< 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 Shropshire's Green Libraries Week Fiona Morgan 6 Oct 2023 SSCA's information stand at Ludlow Library SSCA volunteer Robin Grimmett managed our stand at Ludlow library on the 6th October. We showcased information from groups across Shropshire on how people can take action to reduce their carbon emissions and support Nature including: our Retrofit Toolkit produced in partnership with Stretton Climate Care our Walk Through Ludlow’s Green Spaces leaflet produced with Shropshire Wildlife Trust Ludlow branch Zero Carbon Shropshire’s leaflets providing tips on the climate action people can take Save Our Shropshire’s carbon literacy workshops Marches Energy Agency leaflets on energy efficient homes and Restoring Shropshire’s Verges Project on how to turn roadside verges into wildlife friendly meadows. We will have a permanent display of leaflets at Ludlow Library and hope to develop similar links with other libraries across the county so that people can gain access to useful information on how they can take climate action. Previous Next

< Back Save Our Shropshire to deliver low-carbon education for businesses for Shropshire Chamber of Commerce Richard Watkins 30 Apr 2024 SME's can book now on SOS's carbon literacy courses in June and July Previous Next

Sustainable Bridgnorth Contact us on Facebook Contact us via Email Sustainable Bridgnorth encourages residents, businesses, and organizations around Bridgnorth to take steps towards environmental sustainability, including water conservation, waste reduction, and working towards Net Zero. It aims to empower the local community to adapt to the effects of climate change and promote positive attitudes towards the environment. It's current main activities are: Energy Reduction: Volunteers from Sustainable Bridgnorth offer advice, in collaboration with the Marches Energy Agency charity, to local residents and businesses on how they might reduce their energy use, thereby saving money as well as reducing carbon emissions. We hold advisory sessions once a month at Bridgnorth Library (as publicised in their events sheet) and on a couple of Mondays each month at Bridgnorth Food Bank (held at the Baptist church on West Castle Street). It's best to contact us by email at energyadvice@sustainablebridgnorth.org.uk to book an appointment, either at an advisory session or at your home. We give advice on quick steps to reduce energy usage, how to improve insulation and energy efficiency in your home and on available grants. We also have an Infra-Red camera to help identify areas of heat loss. We are looking for more volunteers to be trained as energy advisors. Prevent Pointless Plastic: Running since 2018, this campaign has raised awareness of the issue of single-use plastic in the town, to reduce waste generated and plastic pollution of the River Severn, in addition to inspiring people and businesses to seek out re-usable products, re-use systems and recycling. It has involved local businesses, residents and church and school groups on projects such as Refill Bridgnorth . The town was accredited in 2020 by the marine conservation charity, Surfers Against Sewage, as a Plastic Free Community . Contact us via Facebook . How to join : contact the membership secretary at membership@sustainablebridgnorth.org.uk .

Our local partner groups Sustainable Bridgnorth Exotic Urbanism Misty Mountains

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