< Back Beavers finally arrive in the Old River Bed, Shrewsbury! Julie Howe 10 Feb 2025 Hooray! Shropshire Wildlife Trust has released the long-awaited beavers into the site prepared for them in the Old River Bed. The pair are reported to be settling in well, and the boardwalks at the site are now open for quiet visits. For more information on the benefits the beavers can provide for the ecosystem and for water management, visit the SWT website . See also an interesting BBC news report about the beavers, on their release day. Previous Next

< Back Shropshire and Telford Community Energy (STCE) take ownership of Twemlows solar farm Robert Saunders 11 Nov 2023 Bringing the benefits of solar power to Shropshire communities Congratulations to STCE on their good news - they can proceed with taking local ownership of Twemlows solar farm for the benefit of our community, generating funds for local projects whilst producing green electricity. STCE, together with partners in Community Energy Together, have negotiated an increased junior loan offer from Power to Change and Big Society Capital. Through their portfolio of five share offers on Ethex, they have collectively raised over £1.3 million. By bringing Twemlows and the other solar farms into community ownership, they will generate a collective community benefit fund of around £20 million over the next 18 years to support other green schemes in and around Shropshire and Telford. Previous Next

< Back Follow up webinar to the Accelerating Change conference on climate action for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin David Matthews 20 Nov 2024 Planning the next steps for the network On 20 November Shropshire Climate Action held the follow up webinar to the Accelerating Change conference on climate action for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin: to update on the progress made since the Accelerating Change conference which took place back in May to explore the next steps and opportunities to get involved in emerging projects to accelerate climate action in communities across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin to feedback on what local groups and communities need and how they can contribute to county-wide initiatives. The webinar identified a number of projects that could help collaboration and climate action across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, identified several volunteering opportunities. discussed how Shropshire Climate Action can support local environmental groups more effectively, and what local groups can bring to the table. You can view the presentation slides, a recording of the event, the feedback from the breakout groups, and find out how to volunteer here . Previous Next

< Back Local groups meet with Julia Buckley (Labour MP for Shrewsbury & Atcham) David Matthews 21 Jun 2025 Q&A focused on how we can better protect Nature and take climate action On Saturday 21 June, Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley joined a community Q&A about Climate and Nature issues at the Shropshire Wildlife Trust. The event was hosted by Zero Hour (the campaign for the Climate and Nature Bill), Better Shrewsbury Transport*, Up Sewage Creek and Shrewsbury Vegans. It was chaired by Richard Grindle, CEO of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust. Julia took questions from the audience on a range of topics including river pollution, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the North West Relief Road, factory farming, and nature loss. Jamie Russell from Zero Hour, who helped organise the event, says: ‘Julia was exceedingly generous with her time and fielded robust questions on a range of topics. She explained her desire to use her role on the Environmental Audit Committee** to push the Government to be bolder in its response to the Climate and Nature crisis, and agreed to join crossparty MPs who have signed the Early Day Motion in support of the Climate and Nature Bill .*** She also talked very powerfully about being shocked by a Parliamentary briefing from leading scientists about the devastating rate of change being witnessed in Antarctica. Over the next few months, Zero Hour will be supporting local residents in constituencies across the UK as they set up similar community Q&A events with their MPs to push them to prioritise the climate and nature crisis in all aspects of their work. If you’d like to be involved, get in touch at campaign@zerohour.uk ’. ***The Climate and Nature Bill returns to Parliament on 11 July. The Zero Hour campaign is asking residents to write to the Prime Minister ahead of this date asking him to give the Bill emergency debate time, as well as writing to your MP to request they sign the Early Day Motion on this much-needed Bill. Write to the PM to ask for debate time. Write to your MP about the Early Day Motion. Join Zero Hour at The Climate Coalition's mass lobby of MPs in Westminster on 9 July. *With reference to Shrewsbury, Julia is supporting the active travel initiatives associated with the Big Town Plan and better integration of rail and bus services. **Julia is a member of the Environment Audit Committee and pointed out that the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee (ESNZ) is more directly involved in plans to achieve net zero, so we should consider how to influence that committee too. Previous Next

