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Shropshire Climate Action: The Climate Emergency The Climate Emergency Shropshire’s temperature change since 1884 Ed Hawkins, University of Reading; Data: Met Office What is causing the c limate emergency and what are the impacts? Human activity since the industrial revolution has led to increased greenhouse gases (GHGs) which have caused a rapid increase in temperatures that now threatens life on earth. GHGs have increased from natural long-term peaks of 285 ppm (parts per million) to more than 450 ppm since the start of the industrial revolution. G lobal warming is changing the earth’s climate and the impact it has on the earth’s surface, both on land and sea, such as melting of the ice caps and thawing of frozen tundra. Whilst the climate represents atmospheric conditions measured over a long period of time (at least 30-year averages), the weather is our experience of atmospheric conditions at a given point in time. The growth of extreme weather conditions (both in terms of frequency and intensity) is also an indicator of climate change taking place. We’ve also doubled our use of resources and now consume over twice the sustainable resource use limit for life on the planet. The destruction of the natural environment has wiped out more than half of life on Earth since 1970. We’ve lost soils, forests and wetlands that kept CO2 in check, further accelerating global heating. Compared to less developed nations, the footprint of the western world is huge – and the roots of the problem lie here in Shropshire, birthplace of the industrial revolution. How can we respond? Responding to climate change includes two linked processes: Mitigation: r educing GHG emissions (achieving “net zero”) is needed to stop the earth’s atmosphere warming to an extent that irreversible damage may be done to human society and the natural world, ideally (but increasingly unlikely) to less than 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial atmospheric temperatures, and Adaptation: taking measures to address the effects of climate change on human society and Nature is required because climate change is already having an impact, whether via drought, localised flooding, heatwaves or through pests and diseases, affecting our housing and transport infrastructure, food production and the natural environment, and also human health and well-being. Find out what the climate crisis means for Shropshire: How to achieve Zero Carbon Britain Watch this video from the Centre for Alternative Technology which looks at how to achieve Zero Carbon Britain using today’s technology, while helping nature thrive.

< Back Green Shropshire Xchange Chris Deaves 31 Mar 2025 A decade of achievement GSX has now merged with Shropshire Climate Action: we reflect here on the achievements and legacy over more than a decade. A Big Green Gathering was held in Church Stretton in 2012 to launch the new Environmental network, Green Shropshire Xchange (GSX). The main aims were to support actions on Climate change and other issues to protect the environment. GSX joined the board of the Voluntary Community Sector Assembly) as the Environmental Forum and with lottery funds was able to give seed-corn grants to small local projects. Big Green Gatherings were regular events to help campaigners to network GSX contributed to local action on Energy, Transport and Local Food, including setting up an Energy subgroup which worked with the Marches LEP Energy Strategy team, Marches Energy Agency and council climate teams. In 2017 a further lottery fund allowed more grants for projects and also a new website. Big Green Gatherings in the late 20teens resulted in GSX helping to set up Shropshire Against Pointless Plastics. GSX produced a Climate Action Guide to help local people make changes. In 2024 Zero Carbon Shropshire held a Climate Conference and agreed to set up Shropshire Climate Action (SCA) to replace ZCS and SSCA. GSX steering group reviewed their role and agreed to merge with SCA. Thanks to all those who were involved with GSX, especially the chairs over the years: David Currant, Tony Green and Rob Saunders. Previous Next

Energy & Buildings Motivation The UK is committed to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, to address global warming. We have set ourselves an ambitions local target to achieve this by 2030. But, as we've seen, energy prices have increased. We can all benefit by making sure that our homes use as little energy as possible. Liu, Z., Deng, Z., Davis, S.J. et al. Monitoring global carbon emissions in 2021 Nat Rev Earth Environ 3, 217–219 (2022) How can you save? It's best to plan for three stages: Reduce consumption : Short-term fixes that cut your bills immediately and reduce emis sions. Improve efficiency : Investing in increased insulation and energy efficient appliances to get a long-term return. Shift to renewable energy : a combination of low-carbon heating (probably a heat pump), buying energy from a renewable supplier, time shifting to off-peak, and possibly installing solar panels. Advice, assistance and funding Many of the energy-saving measures presented on this site have reasonably short time payback period. If you can afford them they will pay for themselves. ECO 4 grants have been available for those eligible, including people on benefits. The most recent ECO Plus grants will be available to anyone in poorly insulated (EPC D or below) houses in council tax bands A to D. They are not means tested. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides grants of £5,000 towards the installation of a heat pump. Contact your local group or MEA for advice. Meet with an energy advisor. Other on-line resources Energy Saving Trust ...

