< Back Celebrating South Shropshire Climate Action Nick Read 1 Apr 2025 ... and the next steps for Shropshire Climate Action On 10th April at the Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, there will be a celebration of the last three years’ progress towards a net zero Shropshire, and the launch of ambitious new plans in which South Shropshire Climate Action (SSCA) will be re-born as Shropshire Climate Action. SSCA comprises networks and organisations in South Shropshire who work to reduce greenhouse gases and protect the natural environment. Funding from an anonymous donor has supported two Project Co-ordinators for the last three years, Nick Read and Fiona Morgan, to create collaborative partnerships, share best practice and provide advice and support towards achieving the net zero target. 10th April will be a celebration of SSCA’s successes and the launch of ambitious future plans. Shropshire Climate Action is county-wide (including Telford & Wrekin), creating a wider partnership of climate and nature groups; more local hubs will be created to promote climate action, including plans for the Discovery Centre at Craven Arms; and it will strengthen the links with allied networks such as the Marches Nature Partnership and the Shropshire Good Food Partnership, generating greater momentum in the quest to achieve net zero and protect and enhance Nature in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin. Our guest list for the event includes those engaged in practical action, policy makers and opinion formers, contributors to our “Next Steps” report and project, and those who will deliver action in the months and years to come. Come to be inspired, to network, and to discuss your own plans with key stakeholders. Please email contact@shropshireclimateaction.org for more information. Previous Next

< Back Wellington's award winning cycle powered delivery service Anthony Lowe & Fiona Morgan 20 Sept 2024 Green Award winners at BBC Radio Shropshire's Make a Difference Awards 2024 Wellington Cycle Delivery Scheme recently won a Green Award at the BBC Radio Shropshire's Make a Difference Awards 2024 , held on 20 September, for its work promoting sustainable travel while delivering shopping by e-bike. The Cycle Delivery Service has 14 volunteers who provide a free-of-charge shopping delivery service within a 3 mile radius of Wellington on market days. In 2023, they completed over 1000 deliveries, cycling 3000 miles and reducing Wellington's carbon footprint by 625kgs. The group use Noddy - the e-cargo bike which belongs to Wellington Town Council - to provide their service. Dave Staniforth, one of the group's volunteers, told BBC Radio Shropshire, "We try to make a difference in our town, and I think if everybody else across Shropshire can make some little difference to their place then it will be a better place to live as well." Previous Next

< Back The Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (SEND) at Keele University Clive Dyson 8 Mar 2023 SSCA's field visit to Keele University to see their renewable energy park Mike Bourke, Susan Lockwood and Clive and Kate Dyson visited Keele University on Wednesday 8th March 2023 to see the renewable energy park and the Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (SEND). Keele University operates its own electricity distribution network, so is in a good position to experiment, somewhat isolated from the grid. It has two wind turbines, generating up to 1.7 MW, and an array of 12,500 solar panels, generating up to c. 5.5 MW. It also has a c. 2 MWh battery. On the cold, clouded winter day of our visit it was supplying about two thirds of the energy demand of the campus. There is also an export grid connection rated at about 1 MW. Alongside the energy park, it has been running a Smart Energy Network Demonstrator project, with support from Siemens (I believe it’s had research funding as well). This controls the generation system, use of electricity across the campus and export to / import from the grid. SEND also provides support to local enterprises, assisting them to develop energy-efficient low carbon solutions, and adding 120 new jobs and £40 million gross value added (GVA) to the regional economy. The University also carries out research and development in relation to low-carbon technologies, new energy products and data management systems. For example, it successfully trialled OFGEM’s Hydeploy project to inject 20% Green hydrogen into the University’s wholly owned gas network, testing its safety in the existing pipes and boilers and reducing carbon emissions by 7%. This project is now being taken forward on a larger scale in Gateshead, involving local homes, schools and other public buildings. Keele is also participating in a consortium of eight regional universities in the HyDEX programme to promote a new hydrogen industrial economy. During our visit we viewed the energy park, and learned of its positive impact on local biodiversity. During a (much warmer!) time spent in the impressive control centre we learned about the monitoring systems, the relationship of renewable energy developments to the planning regime, and the constraints of a decentralized community system like this in relation to the National Grid. This is a marvellous regional resource, and we hope to arrange further visits by key local organisations. We are most grateful to the staff of SEND for such a memorable learning experience. Previous Next