< Back Net Zero Progress - How are we doing in Shropshire? - not well - a NWRR update Nancy Stewart 1 Mar 2025 How the North West Relief Road for Shrewsbury jeopardises Shropshire's climate commitments Shropshire Council risks tearing up its climate commitments as it continues to push for the construction of the proposed North West Relief Road (NWRR). Following a recent recalculation of the carbon emissions associated with the road, the planning officer has admitted this project will undermine the council's 2030 net zero targets. Building the NWRR contradicts the meaning of ‘emergency’ in the climate crisis. In recommending the NWRR be approved by the planning committee, the planning officer sought to downplay its impact by stating that although the additional emissions would burst through Shropshire’s carbon budget, compared to global emissions it would be a relatively small amount. The Council could shift to 2050 as a target for net zero, he said. The proposed NWRR scheme remains controversial ahead of May’s elections, with different candidates in favour or opposing it. Why not ask your prospective councillors what their views are? Market Drayton Climate Action has recently responded to a few of the arguments made in favour of the NWRR in response to the group raising these issues: Pro: ‘For Market Drayton residents using the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, the NWRR will provide a much quicker option than that offered at present. This would be particularly important during a medical emergency.’ Response: We would like to make an equally emotional appeal: that by hugely weakening our response to the climate emergency, we are going to be facing more medical emergencies in Market Drayton. Pro: To offset the carbon emissions of the NWRR ‘we are committing to the equivalent increase in carbon offsetting’. Response: Carbon offsets have a very dubious record and should never be used as an excuse for increasing dangerous emissions levels. Better Shrewsbury Transport comments: ‘We estimate that to absorb these emissions within ten years the council would need to plant around 1.4 million extra trees – and keep them alive.’ Pro: The NWRR will ‘deliver major reductions in traffic, congestion and air pollution in Shrewsbury and many surrounding villages, boost public transport, cycling and walking, and attract new jobs and investment into the county.’ Response: This is highly contestable: The UK Climate Change Committee says ‘“investment in roads should be contingent on analysis justifying how they contribute to the UK’s pathway to Net Zero” – not to investment in the economy. Shropshire Council’s own modelling shows the road would have a limited effect on congestion in the town centre – while some roads might see peak flow reductions of 1 in 4 cars, many town centre roads will see no improvement. Meanwhile, traffic will increase on other roads servicing the new route. There is well established evidence that, rather than reduce congestion, new roads actually create more traffic and fail to deliver the economic benefits claimed (e.g. CPRE, 2017). Shropshire Council has not fully investigated the potential to reduce congestion by supporting walking, cycling and public transport. The Big Town Plan Masterplan for Shrewsbury has outlined exactly how these alternative measures could work but Shropshire Council has not included this in its traffic modelling. The original planning application for this road received a record-breaking 5400 objections, with only 220 people supporting it. Shrewsbury Town Council opposes the project. The revised carbon figures point firmly to the right course of action – immediate abandonment of plans for the NWRR.You can read Shropshire Climate Action's original review of the proposed road here . Our position that Shropshire can't meet its climate commitments if the road is built remains unchanged Previous Next

