Please find below the latest Climate Newsletter:
Tuesday 14th June 2022
News
Ground-breaking natural flood management scheme now complete
A first-of-its-kind natural flood management project at the Brownlee Triathlon Centre in Adel has been completed, helping to reduce the future flood risk to 1,048 homes and 474 businesses. Natural flood management techniques not only slow the flow of water caused by heavy rain, but also capture carbon and provide habitat that helps local wildlife thrive. The site will also function as a ‘living lab’ for teaching and research at the University of Leeds.
Learn more about natural flood management and the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme
More than a thousand residents will benefit from warmer, greener ‘back-to-back' homes
750 council houses across five wards are to be fitted with external wall insulation, new roofs, and other efficiency upgrades worth £11.8m. The new scheme is part of the council’s commitment to invest £100m improving the energy efficiency of social housing by 2025. The measures will reduce damp, make homes warmer and help residents save energy.
Learn more about the new scheme.
Growing popularity of low carbon heat networks in Leeds
SSE energy has announced plans to construct a £25m district heating network that will heat businesses in the area using energy recovered from waste at a new Skelton Grange facility currently under construction.
Read more about SSE Energy’s new district heating network.
Separately, Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust has announced plans to connect even more buildings to the council’s Leeds PIPES district heating network as part of a wider package of decarbonisation and efficiency measures. The growing Leeds PIPES network supplies connected buildings with reliable, affordable and low carbon heat using energy recovered from Leeds’ non-recyclable household waste.
Learn more about how the Trust is reducing carbon emissions.
Opportunities
What are you doing for Clean Air Day 2022?
At least 5.7% of all deaths each year in Leeds can be linked to air pollution making it one of the largest environmental risks to our health. Events are taking place across the city to mark Clean Air Day and raise awareness of how we can all play our part to improve air quality. Connecting Leeds have put together a round-up of community events happening throughout the week including an art showcase, a mindful organised canal walk, a contemporary dance performance and a number of Bike Register events for staff and pupils at schools across Leeds.
Find a local event and get involved.
£1 million funding opportunity for innovative solutions to boost reusable packaging use
Research from Hubbub and Starbucks has found that inconvenience, hygiene concerns and cost are key barriers to the use of reusable packaging in the UK food and drink sector. They’ve launched a new scheme to fund innovative project ideas that can demonstrate measurable impact at removing barriers to reusable packaging for users and businesses. Grants of up to £300,000 are available for up to 5 projects nationally which help shift people’s habits and ultimately reduce waste. Apply online for the Bring It Back Fund before the 24th June.
Take part in research: how are energy prices affecting your household?
A University of Leeds researcher, working on behalf of the Environment Agency, is researching the local impact of recent changes to the energy price cap. The work aims to provide a better understanding of whether the changes will influence household energy consumption and may identify how best to support householders.
Leeds residents can take part by completing an anonymous online survey before the 24th June.
Climate Emergency Advisory Committee
If you would like to have your say in a future CEAC meeting, please get in touch.
Contact climate.emergency@leeds.gov.uk and include “Open Forum” in the subject line for more information.