Blog

  • Community Climate Champion (Volunteer)

    Community Climate Champion (Volunteer)

    This opportunity is now closed – if you are interested please contact [email protected]!

    We’re looking for new volunteer Climate Champions in the Copeland area. Through CAfS’ accredited Climate & Carbon Literacy Course, provided free to successful candidates, you’ll increase your knowledge of climate science, solutions and practical actions. Then, using your new found knowledge, and with full support from CAfS’ Climate Champion Coordinator, you’ll organise events – like discussion groups, film nights, quizzes, and reading groups – all in your own area to share your knowledge and enthusiasm with others. Even having conversations with people about climate change that you wouldn’t have done before the training will count!

    Being a Climate Champion could enable you help drive the implementation of the Copeland People’s Panel recommendations – ensuring green priorities set by Copeland residents are carried out, or generate more climate action in West Cumbria through the new ‘Westogether’ initiative. It might give you an entry route into a green career, or help embed climate change into the agenda of your local parish council, and in fact we’d especially love to hear from Copeland parish councillors.

    You’ll receive training to deliver sessions in your community, including a one-day comprehensive, accredited Carbon Literacy training course and induction and ongoing support from CAfS’ Climate Champion Coordinator. We also hope to arrange a one day Zero Carbon Britain training (Centre for Alternative Technology) as an optional extra for those who wish to attend. This is a fantastic opportunity for our community climate volunteers to develop new skills, as well as bringing benefits to your community and playing a really important part in tackling climate change.

    Please complete the expression of interest form either online or offline. Please don’t send a CV!

    Ongoing recruitment – apply now!

    You’ll get…

    • Induction

    • Free Climate & Carbon Literacy training

    • Full support from CAfS Climate Champions Coordinator

    Organise events…

    • Reading groups

    • Film nights

    • Climate quizzes

    You will…

    • Create an entry route to green jobs

    • Generate more climate action in West Cumbria through the new ‘Westogether’ initiative.

    • Help ensure green priorities set by Copeland residents are carried out

    This opportunity is open to people over the age of 18. If you’re under 18, please do keep an eye on our website and social media, as there’ll be opportunities for youth volunteers at a later date. 

    We wish to support diversification of the voices in the Cumbrian climate movement and particularly welcome applications from individuals on a low income, individuals in areas without an existing sustainability group or from anyone who feels that their voice, or the voice of their community is under-represented. 

    • LOCATION: Home-based and in the community

    • REPORTS TO: Clare Taylor, Community Climate Champions Coordinator.  She will induct, train, support and guide the champions. Please email Clare with any questions.

    • TIME COMMITMENT:  Roughly 5-10hrs per month until Feb 2024, including induction and training. Your activities will start when you’ve completed your induction. It doesn’t matter what form your activities take – what matters is reaching people and making an impact.

    • DURATION: Your induction will take place in September. Your sessions will be delivered from October ’23 to February ’24 and beyond if you’re able!

    Funded by

  • Cumbrian communities set to benefit from £40k support for renewable energy projects

    Cumbrian communities set to benefit from £40k support for renewable energy projects

    Community groups and town and parish councils across Cumbria are set to benefit from a total of £40,000 of funding to initiate or progress renewable energy projects in their area.

    Our Low Carbon Communities team have produced a comprehensive report which explains what community renewable energy is, and details different models. It covers key considerations and challenges and gives examples and mini-case studies of a wide variety of existing projects already in existence across the county.

    CAfS Low Carbon Communities Programme Manager, Molly Hogg, said “Our research and report gave us real insight into the help groups need to develop renewable energy projects in their area, and we’ve used that information to guide the support we’re now able to offer.

    Three levels of support are available, starting with 30 minutes of free advice. Groups can then apply for consultancy support, and subsequently two groups will receive a grant of up to £10,000 each to progress their projects further.

    Molly continued “We’ve got experts experienced in delivering renewable energy projects in local Cumbrian communities on hand and ready to give advice from an initial advisory phone call, right through to obtaining grant funding to get projects implemented and generating.

    To share more information about community renewable energy and the support available, two free online events are being held. The first, hosted in partnership with the Cumbrian Association of Local Councils (CALC), is at 19:00 on Thursday 29 June. With five expert speakers, this event will introduce the concept of community renewable energy, and attendees will hear about the role of local councils, and also find out about the projects already installed in Cumbria. The event will also introduce the support available, including the package of support offered by CAfS. A follow up event hosted by Cumbria Sustainability Network will be held on 6 July, which will give attendees an opportunity to discuss community renewable energy.

    To find out more, click here. The support project has been organised by CAfS as part of the Zero Carbon Cumbria programme led by a partnership of over 80 organisations from the private, public and third sectors working towards net zero by 2037, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.