< Back SSCA signs the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Fiona Morgan 31 Jan 2023 We need to get serious about taking global climate action Al Gore’s blistering 4 minute speech at the World Economic Forum, January 2023 about the state of the climate crisis Watch it and weep and then take action! Former Vice President of the United States, Al Gore, gave an incredibly powerful and passionate 4 minute speech during a panel session at the World Economic Forum, Davos in January, which summarised in just 4 blistering minutes where the world is at in relation to the climate crisis; the deliberate attempts by the fossil fuel industry to scupper any meaningful action to reduce carbon emissions including undermining the COP process; and the moral obligation that we have to take action to transition to net zero for the sake of all younger people and to prevent upwards of 1 billion people becoming climate refugees. You can watch the video here . Sign up to the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty TODAY The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is a bold new proposal to phase out coal, oil and gas faster, fairly and forever. Similar to other impactful international treaties that have helped phase out the use of nuclear weapons, landmines and chlorofluorocarbons, a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty will require widespread global support – from a wide range of institutions and individuals including civil society organisations, cities, governments and citizens around the world. The current priority is for organisations and individuals to endorse the Treaty at fossilfueltreaty.org and promote the concept among their networks using the hashtag #FossilFuelTreaty South Shropshire Climate Action has joined hundreds of organisations around the world in calling for a #FossilFuelTreaty with 3 objectives: No new coal, oil & gas Phase out fossil fuels A global #JustTransition Watch this 90-second video to find out more. Previous Next

< Back Interesting conversations at Morville Annual Community event David Matthews 19 May 2025 Renewable energy popular with farmers, and a new argument for heat pumps? Last month, SCA was at the Morville Annual Community event. It was very well attended, and it was great to talk to several local farmers about renewable energy and how they are combining solar with agriculture (primarily sheep grazing) on the same land. There was interest too in battery storage, and the installation of wind turbines, now some of the planning restrictions have been lifted. According to the Impact Community Carbon Calculator, Morville has a higher than average carbon footprint, thanks to the widespread use of oil for home heating. The Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) attending the event were highlighting theft of fuel from oil tanks as a leading example of crime affecting rural communities in Shropshire. Perhaps that’s another argument for having a heat pump installed? Previous Next

< Back Minsterley Meadows success Janet Cobb 1 Dec 2024 Fundraiser saves nationally important Shropshire grassland Following a 10-month campaign by local people and nature conservationists, Middle Marches Community Land Trust and Marches Meadow Group are delighted to announce that Minsterley Meadows have been purchased. Thanks are due to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and players, 367 donors, Morris & Co and over 100 supporters and volunteers. The meadows are nationally important and are amongst the best flowery grasslands in Shropshire. They support over 5,000 green-winged orchids, a species which has severely declined over the last 100 years. Over 90% of Shropshire’s green-winged orchids are in these two hay meadows. In addition, funds have been secured for ongoing management of the meadows including supporting local people to care for them and engaging with young people through a local art project, activities and events as well as working closely with local schools. Peter Carty, Chair of Marches Meadow Group commented: “This is a fantastic achievement…such places are arks of wildlife from where we hope to collect seed and material to spread into new meadows” Geoff Rogers, Chair, Minsterley Parish Council adds: "The Parish of Minsterley greatly appreciates all those who have secured the purchase of Minsterley Meadows saving it for future generations.” Previous Next

< Back Want to make your home more energy efficient? Tony Baker 1 Aug 2025 Find out what support is available from Marches Energy Agency Retrofitting your home has so many advantages, from cutting your energy bills and your carbon footprint, to improving comfort, and even health and wellbeing. But it can all feel a bit daunting, especially in older heritage properties – so where do you start? With a thorough assessment of your property carried out by an independent, impartial expert from Future Ready Homes. Future Ready Homes is the retrofit advice service of long-established Shrewsbury-based charity Marches Energy Agency. If you aren't eligible for Government grant funded programmes such as ECO, and so are funding your own retrofit works, you can apply for our retrofit support package. The usual cost is around £900 depending on the size and complexity of your house. Thanks to funding from the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme this support is offered on a ‘choose what you pay’ basis, so long as you own and live in one of the relevant property types: Victorian or Edwardian solid wall house in Shropshire. Cavity wall houses on mains gas in Telford & Wrekin. A retrofit surveyor will visit your home to talk through your individual priorities and wishes, and to assess your options. The visit will involve a detailed analysis of the thermal performance of your home (non-invasive). If conditions allow, this will include thermal imaging, air tightness testing and/or temperature and relative humidity monitoring. You will receive a detailed report setting out recommendations for energy efficiency improvements to make in your home, in manageable stages. We will signpost you to local contractors and installers. You and your contractor will be able to access our technical panel of experts with any questions you may have. And the Future Ready Homes team will be here to support you through your project. So if you would like some advice on how to thoroughly insulate your home, make it less draughty, or perhaps you're considering solar panels or a heat pump, help is at hand. There's lots of useful advice at https://futurereadyhomes.org.uk/ or you can apply for a survey at https://futurereadyhomes.org.uk/retrofit-support-package/ Previous Next

