Eighteen exciting climate change projects are underway throughout the local authority thanks to funding from Renfrewshire Council’s Community Climate Fund.
A huge £50,000 has been allocated for community organisations to develop localised, green projects and initiatives to encourage participation and raise awareness of the climate emergency within neighbourhoods.
Initiatives have been designed and are being delivered by local residents, but supported by the council through its Ren Zero campaign – and up to £3,000 was available for each project.
The Finding Your Feet charity has transformed an area of unused waste ground into a community garden with raised beds to grow vegetables, herbs and flowers; fruit trees; an outdoor gym and play equipment.
Founder of the organisation Cor Hutton and the amputees at the charity who are called ‘Troopers’ wanted to create an area that anyone at the facility could use to relax, play and have a break if they wanted to.
Speaking to the Paisley Express Cor said: “The garden is an ongoing project for us.
“What this money has allowed us to do is to make the next step in improving the garden and enable the charities [which share our St James Street hub] to see what it can do.
“An urban garden can do wonders for your mental health.
“We are so grateful to everyone who wants to help us out with it.”
Bonnie Bishopton have established their own community garden with sustainable plants and shrubs, as well as a sensory garden within the nursery which includes new benches made from recycled milk bottles.
Kirklandneuk Primary School Parent Council’s ‘Mon the Weans, ‘Mon the Bees, ‘Mon the Community!’ project has used the cash to create an outdoor space for food growing and biodiversity, with the area prepped and planted ahead of the growing season.
Similarly, Renfrewshire Rainbow Buddies Little and Large Explorers have started a new garden with planters and benches, as well as trikes, bikes and a pull-along wagon.
The Sewing2gether All Nations – ‘Repair Make Do & Mend’ project transforms clothes in need of repair and promotes the reusing of items and reducing of waste.
It provides members with home sewing kits to allow them to practice their new skills, which they are also encouraged to share with friends and family.
The Howwood Park pavilion has also benefited from the green fund, having been fitted with attic insulation, LED internal lights and low energy heaters to reduce its carbon emissions and energy usage.
Councillor Jim Paterson, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s planning and climate change policy board, said: “As we work towards becoming net zero by 2030, it’s important that we all work together to achieve this aim – from local communities and businesses to larger organisations and us as a council.
“Every action, however small, has an impact on our environment and our emissions so it’s great to see local communities making positive changes in their areas and I’m glad we’ve been able to provide £50,000 of funding for local people to use.
“The 18 funded projects are all underway and already making a difference and I’m looking forward to seeing their progression throughout this year.”
Funding for the Community Climate Fund was provided from the council’s £1million Climate Change Action Fund, which aims to fund innovative projects and initiatives developed in response to the climate emergency.
Around £100,000 of the fund has been set aside for business grants to support enterprise to reach their net zero ambitions.
A further £258,000 has been set aside to fund electric vehicles in the council fleet.
The projects form part of the first phase of Renfrewshire’s plan for net zero which focuses on five key themes including clean energy, sustainable transport, circular economy and connected communities.
The plan was created through engagement with local residents and the Climate Panel, surveying of local businesses, and engaging with partners, stakeholders and COP26 ambassadors to ensure that the design and delivery of the plan was a collaborative approach.
For more information on Renfrewshire’s Net Zero campaign and the area’s climate ambitions, visit the council website at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/climatechange.
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