Month: October 2022

  • 1000 people trained in carbon literacy milestone!

    1000 people trained in carbon literacy milestone!

    Over 1000 people have developed their understanding of the climate crisis thanks to our hugely successful carbon literacy training!

    Our carbon literacy courses began in September 2019 and we have held over 85 climate training courses since then: reaching individuals and organisations across the County. And thanks to a link with the Carbon Literacy Project around half of those have been accredited. This success has been recognised by the Carbon Literacy Project who featured CAfS in their 10th anniversary celebration of 10 stories for 10 years of Carbon Literacy. 

    Carbon literacy training is recognised as an important tool in our zero carbon ambitions for Cumbria, helping people and organisations to see the science behind the climate emergency and to recognise practical ways that they can reduce their own carbon footprint. Our courses range from the full days accredited course to bespoke shorter courses, all of which include use of a carbon footprint calculator.   We also work hard to ensure that they are available to everyone, offering a ‘pay what you can afford’ for some courses, and partnering with Going Green Together to offer half price courses to voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations.

    Anyone interested in signing up for our Carbon Literacy training – or finding out more – should email: [email protected]. 

  • Award shortlist for energy team

    Award shortlist for energy team

    Our energy team here at CAfS has been shortlisted for a prestigious award designed to shine a light on achievements in the community energy sector.

    The categories in the Community Energy Awards highlight the wider community energy sector, such as a community energy organisation of the year, the scaling up community energy award and the Local Authority collaboration award.  

    The CAfS energy team has been shortlisted in the ‘fuel poverty action’ category in recognition of our active engagement in addressing fuel poverty and energy efficiency.  This category rewards a community energy association that is actively engaged in addressing the issue of fuel poverty and/or energy efficiency in England. This means that our energy team has demonstrated that they have made a substantial contribution to reducing energy inefficiencies and fuel poverty. We join two other shortlisted finalists: Energise Sussex Coast and Exeter Community Energy. 

    Community Energy England has a membership of over 280 community energy organisations. It was founded in 2014 with the aim to act as a voice of the sector and help put people at the heart of the energy system. Being shortlisted is fantastic recognition for our energy team! 

    The awards ceremony takes place on the 10 Nov at City Hall in London. Watch this space for news…

    Find out more about our energy team, and the services we offer.

  • Contract: Installation of draughtproofing & other energy saving measures

    Contract: Installation of draughtproofing & other energy saving measures

    Quotations are invited from organisations and sole traders with the experience and qualifications to implement a draughtproofing service in districts of Cumbria on behalf of Cumbria Action for Sustainability. This work is part of our Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria service, funded by the Energy Redress Scheme.

    You’ll install a range of draughtproofing measures, as specified by our energy assessors.

    You’ll be part of our network of installers across the county, helping Cumbrians to make their homes warmer and save money on their energy bills. Working with our installers and partners, CAfS has completed draughtproofing in over 300 homes, with high-quality professionally installed fitting.

    The Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria service has the support of all local authorities in Cumbria as well as other organisations that support vulnerable people across the county.

    Full details & how to apply

    Please review the Invitation to Tender document, below, for full details about the work required and the application process. Recruitment is ongoing.

    Draught-proofing Invitation to Tender for installers

  • Small businesses invited to support climate action this Christmas

    Small businesses invited to support climate action this Christmas

    Are you an altruistic accountant or a compassionate crafter? Whatever line of business you’re in, there’s an easy way for you to help Cumbria Action for Sustainability this Christmas and make your company stand out at the same time.

    We are looking for businesses who care about the climate and want to have a powerful, positive impact through fundraising for us as part of your festive sales.

    There’s a range of ways to join our Gift for Good campaign – for example, by donating a percentage of sales of a specific product or service, or time limited to a particular day of the month. It’s all done through Work for Good, which is a sales fundraising platform that makes giving easy and stress free for businesses. You’d pledge support via our Work for Good page, allowing you to donate in a simple and sustainable way that works for you, allowing your business to keep control of the giving process and ensuring all the legal compliance is taken care of.

    “With 5.8 million small businesses in the UK, it’s a community that can have a hugely positive impact on our society,” said Caroline Turner from CAfS. “But, currently, only 2% of UK charities’ income comes from businesses, compared to 43% from individuals. Many consumers are looking for enlightened ways to spend their cash this Christmas, and sales fundraising is a fantastic way to help businesses stand out from the crowd.”

    Know any business owners who’d support climate action?

    If you’re not in business yourself but have friends or family who are, please do put them in touch with us if they’d be interested in promoting their climate values and helping us at the same time.

    Whatever their size, help us turn the work they do into good this Christmas. You can get in touch with us directly by email: [email protected]

    How does it work?

    Head over to CAfS’ Work for Good page and click the Fundraise for Us button. Here you’ll be asked to sign up and create an account.

    The next step is to create a pledge. You can choose the size and frequency of your donation, so whether it’s a percentage of the sales of a particular product or service or you want to time-limit your giving to a particular day of the month, Work for Good lets you remain completely in control of how and when you give.

    At this point, you will also be asked to sign a Commercial Participation Agreement. This is a legal requirement if you wish to fundraise for us through your sales. If done independently, this can be a lengthy and time-consuming process, but Work for Good creates this for you through their donations form, saving you valuable time and effort.

    Once this agreement is in place, publicise your giving at the point of sale (on your website) and share the fantastic work you are doing to support CAfS with your customers and clients; alongside the Work for Good logo.

    You too can be part of the amazing community of small businesses using their sales to make positive climate action happen here in Cumbria.

    Infographic from Work For Good giving, showing businesses what the steps are for supporting charities through the Work For Good platform.