< Back Oswestry Climate Action Hub (OsCAH) Sascha Robinson 1 Oct 2024 The community hub with a mission to "Make, Share, Grow, Repair" The Oswestry Climate Action Hub (OsCAH), based in the heart of the town centre at 36 Bailey Street, is transforming the local community by empowering residents with an endless supply of events and initiatives from mends and upcycling, to skill shares, to growing your own plants. Their mission is simple: "Make, Share, Grow, Repair". Talking to Hannah, one of the OsCAH organisers, it’s clear that they want to develop a community-driven group. As environmental concerns grow, it serves as a beacon of hope in the centre of Oswestry. When attending their ‘crafts and mend’ on Sunday afternoon, I met a handful of their regulars engrossed in activity. The fact that I can even say ‘regulars’ emphasises how welcoming the hub has become. People want to come back, again and again. Newcomers popped in throughout the afternoon, grabbing a cuppa and engaging in the session. In this space, you were allowed the time to learn and understand without judgement. I left feeling revitalized with the passion to ‘do more’, which is the important part of OsCAH: encouraging everyone to be more climate conscious whilst building a space welcome for all. Climate action shouldn’t weigh you down with the feeling that you aren’t doing enough; it should energise you. OsCAH intends for you to leave with a new climate conscious skill which you can pass on to those around you. OsCAH are currently raising funds to support the long-term future of the hub. If you are interested in finding out more please email communityoswestry@gmail.com Previous Next

< Back Having climate conversations with the people you know Julie Howe 1 May 2025 We are the 89% who want their Governments to take action on climate Recent research found that 89% of people across the world want their national governments to do more to fight global heating. In the UK the figure is a still remarkable 82.4%, across the political spectrum. You would never believe this, reading much of the popular press or standing on a Climate Action stall. You might blame long-standing, well-funded misinformation campaigns by the fossil fuel industry, or political posturing. So why - when almost 9 out of 10 people worldwide are united in wanting action to fight the Climate crisis -do we so often remain silent? Experts believe it is because they wrongly think only a minority share their views. We are social creatures, and research has shown we are hugely influenced by how we perceive others think. If we can challenge this self-fulfilling bubble of silence by making people aware that their pro-climate view is, in fact, by far the majority view, we can unlock a social tipping point and push leaders into the Climate action so urgently needed. So this month, why don’t we all join Market Drayton Group and raise the subject of Climate change in ONE conversation and be sure to make the point that across the globe 89% of people want more action from their governments. That would be over 1000 tiny pricks in the bubble of silence. Here are some useful guides to help you get started: Client Earth Talk Climate Change or watch a video here . Previous Next

< Back South Shropshire farmers working together for environmental benefit Kate Mayne 9 Jan 2024 Report from the Clee View Farmers Group In the Clee Hills area of South Shropshire a farmers group instigated by the local community is proving the benefit of working together. The Clee View Farmers Group was set up in June 2022 and currently has a membership of 57 farmers across 13,321 hectares. The group’s aim is to share learning and seek practical solutions to producing affordable food whilst dealing with environmental challenges such protecting & enhancing biodiversity and reducing emissions of carbon, phosphates, ammonia etc. Over the last year and a half the group has held events on herbal leys, rotational grazing systems, soil health and more. There have been talks on priority species, research into new biodiversity markets & even a debate about rewilding with WWF. The group has undertaken carbon foot-printing on 38 member farms and in 2024 will be working to understand the main Greenhouse Gas emissions from farm practices in the area and what can be done to reduce them. The group’s soil health testing programme in 2023 delivered some fascinating results and highlighted some real positives from current farming practices. For both arable and grassland samples from 54 farms the average organic matter content of soils was high & carbon stocks were above the national average. There is lots more work to do in 2024 as the group considers what can be done to enhance the nature recovery network whilst maintaining food production on our fertile soils. For more information please contact Kate Mayne: Katyjmayne@gmail.com Previous Next

< Back Is this the greenest house in Telford? Tony Baker and Fiona Morgan 17 Sept 2024 Hear how local home owner, Mike King, has created a carbon neutral home Telford resident, Mike King, is the proud owner of the largest domestic solar array in Shropshire, featuring a whopping 48 panels. Not only does Mike’s whole house – and 2 cars – run on green clean electricity - Mike actually makes money on his energy bills! You can hear Mike talking about the adaptations he has made to his property to make it carbon neutral on the BBC Radio Shropshire - Clare Ashford Show on the 17 September here . The interview is at 1 hour 53 mins and 2 hours 24 mins into the programme. You can read more about Mike’s inspiring home via the Future Ready Homes website . You can visit Mike’s house as part of the Green Open Doors event run by local charity Marches Energy Agency, which takes place over 2 weekends, 19–20 October and 26–27 October. The event is a wonderful opportunity to visit some of the ‘greenest’ homes across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and learn from their owners about: Air source heat pumps Solar panels with battery storage Extra insulation EV charging It’s your chance to ask questions of the homeowners to find out why they made the choices they did, and what they learned in the process. The event is free and there are no salesmen. It is the ideal opportunity to gain the confidence and understanding you need to start making energy efficiency improvements to your own home. Start planning your visits to ‘green’ homes near you by using the postcode search here . Previous Next

