"Banner with the Wakefield Council Climate Action logo and green animated landscape with the text: "Better for you and the planet"

Newsletter issue 5 - August 2023

Low carbon energy systems running in public buildings
Councillor Jack Hemingway standing in front of a control panel for the heating system, resting his hand on a red storage tank
Three public buildings are running on green energy after a £2.66m investment. Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) and solar panels have been fitted in Airedale Library and Children's Centre, Stanley Library and Community Centre and Normanton Swimming Pool. The ASHPs are expected to save around 2,700 tonnes of carbon over their lifetime. Other improvements have been made to the buildings, like insulation and LED lighting. £1m towards the project came from the Government's Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS). Wakefield Council is preparing more bids to the fund for decarbonising buildings.

Community grants for climate projects
person watering plants in a vertical garden made of recycled bottles
Grants will be available soon to help communities become greener, cleaner and healthier. The Mayor of West Yorkshire and Wakefield Council are working with Nova Wakefield District to provide grants of between £5,000 and £50,000. They'll be available to community groups, charities and social enterprises. Find out more and register your interest.

Schools complete climate relay
A group of children waving arms and holding a banner with the words save our world
58 schools in the Wakefield district came together for a climate relay covering nearly 50 miles in 10 days. They wanted to raise awareness of their petition for zero carbon schools and were supported by the council. Every school carried a unique green heart and they're now on display in Wakefield Cathedral, along with the specially carved relay baton.

Cycle Wakefield website launches
The words Cycle Wakefield new website launch and a graphic of an open laptop showing an image of the website home page.
Cycle Wakefield is a new website aimed at supporting people in the district who want to get on their bike. It has advice, routes, events and more. Cycle Wakefield is a partnership including the council, Wakefield District Cycle Forum, Sustrans, Open Country and others.

Green News

Wakefield District Net Zero Partnership

After the first Net Zero Summit held in Wakefield district in March, the council is continuing to build a Net Zero Partnership of organisations, businesses and community groups. We're holding targeted workshops on specific topics and expect to agree on an action plan next year.
image of adult pushing child on swing with the words we're listening, next to the words parks users survey 2023, share your views and help us improve our parks, on a green background

Park Users' Survey 2023

This year's Park Users' Survey is live. It helps us understand how you like to use your local park, and what is important to you. Previous surveys have told us you think they're important places to connect with nature, and we've invested in habitats for wildlife. Complete the survey here.
A number of books on the subject of gardening around a metal box with the words seeds containing seed packets

Wakefield Libraries' seed swap scheme

Wakefield district libraries have started a 'seed swap' scheme - just take in unused, in-date packets to swap. Out-of-date, part-used and damaged packets can be donated as well. The council's climate change team, who funded the scheme, hope it will help people grow their own fruit and veg and improve biodiversity in gardens.
image of an inhaler with the words don't bin your inhalers, return them to your community pharmacy

Dispose of inhalers correctly

Return used inhalers to your local pharmacy so they can be disposed of properly. Used inhalers often have some gas left in, and while it's safe to use it can harm the environment if the canister bursts in landfill. They can't be recycled so shouldn't go in your bins at home.
close up of bicycle with foot on a pedal, riding along a track at sunset or sunrise

Funding to make cycling and walking easier

Wakefield Council has successfully bid for £2.8m to make it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle. The funding from the Government will allow improvements to paths in Ackworth, Fitzwilliam and Outwood.
Wildflowers on a roadside verge

More wildflower meadows

The council has created 16,000 square metres of wildflower meadows in parks and on roadside verges, and more are planned. This one in Stanley was planted just in spring. Meadows provide habitats and food for insects, birds and mammals. Read more on where they are and how we're looking after them.
adult standing in front of wooden shelves with refillable bottles in various sizes

Support to help businesses go green

The West Yorkshire Mayor's £10m Business Sustainability Support fund can help small and medium-sized businesses cut their energy use and combat the effects of climate change. Find out more.
hand painted sign that reads love our planet

Have you made changes to tackle the climate crisis?

We want to hear from Wakefield district residents and businesses who have made changes to their lifestyle or operation in the face of the climate emergency. We want to show the benefits of being green and inspire people to cut their own carbon footprint. If you'd like to tell your story, please email us. 

On our radar

This month's good, green idea
Take advantage of the warmer, drier weather and lighter nights and walk or cycle short journeys instead of taking the car. Burn calories, not carbon, and help us all breathe cleaner air.

Save the date
  • Love Parks Week - 28 July-6 August
  • Cycle to Work Day - 3 August
  • Cycle September
  • Recycle Week - 16-22 October
Got a question or want to know more? climateaction@wakefield.gov.uk
 

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