charity have transformed an area of unused waste ground into a community garden with raised beds to grow vegetables, herbs and flowers; fruit trees; an outdoor gym and play equipment, while Bonnie Bishopton have established their own community garden with sustainable plants and shrubs and a sensory garden within the nursery which includes new benches made from recycled milk bottles.

Kirklandneuk Primary School Parent Council’s ‘Mon the Weans, ‘Mon the Bees, ‘Mon the Community!’ project has created an outdoor space for food growing and biodiversity with the area prepped and planted ahead of the growing season, and similarly Renfrewshire Rainbow Buddies Little and Large Explorers have started a new garden with planters and benches, as well as trikes, bikes and a pull along wagon which will let the children travel actively this summer.

The Sewing2gether All Nations – ‘Repair Make Do & Mend’ project transforms clothes in need of repair to promote the reuse of items and a reduction in waste, with home sowing kits provides to members to practice and provide the service to friends and family, and the Howwood Park pavilion has been fitted with attic insulation, LED internal lights and low energy heaters to reduce its carbon emissions and energy usage.

Councillor Jim Paterson, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Planning and Climate Change Policy Board, said: “As we work towards becoming net zero by 2030, it’s important that we all work together to achieve this aim – from local communities and businesses to larger organisations and us as a council.

“Every action, however small, has an impact on our environment and our emissions so it’s great to see local communities making positive changes in their areas and I’m glad we’ve been able to provide £50,000 of funding for local people to use.

“The 18 funded projects are all underway and already making a difference and I’m looking forward to seeing their progression throughout this year.”

Funding for the Community Climate Fund was provided from the council’s £1million Climate Change Action Fund, which aims to fund innovative projects and initiatives developed in response to the climate emergency, with other projects currently underway including £100,000 for net zero business grants and £258,000 for electric vehicles in the council fleet.

It forms part of the first phase of Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero which focuses on five key themes of clean energy, sustainable transport, circular economy, connected communities and resilient place to support Renfrewshire to reach its ambitious emissions target.

The plan was created through engagement with local residents and the Climate Panel, surveying of local businesses, and engaging with partners, stakeholders and COP26 ambassadors to ensure that the design and delivery of the plan was a collaborative approach.

For more information on Renfrewshire’s Ren Zero campaign and the area’s climate ambitions, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/climatechange.