< Back Government Consultation on National Planning Policy affecting the climate crisis Jane Cullen 28 Feb 2023 Shropshire's climate action groups come together to respond to the consultation and the on-shore wind ban I n February SSCA convened a meeting with Zero Carbon Shropshire and representatives of other climate and environment groups in Shropshire (including Lightfoot Enterprises, CPRE Shropshire, Bishop’s Castle Climate Action Group, Share Energy, Shropshire and Telford Community Energy, Ludlow 21, Stretton Climate Care, Clun Climate and Environment Group) to discuss a response to the Government consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework Consultation , specifically on the topics covered under: Chapter 7 - Protecting the environment and tackling climate change; Chapter 8 - Onshore wind and energy efficiency. The deadline for the consultation is 2nd March. If you would like to see a copy of our response please email: SSCA@mea.org.uk Taking further action on the on-shore wind ban A response to the same Planning Consultation is an Open Letter from Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall and over 100 leading thinkers on energy and the environment to The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, calling on them to lift the on-shore wind ban in England – which has the power to address climate change, help the UK meet its net zero targets, and give us all greener, cheaper electricity. We have signed this letter along with other Shropshire climate action groups. The letter can be viewed on the We Are Possible website . You can take action via this link . Previous Next

< Back New sustainable fashion initiative in Oswestry Lizzie Dibble 1 Dec 2024 Borrow clothes from Oswestry Library Based in Oswestry, With Love From ... is on a mission to reduce the environmental and ethical impact of fashion. We are encouraging people to slow down in their shopping habits, repair, re-wear, share and care for the clothing that already exists. Currently, With Love From... is a community project but we are in the process of registering as a CIC. There is enough clothing on the planet to dress the next six generations. We started by creating a shared wardrobe in the town, encouraging people to donate items in exchange for points which can be spent within the shared wardrobe. On average, British women hoard £285 worth of unused clothing - this equates to over £34 million worth of unused purchases in Shropshire alone. Our shared wardrobe already holds more than 600 items. Since November we have started a very exciting collaborative project with Oswestry Library where library card holders will be able to borrow an outfit from our shared wardrobe, in the same way you might borrow a book! You can find out more on our website, or pop in to the library and you can pledge your support on our SpaceHive page . Previous Next

< Back Announcing the Climate Conference for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin: Saturday May 18th Fiona Morgan 21 Mar 2024 Book your tickets now for this event being held at Shrewsbury Town Football Ground You can now book your tickets to the Climate Conference which will focus on how we can accelerate action to achieve net zero in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and engage local communities to make that happen. The event is being organised by Zero Carbon Shropshire, South Shropshire Climate Action and Save Our Shropshire with support from young people on the Environmental Leadership Programme . The schedule for the day can be viewed on Eventbrite. It includes morning panel discussions and afternoon workshops covering the following themes: land, transport, energy & buildings, circular economy and engagement tools. Organisations are also invited to apply to have a stand at the event. Book your tickets via this Eventbrite link . There are 2 types of ticket: free tickets and a separate ticket option if you wish to make a donation towards the cost of refreshments. Lunch is provided. If your organisation would like to register an interest in having a stand at this event please complete and submit this online form . Charges apply. You can share a stand with other groups. We are looking for volunteers to get involved in helping to organise the event and on the day. If you are interested please contact admin@zerocarbonshropshire.org Previous Next