Yearly Archives: 2019

SLDC visit gives insight into community energy

Cabinet members and senior officers from South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) had an opportunity to see the possibilities of community energy at an event organised by CAfS. The group, including the leader of the council and the directors of housing and planning, visited the community energy installation at James Cropper PLC in Burneside on Tuesday 23 April. They also heard how community-owned renewables could be a game-changer for new housing developments in South Lakeland. The visit began with a presentation by Phil Davies from CAfS on how the community-owned solar PV installation at James Cropper PLC came about. Phil [...]

By |2019-05-01T17:06:18+01:00May 1st, 2019|Community energy, News|

CAfS staff sharing expertise on industry panels

Two members of the CAfS team are helping to scrutinise sustainability and inclusivity at Electricity North West and the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP). Phil Davies, our low carbon development manager, has been invited to join the new Places sub-group of the CLEP. Phil will scrutinise and advise on the sustainability and carbon impact of CLEP initiatives, along with projects it funds. Phil is also a member of the sustainability board for Electricity North West, where he’ll assess proposals to decarbonize its operations and its external engagement with consumers, to help ensure they are sustainable and inclusive. Andrew Northcott, [...]

By |2019-05-01T15:58:12+01:00May 1st, 2019|News|

South Lakes MP has light bulb moment with CAfS

A householder who took up our draughtproofing and energy-saving advice service in April was treated to a parliamentary privilege. Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, joined CAfS for a LEAP energy advice visit to Margaret from Kendal. Tim wanted to see first hand how this national service is benefiting residents, delivered in South Lakeland by CAfS, thanks to support from South Lakeland District Council. Margaret received tips on ways to keep her home warmer and we fitted low-energy LED bulbs and radiator reflector panels to bring her electricity and heating bills down - all free of charge. Andrew [...]

By |2019-05-01T14:36:58+01:00May 1st, 2019|Home energy efficiency, News|

Electricity North West is headline sponsor for Green Build Festival

We’re thrilled to announce our headline sponsor for this year’s Cumbria Green Build and Sustainable Living Festival. Electricity North West will be supporting our flagship annual programme of events, now in its 14th year. It’s a key year for our region’s electricity network operator, following the launch of its new plan to help the North West to decarbonise and pave the way for the growth of renewable energy. “From electric vehicles to renewable energy, Electricity North West has such a crucial part to play in the drive towards a zero carbon Cumbria, so we are delighted to be working [...]

By |2019-05-02T17:22:07+01:00May 1st, 2019|News|

CAfS trustee publishes new book on tackling climate change

Congratulations to our trustee Mike Berners-Lee on the publication of his new book, There is No Planet B: A Handbook for the Make or Break Years. The book is a superb overview of the big picture of climate change: what’s going on and what is required for humans to thrive in the Anthropocene – the epoch of human dominance on the planet. It strikes a great balance between being accessible and entertaining whilst being serious and robust. Mike deftly brings together the multi-disciplinary global perspective with the practicalities of who can do what to bring about the system changes [...]

By |2019-05-02T17:25:35+01:00May 1st, 2019|News|

Cumbrian leaders pledge to work together to tackle climate change

Senior leaders from key organisations in Cumbria have met at the county’s first leaders’ summit on climate change, to plan how they can play their part in tackling climate change. The 27 CEOs and chairs from businesses, local authorities and the voluntary sector acknowledged climate change as a key issue demanding urgent action. They outlined their organisations’ ambitions and high-level targets for reducing carbon emissions, and agreed to develop a coordinated Cumbria-wide approach. “There was a phenomenal response to the summit,” said Hazel Graham, chief executive of CAfS, who organised and chaired the event on behalf of the Lake [...]

By |2019-05-02T17:30:42+01:00May 1st, 2019|News|

Children show us the way at Cumbrian youth climate summit

Ninety young people and their teachers from thirty Cumbrian schools came together in April for the county's first youth summit on climate change. Organised by the head teacher from Robert Ferguson School in Carlisle, it was a moving and uplifting event that gave young people a chance to voice their concerns about climate change and other environmental issues. CAfS chief executive Hazel Graham went along to take part in a question panel and to listen to young people’s views and the actions they want to see. “It’s so obvious that young people have a good grasp of the science [...]

By |2019-05-02T17:38:15+01:00April 30th, 2019|News|

CAfS supports exciting Fellfoot Forward project

CAfS is taking part in an exciting landscape programme that will benefit communities in the north east of Cumbria. We’ve been asked to share our expertise on improving the energy efficiency of community buildings and supporting community energy, as part of the Fellfoot Forward project. The project aims to “forge creative connections between people and landscape, conserve habitats and key species and celebrate this beautiful area with its communities”. The area stretches along the Cumbrian side of the North Pennines AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark, reaching out as far west as the River Eden, and running north from Melmerby [...]

By |2019-05-02T17:42:35+01:00April 30th, 2019|Community energy, News|

Students launch youth climate network for Cumbria

Two students from Cockermouth have set up a new network for young people in Cumbria who want to help prevent climate change. The group, UK Student Climate Network (UKSCN) Cumbria, has three main aims, to: reduce the use of single-use plastics and other non-reusable materials in schools discuss the impacts of the proposed new coal mine with the community and Cumbria County Council, and encourage them to take the necessary steps to prevent it going ahead pressurize Cumbria County Council to declare a climate emergency Students from several schools across the county have already joined the group. The organisers, [...]

By |2019-04-26T17:54:50+01:00April 26th, 2019|News|

Food-growing plans for Alston Moor take root after drop-ins

A community orchard and a community farm have emerged as the tastiest options for food growing on Alston Moor, after residents shared their views at drop-ins organized by CAfS in April. The two sessions at Alston Town Hall attracted a constant flow of people who are keen to see opportunities for community food growing. The consultation was part of the Alston Moor Greenprint, run by CAfS and funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. “The consensus is that there’s real enthusiasm to get community growing projects up and running, as opposed to private allotments,” said Roe Baker, Greenprint manager. [...]

By |2019-05-30T15:01:32+01:00April 26th, 2019|Alston Moor Greenprint, Food|
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