< Back A poem about climate change: to inspire thoughtful consideration and action David Powley 4 Jun 2024 Part of the Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow exhibition, Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, May 2024 This poem by David Powley formed part of the Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow exhibition held last month at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms. The exhibition focused on the theme of climate change and the environment and the need for action and highlighted the importance of involving people of all ages in action and discussion about the issues. You can find more information about the project via this website . What the older generations did YESTERDAY means that we must all fix things TODAY so that the younger generations have a TOMORROW Previous Next

Shropshire Climate Action: About us About Shropshire Climate Action Shropshire Climate Action is a registered charity which operates as a network across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. SCA aims to tackle the ecological and climate emergencies across Shropshire, achieving a net-zero carbon footprint for the county by 2030 and restoration of nature, through building community capacity and empowering local action. Our Vision By 2030, Shropshire is no longer a county that contributes to the climate change crisis. Nature has been restored, our communities and enterprises are now sustainable. Our mission statement Our purpose is to support Shropshire to achieve net zero carbon and restore nature by 2030. We will be a catalyst that brings local people and organisations together to address the climate and ecological emergencies in a just and sustainable way. Governance SCA is constituted as a not-for-profit limited company and registered as a charity. You can read its articles of association here and charitable governing document on the Charity Commission website here . Achievements Since 2021, Zero Carbon Shropshire (Shropshire Climate Action Partnership) (as it was known) and South Shropshire Climate Action have helped to set up or deliver the following projects: The Shropshire Good Food Partnership Cool Shropshire and Telford for small business advice A map of sites suitable for renewable energy (Solar and Wind) and for carbon sequestration across the county A collaborative network of local climate action groups The Shropshire Love Nature Festival This website packed with resources and advice on how to take action across the county Regular newsletters about the climate action, events and news in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Leaflets of Walks through Ludlow and Bridgnorth's green spaces Retrofit toolkits for energy efficient homes and a repair cafe toolkit An Action Learning Project (2025) funded by Shropshire Council exploring how to decarbonise Shropshire communities Four climate conferences for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. Adrian Cooper (M.Sc, MA, MRTPI) Trustee Adrian was Shropshire Council’s Climate Change Manager until 2024, having established and led a small specialist professional team to develop and deliver Shropshire Council’s climate change and carbon reduction strategy. This included helping the Council to demonstrate leadership by example and the provision of advice to help businesses and communities across the county with their own response. Adrian also led the development of ground-breaking projects on biochar, renewable energy generation, EV charging infrastructure and hydrogen transport fuel. On taking early retirement from Shropshire Council in 2024 Adrian joined the Shrewsbury-based Clean Tech Business Group to contribute his extensive experience in sustainable resource management, climate change and carbon reduction to help local businesses navigate the challenge of climate change. Adrian is an accredited Carbon Literacy Facilitator and is currently providing Carbon Literacy Training for local businesses and other organisations. Adrian is also currently working part-time as the Net Zero Delivery Manager for Powys County Council. In addition to these formal roles, Adrian is a voluntary Climate Ambassador providing free advice to local schools and an enthusiastic volunteer at the Shrewsbury Food Hub, helping to collect and distribute surplus food from local supermarkets and manufacturers to those in need in the Shrewsbury area. Daphne du Cros Trustee Daphne is the Partnership lead for the Shropshire Good Food Partnership. She holds a PhD in Food Policy, is a Visiting Lecturer at Harper Adam's University. Her roles include Research, training and consulting on local food resilience and strategies for communities and Councils. She is the founder of Food Forward Bishop's Castle which produced the first (and only) Community Food Resilience Strategy in Shropshire, and runs the Bishop’s Castle Community Seed Bank, and Little Woodbatch Farm CIC for upskilling people in horticulture, food preserving, seed saving, with a focus on connection and community engagement. Jane Cullen Trustee My background in teaching suited me well for the role of Chair of South Shropshire Climate Action. After retiring from teaching I was lucky enough to go into business helping to establish Appleteme as a very successful local artisan business . In doing this I gained fresh experience and some perspectives of working on the land, and then promoting our product in the marketplace. This complete cycle is a very different experience to teaching young people at a particular school stage and I was lucky to experience both. As Chair of SSCA I worked with a team of committed specialists to produce first the 'Next Steps' Conferences and from those the 'Next Steps' Report. This report (‘Next Steps’ Climate Action Plan) was written by 33 Shropshire residents over the winter of 2020 to 2021. It made an immediate impact and attracted a very generous donation from a local citizen, enabling SSCA to employ two part time coordinators Nick Read and Fiona Morgan. 