Westmorland and Furness Council has allocated almost £900,000 as part of a new grant fund to support local partnerships to tackle climate change, support nature recovery and ensure a fair transition to a low carbon future for our communities.
A total of 21 grants have successfully been awarded to partnerships across Westmorland and Furness aiming to deliver programmes of work such as peatland restoration, improving invasive species management, creating a community wildlife garden and improving biodiversity.
Thanks to this funding, the council is able to support partnerships in delivering their ongoing work to tackle climate change and recover nature, working together to take action on:
- Tackling climate change
- Enhancing biodiversity
- Restoring natural habitats
- Improving water quality
- Promoting community engagement and participation in environmental and sustainability projects
- Mobilising action within the community for climate change and nature enhancement
The Council has an ambition to provide leadership on climate change and in local nature recovery, working to ensure that the council is carbon net zero as soon as possible and that the area it serves is carbon net zero by 2037.
This scheme is one of 14 projects representing £5m of priority investments for Westmorland and Furness agreed by the Council's Cabinet.
The projects reflect the council’s key priorities for the area, including funding for local areas, biodiversity and nature, sustainable transport, social care, children, culture and education.
Councillor Giles Archibald, Cabinet Member for Climate and Biodiversity said:
“I am delighted we have been able to support such a fantastic and wide range of work to help tackle our climate and biodiversity emergencies; promoting and enhancing our natural environments, reducing water and air pollution, as well as improving the health and wellbeing of the residents of Westmorland and Furness.
“As a council we are fortunate to have many partners working to tackle the climate and nature emergencies and I look forward to us working collaboratively with them to deliver shared outcomes and ambition.”