< Back Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s visit to Bishop’s Castle’s wind turbine public meeting in April Mike Watkins 1 Apr 2023 Lightfoot (members of SSCA 's network) show their support for the development of the Bishop's Castle Heat Network At a public meeting in Bishop’s Castle this month, called to report on the progress of the projected Wind-Turbine-powered Bishop’s Castle’s Community Heat & Wind Network , over 70 people responded to Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s request for a show of hands to vote on the authenticity of the climate crisis, the use of on-shore Wind-Turbines as one means of countering it and, specifically, on whether a Wind Turbine should be used for BC’s Community Heat & Wind Network . There was an overwhelmingly positive response to all his questions, with only a few dissenting or undecided. Hugh proffered an opportunity to those unconvinced or unsure to join his team to visit and learn from other renewable energy projects that will be covered as part of the Channel 4 documentary, which is to be screened in the autumn. The Heat and Wind network, designed by Sharenergy and Carbon Alternatives with funding from Shropshire & Telford Community Energy , would supply heat from an air-source heat pump powered by a Wind Turbine, which could be pumped to at least 100 houses in the Town as well as the Community College, the SpArC Leisure Centre and Enterprise House. The Heat Network would not be financially viable without the Wind Turbine. The scheme would result in a massive reduction in carbon emissions for the Town – which has an above average carbon footprint, dependent, as it is, on oil and LPG heating - and enable people to get rid of their boilers and oil tanks. A response is awaited from Shropshire Council to a pre-planning application for the Wind Turbine. A FAQs document about the scheme can be accessed via this link . To find out more about the project please e-mail: climateaction@lightfootenterprises.org Previous Next

< Back SSCA's Objection to the North West Relief Road Design Amendments Jane Cullen 10 Mar 2023 Our response to Shropshire Council's NWRR consultation On behalf of South Shropshire Climate Action we are registering our objection to the North West Relief Road, in all its iterations. The planning application will clearly lead to irreversible loss of highly valuable greenfield sites and habitats at a time when nature and many different species are already severely challenged. The NWRR creates further massive issues including the risks to Shrewsbury's water supply, the likelihood of overspend and the resulting financial impact on the whole of the county which will suffer further cuts to other budgets (a county already undergoing £50 million cuts), and the negation of local democracy for example in the overriding of Town Council objections including Shrewsbury Town Council itself. Planning Application 21/00924/EIA embodies a profound contradiction of all current climate mitigation, the contradiction of Shropshire Council's recently announced support for the Climate and Ecology Bill as well as all the work that is going on in the county to educate and help communities face the climate emergency. We also note that the application is presented without scientific analysis of the carbon impact of the lifetime of the road and so appears to be a 'vanity project' running counter to the interests of Shrewsbury and the whole county of Shropshire. Planning Application 21/00924/EIA should be rejected on multiple counts, many not even touched on in this brief objection such as health, public transport and air pollution. Submitted on behalf of South Shropshire Climate Action. Previous Next

< Back Net Zero Progress - How are we doing in Shropshire? David Matthews 3 Feb 2025 Report on progress in Shropshire county We often get questions about whether the county is making progress on reducing its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. While GHG savings can be measured for, say, a household or an organisation (using carbon footprinting tools), and there are some general estimates available of the impacts of particular actions (e.g. not driving a petrol car) based on academic research, there is no easy way of calculating a figure for the county bottom-up. However, we can use the data provided by the Department for Energy and Net Zero which are calculated top-down, with Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin apportioned a percentage of the UK emissions based on their geography and characteristics. The progress chart for Green House Gas emissions for Shropshire, Telford& Wrekin displayed (the government reports can be found here . To keep within our carbon budget and to around 1.5C of warming, we need to get to an average of approximately 2.5t per individual in the UK by 2030 so are not currently on track to do that. The Centre for Sustainable Energy and Exeter University have created a very useful data visualisation tool, Impact, which allows you to look at household emissions within geographical boundaries (parishes, local authority areas, etc). For more details, see: Impact Previous Next