'Next Steps' outlines many solutions to the climate emergency in a Shropshire context. As is well known, the solutions already exist but implementation is a major challenge, always remembering 'think global, act local'. Chris Deaves (BSc, C.Eng) Chair of Trustees My career was spent working in IT in start-ups, large corporations and public sector bodies doing detailed technical design, project management, strategic corporate IT policy and consultancy. I have been a beekeeper for over 30 years and manage the teaching at the Ludlow Association. I was a Trustee of the British Beekeeping Association and chair of their education committee. I am currently Chair of Shropshire Climate Action and Chair of the Marches Energy Agency . I am a Trustee of Hands Together Ludlow and have developed their approach to digital inclusion and recycling IT equipment. Mark Fermor (BSc MSc DUC MBA CGeol FGS FRSA) Trustee I am a hydrogeologist and risk analyst who founded and led environmental consultancy ESI (1996-2018). Since then I have led the development of GeoSmart, an environmental data and analytics enterprise based in Shrewsbury, am currently Chair and working towards more joined up flood modelling and risk assessment in the UK. In 2020 I was a founder of Shropshire Climate Action and Director of the Zero Carbon Shropshire Plan (2020). I founded a community active travel charity, Shropshire Cycle Hub, am Chair of the board of trustees and regular eCargo bike delivery rider. Barbara Rainford Trustee I am a joint partner in Strawberry Fields, a marketing and social media consultancy. I am an elected director of the Midcounties Co-operative (which set up Co-op Energy) and Co-op Press. I helped set up Babbinswood Farm Community Benefit Society , which is campaigning to save an organic farm in North Shropshire. I was a volunteer with the Shropshire Wildlife Trust. I believe regenerative agriculture and green energy are the future for plants, people and the planet. Jess Walton (BSc MSc) Trustee I am currently working as a project manager at Marches Energy Agency. I have a BA degree in politics and international relations as well as a Masters degree in political ecology. I am a long-time climate activist and former chairperson of Generation Zero Carbon Shropshire. Grant Wilson Trustee I have lived in Ludlow with my wife for 20 years, drawn here from my home county of Cheshire by the thriving local food scene, stunning scenery and fantastic hill trails. In my professional life, I run the Discovery Centre in Craven Arms, helping to connect people with the food, history and landscape of the Shropshire Hills. We look after 12 hectares of land in the Onny Meadows which is managed for the benefit of wildlife and for public access. We have restored 8 hectares of grassland to traditional flower-rich hay meadow and the woodlands are in a cyclical programme of coppicing, resulting in a huge increase in biodiversity. The Centre is also home to the Shropshire Mammoth and operates a vibrant café, shop and events programme. We recently installed a 70KW solar array which is the penultimate step of a 5-year journey to make the Centre carbon negative. We just need to replace our gas boiler with a heat pump to complete the process. Outside of my work, I’m a passionate foodie, trail runner, ornithologist and cyclist, spending much of my free time in the Mortimer Forest and the wider Shropshire Hills National Landscape exploring the wildlife and scenery that abounds here. I was delighted to be invited to join the enthusiastic board of trustees of Shropshire Climate Action and hope to use my time here to help bring SCA’s important messaging to a wider audience by introducing a climate café. I also want to encourage active travel in the county by working with SCA’s wide network of contacts to help many more people reduce their carbon footprint, reduce travel costs and get fitter too! Adrian Cooper (M.Sc, MA, MRTPI) Meet the Project Team David Matthews SCA Programme manager, Chair of Stretton Climate Care Mike Bourke SCA Energy and Buildings lead, Trustee for Stretton Climate Care Sascha Robinson SCA Transport lead, project worker for Living Streets Di Lyle SCA Waste lead, Founder and coordinator for the Ludlow Repair Café Colin Preston SCA Land and Biodiversity lead, Chair of the Marches Nature Partnership, Previously Chief Executive of Shropshire Wildlife Trust Chloe King SCA volunteer, Project manager for Marches Energy Agency John Hughes SCA Communications and Fundraising lead, previously worked for Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Shropshire Council Tina Teearu SCA social media team Anna Ponder SCA social media team, Intern at Marches Energy Agency and ELP2 participant Sue Burnell Climate Fresk facilitator for community Kev Oubridge Climate Fresk facilitator for Business Consultants Joy Greenall (Measures) Joy was brought up in Ludlow. She taught in London before completing a Nature Conservation MSc. She worked for NCC (now Natural England) and the Cambridgeshire Wildlife Trust, spent 10 years providing on-farm advice and management plans in Berks and Oxon for the farming and wildlife charity FWAG, and then joined Duchy Home Farm at Highgrove as Sustainable Agriculture officer. Farming has always been her first love and 25 years ago she had the opportunity to come home and run an organic farm with husband Mark. Livestock farming leaves little free time, but other activities include choral singing, flower arranging and community project work, including chairing Land, Life & Livelihoods. Mark Measures BSc. Hons, Agric., FRAgS., IOTA Accredited An international consultant in policy, research and training in farm business and environmental management, soil, crop and animal husbandry. Formerly head of the Organic Advisory Service and the Institute of Organic Training and Advice and visiting lecturer at Scotland’s Rural College. He is director of an education and conservation trust in Argentina, jo int editor of the “Organic Farm Management Handbook” (12th edition), a 2018 Winston Churchill Fellow (studying soil management in the US and Europe), and a partner in a 150-acre farm in the Shropshire Hills. Professor John Whitelegg Senior Fellow for transport and climate change at the Foundation for Integrated Transport and an international consultant on transport projects. John has authored te chnical standards, reports and 11 books concerning sustainable transport , including “Mobility: A New Urban Design and Transport Planning Philosophy for a Sustainable Future ”. He is an adviser to the World Health Organisation on road safety and active travel. Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin's Climate and Nature Network St Martin's Parish Council Climate Action Working Group Sustainable Highley Thank you We are grateful to the following for their contribution to our website: Mike Bourke (Stretton Climate Care); Clive Dyson (Sustainable Bridgnorth), Sally Lancaster (previously of Generation Zero Carbon Shropshire) for writing text; Caroline Talbot (Mossy Life) for working with us and permitting us to embed her events pages and maps; Chris Deaves for technical support and Sarah Jameson for its design and technical support.