  • Our latest newsletter – 20 June 2023

    Our latest newsletter – 20 June 2023

    Read our latest newsletter for details of our new community renewable energy support project, the presentation of our platinum Carbon literacy award, climate champions in Copeland, The Big Photo Challenge and more!

    We send our newsletters every couple of weeks. We’ll let you know about our forthcoming events, webinars, and courses; top tips for cutting your carbon footprint, our services and projects. To get this direct to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter!

    Follow us on social media for
    the most up to date news!

  • An award winning evening with the Carbon Literacy Project

    An award winning evening with the Carbon Literacy Project

    This Thursday saw CAfS in Manchester for The Carbon Literate Organisation awards. As a Carbon Literacy platinum award winner we were there to receive our award from The Carbon Literacy Project and to celebrate our experiences with other award winners, learning from their success and challenges!

    These inspirational awards featured stories from around the world. From Australia to the UAE, Carbon Literacy accredited courses are being adapted for different cultures and different audiences globally.  Currently there are 62, 184 carbon literate citizens across over 23 nations and with over 4100 different organisations involved. And the different sectors. It was eye-opening to see the different sectors represented, from tractor manufacturers to universities – and larger government organisations such as the Environment Agency. The reach was impressive and can only mean good things for the effort to reduce carbon emissions.

    And for CAfS? We continue to work to develop our Climate and Carbon Literacy courses – ensuring that we provide a local context to an international crisis, whilst at the same time reaching out to the many sectors, organisations and individuals that make up our unique county. We were thrilled to be one of only 8 platinum Carbon Literacy award winners! If you want to join us in our carbon literacy journey – you can find our latest courses here.

     

     

  • The Big Photo Challenge: snap, share and support our planet’s future.

    The Big Photo Challenge: snap, share and support our planet’s future.

    Join our photography competition this June. 

    We’re looking for engaging and positive photos which best demonstrate how our work has supported your climate projects here in Cumbria.  

    The competition is open until noon, Wednesday 28th June. Great Big Green Week is the perfect time to get involved.  

    We are looking for inspiring images to share on our social channels and website that raise awareness of the broad array of climate action that we have supported in Cumbria. We will showcase the best photos on our website. At the end of the competition we will choose our three favourites to enter into The Big Photo Challenge for the chance to be featured on The Big Give site. 

    Our favourite will receive a subscription to Ethical Consumer Magazine.

    Your photo could win us a cash prize from Big Give support us to deliver our local climate action projects. 

     Terms and Conditions: 

    By submitting images to CAfS each entrant confirms that: 

    CAfS have permission to use all imagery for their marketing and can submit them to The Big Give’s Photo Challenge.  

    They own the copyright and any other intellectual property rights of each image, and have given provided full credit of the image owner; 

    They have permission of anyone pictured in the image (or, where the image shows any persons under 18, the consent of their parents / guardian) for the usage rights required by Big Give and CAfS and will indemnify Big Give and CAfS against any claims made by any thirs parties in respect of such infringement.  

    They have received any necessary permission from the owner(s) of objects, including buildings including in submitted images for the usage rights required by CAfS and Big Give.  

    Digital adjustments are acceptable and will be taken into account.  Cropping is allowed.

    You can read The Big Give’s Terms and Conditions here: Salesforce 

     

  • Our latest newsletter – 6 June 2023

    Our latest newsletter – 6 June 2023

    Read our latest newsletter for info of all the 50ish Great Big Green Week events happening across the county, including three from CAfS, a report from our event celebrating our three year partnership with Shed One distillery, Climate & Carbon Literacy courses, plus more events and job opportunities.

    We send our newsletters every couple of weeks. We’ll let you know about our forthcoming events, webinars, and courses; top tips for cutting your carbon footprint, our services and projects. To get this direct to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter!

    Follow us on social media for the most up to date news!

  • Boost for Cold to Cosy Homes thanks to Energy Redress Funding Success

    Boost for Cold to Cosy Homes thanks to Energy Redress Funding Success

    Funding success from Energy Redress means that our very successful Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria project can continue to provide support, advice and practical help to hundreds of householders across Cumbria.

    The Ofgem Energy Redress Scheme gathers funds from Ofgem’s enforcement and compliance scheme.  These are then distributed to organisations across Great Britain that provide energy advice, support decarbonisation activities and develop innovate energy-focused services and products.

    CAfS success in the second round of Energy Redress funding means that we have received vital funds of over £290,000 specifically to support our Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria project.

    Andrew Northcott, our energy services manager explains, “We are delighted to hear about our application success for Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria. Our service is receiving incredibly high demand currently with over 100 clients waiting for a home visit and this new funding means we will be able continue for 2 more years. We’ll be providing lots more free and independent advice sessions to vulnerable customers to help them keep warm, reduce fuel costs and carbon emissions. We’ll provide advice at home visits, by telephone and at drop-in events.”

