Grant offers financial help to voluntary groups to tackle carbon emissions

Updated: 21 July 2021

Voluntary groups in Three Rivers are being invited to apply for funding for projects that will help tackle the climate emergency.

Voluntary groups in Three Rivers are being invited to apply for funding for projects that will help tackle the climate emergency.

Three Rivers District Council declared a Climate Emergency in April 2019 and adopted a Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy in May 2021 that seeks to make Three Rivers District Council’s own operations carbon neutral by 2030 and the district’s emissions neutral by 2045. But for the district to reach carbon neutrality, it needs the help of its residents.

The council, working with Watford and Three Rivers Trust, has created a Sustainability Fund to enable voluntary sector organisations to apply for grants of up to £1,500 for projects working to reduce, mitigate or adapt to the impact of climate change and/or enhance sustainability in the district. This includes where groups are trying to tackle their own emissions or sustainability.

Cllr Phil Williams, the council’s Lead Member for Environmental Services, Climate Change and Sustainability, said: “This grant will help to support our residents who are already doing amazing things around the district, whether this be to reduce waste, aid biodiversity and species protection, assisting with protecting our waterways, or addressing how the climate emergency may impact our community in the future.”

Following the adoption of its Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy, Three Rivers District Council is currently developing a detailed action plan with specific steps that will be taken. Meanwhile, the council continues to work hard to reduce its own emissions and support residents in making changes necessary for the district to be net-zero carbon by 2045.

Recent actions include piloting a reduced mowing regime, running a Green Homes Grant scheme for qualifying residents to claim up to £10,000 to improve the efficiency of their homes, and supporting the  Save Our Streams  campaign to protect our chalk streams.

Applications are considered on an ongoing basis once they are received by W3RT CVS. For further information about the fund or for a copy of the application form and guidance notes, please visit the  Watford and Three Rivers Trust website  or email cvs@w3rt.org

Download the Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy here: https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/egcl-page/climate-change

For more information on Green Homes Grants and to apply visit:

https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/egcl-page/green-homes-grant