SCC Landing Our story and our values

Shropshire Climate Action: Use Renewables Use renewables Use energy from sources that don't produce carbon emissions To find out more about renewable energy options for your home please read our Energy Efficient Homes Information Sheet (No. 13) Consider using energy from a renewable source or supplier Shift your energy use to night-time (off-peak periods) where possible (many appliances can be timed) Change your heating system to one that uses renewable energy , eg a heat pump or electric heating. But insulate your property first Install solar panels - if your property is suitable. Here are some questions to ask a solar panel installer. Renewable energy tariffs Most energy suppliers offer a renewable energy tariff. You can find more information at the Energy Saving Trust: Green Tariffs . Off-peak tariffs and time shifting Some renewable tariffs offer cheap electricity at off-peak times, typically for 4 to 6 hours overnight. However, the price can be higher than the standard tariff during the peak period and there is often a higher daily charge. You should consider these tariffs if you can use high-energy appliances (such as washing machines, dishwashers and immersion heaters) in the off-peak period. They are especially valuable if you own an Electric Vehicle. Heat pumps Home energy professional, Dave Green, installed an air source heat pump (ASHP) in his 1930's semi in Shrewsbury in 2021 as part of a staged home retrofit project. This webinar (1 hour 12 mins) tells you what he did and the economic and carbon benefits of doing so. You can see more videos about heat pump installation via the Heat Geeks playlist on heat pumps and other renewable technology. Solar panels This webinar (1 hour 20 mins), by s olar specialist, Gordon Coppock (a Member of the Institute of Physics), evaluates the costs versus benefits of solar PV and solar thermal, including how to maximise your energy savings. Here is a link to Energy Saving Trust’s new expert Guide to solar panels Woodburning stoves Jeremy Brignell-Thorp (a member of Lightfoot), discusses the pros and cons of burning wood , including the latest evidence about air pollution, and how to optimise the efficiency of log burning stoves in this webinar (1 hour 15 mins).

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