    Read more about the Energy Redress Scheme

    Find out about Cold to Cosy

  • Celebrating our partnership with Shed One Distillery

    Celebrating our partnership with Shed One Distillery

    Last month, Shed One distillery hosted a fundraiser for us to celebrate three years of our charity-business partnership, alongside launching their new 100% recycled glass bottles. We were joined on the night by many local businesses, who all enjoyed the opportunity to sample Shed One’s award-winning gin whilst sharing lots of constructive conversation around green business practice.

    Since their launch in 2016, Shed One have won many awards for their sustainable business practices, providing a great role model for others looking to reduce the carbon footprint of their business in a manageable way.

    Distillery owners, Zoe and Andy, gave a tour of their operations and explained their sustainability initiatives, and representatives from CAfS talked about our work and the support that we can offer businesses on their low carbon journey. There were gin and vodka tastings and a raffle to help raise funds for CAfS.

    It was great to see so many local businesses there and the night was a really positive experience. We truly value the amazing support we receive from all our local green business partners, helping us to extend our work and move us all closer to a zero carbon Cumbria.

    Partnering with CAfS can contribute to your corporate social responsibility policy, raise your profile and improve your employee engagement. It also helps demonstrate your values to your clients and customers, showing them that you are working in the interests of our planet.

    Nick & Caroline represented CAfS at Shed One Distillery
    Shed One Sustainability Award

  • We could see the world’s climate warming by 1.5° in 2027. What can we do?

    We could see the world’s climate warming by 1.5° in 2027. What can we do?

    You won’t have been able to avoid the news last week when scientists confirmed that our continuing use of fossil fuels means a high chance that we could see the world’s climate warming by 1.5° before 2027. 

    Why warming of 1.5° is important.

    The global temperatures warming by 1.5° is spoken about frequently because it represents a ‘tipping point’ for many of the world’s ecosystems.  It would mean that 14% of the Earth’s population will be exposed to severe heatwaves once every five years and a devastating effect on habitats and ocean systems. If it reaches 2°, 37% of the Earth’s population would be exposed to disastrous heatwaves and we could see the annihilation of most coral reefs as well as a complete loss of summer ice in the Arctic.  

    Here in Cumbria, a 2010 report by Natural England predicted the changes we will experience, and are already experiencing due to climate change. An increase in extreme weather such as flooding and summer droughts, more soil erosion and wildfires impacts on water quality, the effects of which will significantly impact farming and tourism.  Local wildlife such as the mountain ringlet butterfly will also face changes to their habitat.   

    But what can we do here in Cumbria?  

    This predicted breach of 1.5° warming may only be temporary, but it could be the wake-up call that our governments and communities need.  Cutting carbon emissions has never been so urgent, and CAfS runs numerous projects across Cumbria to help do this, such as: 

    • Supporting householders to reduce the amount of energy being wasted from heating damp, draughty homes. Our Cold to Cosy team have given advice that could prevent 520 tonnes CO2e from entering the atmosphere over the next ten years.  
    • Our ‘Farming for a Future’ projects works with different types of farms across the county to explore renewable energy sources, making savings in money and energy.  
    • Our award-winning Climate Literacy courses have helped over 1200 people understand the climate crisis, their own carbon footprint and identify the action they will take to reduce it. 

    As part of the Zero Carbon Cumbria partnership we are supporting a wide range of community based and sustainability groups.  The partnership is working Cumbria-wide across four sectors, identified as key sources of emissions in our baseline report.  

    It involves over 80 organisations, has a grants programme to support local community groups to reduce their carbon footprint, has developed citizens juries and is building strong relationships across all sectors. Together we can do our bit to reduce emissions. You can find out more on the Zero Carbon Cumbria site.

     

    Read more:  

    NASA: Why Global Temperatures Matter  

    2010 Report: Impact of Climate Change in Cumbria

  • Take one minute to nominate CAfS for Movement for Good

    Take one minute to nominate CAfS for Movement for Good

    This month, we are asking our supporters to spare a minute of their time to nominate CAfS for the chance to win £1,000 through the Movement for Good Awards. For over 135 years, the Benefact Group have been putting charitable giving at the heart of their business, gifting all available profits to charity.  And this year, we could be one of those charities!

    The nomination process is free and simple. Simply follow this link to fill in the short form on the Benefact Group’s website. Only one nomination is allowed per person, so we would love it if you could share this opportunity widely as the more times we are nominated, the greater our chances of success.

    Winners are selected for the awards three times throughout the year and the next draw will be on 1st June (nominations close at 23:59 on 31st May). Unsuccessful nominees will then be rolled over to the next draw so there are multiple chances to win.

    Help us to bring climate solutions to Cumbria by nominating us here today!

    Please also share the opportunity with your friends and family. Thank you!