< Back Shropshire Council's plans for the North West Relief Road (NWRR) continue Fiona Morgan 1 Mar 2023 End the de facto ban on on-shore wind Shropshire Council has submitted 100 new planning documents for the NWRR to try and allay some of the concerns raised by statutory consultees such as the Environment Agency and Natural England in response to the first planning application (2021). However, according to Better Shrewsbury Transport, the revisions do not address any of the fundamental issues with the road which includes the destruction of wildlife habitat including ancient trees and vital hedgerows and the production of at least 50,000 tonnes of carbon. Moreover the revisions have increased the total area of land affected by the road by 40%. Shropshire Council is planning to spend at least £87 million, plus an unlimited overspend on constructing the NWRR. This is despite a recent Shropshire Council budget consultation asking for views on how to make £50 million in savings. A new round of public consultation is open if you wish to comment on the revised NWRR plans: you can email planning.northern@shropshire.gov.uk using the planning application reference no. 21/00924/EIA in the Subject and make sure you include your name and address or comment via the Shropshire Council Planning portal or use the online form found on the Road To Ruin Shropshire website The deadline for comments is 11 March 2023. However, Better Shrewsbury Transport hope that emails will be taken into account until the planning officers submit their report in May 2023. For more information about the history of the road and campaign please see the Better Shrewsbury Transport website. Meanwhile in Wales.... The Welsh Government following the review of their National Transport Plan has made the decision to scrap all major road building projects in Wales and ensure all future roads must pass a strict criteria including that they must not increase carbon emissions. Read the full article by Teleri Glyn Jones in the BBC online (published 14/2/23) here . Previous Next

Shropshire Climate Action: Taking action Taking action! The impacts of the climate crisis will affect everyone living on the planet The scale of action required can feel overwhelming. “Climate doom” is where we don’t take action because we think it’s a problem we can’t solve, compared with “climate denial”, where we don’t take action because we don’t think there is a problem. However, although politicians, businesses and other institutions have a critical role to play, it is important to realise that we can all take meaningful action. The more each of us does, the more impact it will have. This website shows what can be done at home and work, by individuals, communities and councils, to reduce carbon emissions and protect nature. Individual choices Green Your Money Community actions Town & Parish Councils Schools & Youth Groups Local businesses Local Lobbying Eco anxiety

Shropshire Climate Action: Nature walks leaflets Shropshire Nature Walks leaflets South Shropshire Climate Action, in conjunction with local wildlife groups and libraries, produced a series of Nature Walks leaflets and posters for Shropshire towns, d esigned and illustrated by Sarah Jameson , a South Shropshire artist - we hope you like them! These leaflets can be downloaded below along with posters containing the same information. Bridgnorth Walk Download the Bridgnorth walk leaflet Download the Bridgnorth walk poster Ludlow Walk Download the Ludlow walk leaflet Download the Ludlow walk poster

Shropshire Climate Action: Climate action groups in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Local Climate Action Groups Find a Climate Action Group near you Many communities across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin have a local climate action group which may provide various types of support including information, advice, events and drop ins on how to reduce your carbon emissions and get involved in taking climate and nature action. See the full list below. To find out more about what local groups are doing you can also sign up to our monthly newsletters here . If your group has an event you want to advertise, please send the details to our communications group by clicking on this link . Light Foot Enterprises C/o Enterprise House, Station Street, Bishops Castle, SY9 5AQ. Covers Bishop's Castle & surrounding area Mail Click for information Clun Climate & Environment Group Clun Town Council with Chapel Lawn Mail Click for information Market Drayton Climate Action Market Drayton & surrounding area Mail Click for information Pontesbury Climate Emergency Action Group Pontesbury Parish Mail Click for information St Martin’s Parish Council Climate Action Working Group St Martins Village Hall, Shropshire, SY11 3AY. Mail Click for information Transition Telford Meetings held 1st Tuesday of the month at the Cock Hotel, 148 Holyhead Road, Wellington, TF1 2DL. Mail Click for information Sustainable Bridgnorth Meetings held at St John's Catholic Church Hall, Northgate, Bridgnorth, WV16 4ER. Mail Click for information Clunbury Climate & Environment Group Covers Parish of Clunbury Mail Click for information Sustainable Newport Covers Newport & surrounding area (around TF10 postcode) Mail Click for information Shrewsbury Friends of the Earth Shrewsbury Mail Click for information Stretton Climate Care Drop in sessions held at the Health and Wellbeing Centre, Church Stretton, SY6 6BL. Mail Click for information Teme Valley Environment Group Knighton & surrounding area Mail Click for information Broseley Climate Action Group Bridgnorth Town Council, Broseley, TF12 5EL. Mail Click for information Ludlow 21 C/o Ludlow Mascall Centre, Lower Galdeford, Ludlow, SY8 1RZ. Covers Ludlow & surrounding area Mail Click for information Oswestry Climate Action Hub 36 Bailey Street, Oswestry, SY11 1PU Mail Click for information XR Shrewsbury (Extinction Rebellion) Meetings held Wednesdays monthly at the Nags Head, 22 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury, SY1 1XB. Mail Click for information Climate Action Hub Telford Events held at Belmont Hall, Tan Bank, Wellington,TF1 1LT. Mail Click for information Wem Area Climate Action Wem & surrounding area Mail Click for information

< 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