North Somerset Council demonstrates commitment to cutting emissions

North Somerset Council remains committed to tackling the climate emergency and is continuing to work towards becoming a carbon neutral area by 2030, despite the recent rollback in the UK government’s Net Zero goals.

To mark global Carbon Literacy Action Day on Monday 4 December, the council is demonstrating its commitment by hosting the world’s largest in-person Carbon Literacy training day for local people and businesses, free of charge.

The training usually costs £125 per person, and was created by the Carbon Literacy Project to improve understanding of the causes and impacts of our everyday greenhouse gas emissions, which must drastically reduce to limit further global temperature rises.

As well as identifying ways everyone can play a part in tackling the climate emergency, the course also identifies ways to save energy costs, both at home and at work.

We want to create a thriving and sustainable North Somerset, and we know that education is one of the greatest tools we have when transitioning to become a net zero area.

If you’re looking for a way to kickstart your journey to net zero, either at home or for your business or organisation, this is your chance to reduce costs, understand the implications of climate change and help make North Somerset a healthier, happier and greener place to live and work.

North Somerset Council is proud to be an accredited Carbon Literate Organisation, with a Silver award. By attending our training course, your business or organisation will be well on the way to becoming accredited too

Cllr Annemieke Waite, North Somerset Council’s executive member for climate

Carbon Literacy training will be delivered at the Winter Gardens in Weston-super-Mare for up to 350 delegates, free of charge. The training has been funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and will feature guest speakers from the climate industry.

To register your interest sign-up online by Tuesday 31 October at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/carbonliteracy.

For more information about becoming an accredited Carbon Literate Organisation, or if you need further support to help your organisation make sustainable choices, please email [email protected].

For more information about the UKSPF programme in North Somerset, visit https://innorthsomerset.co.uk/ukspf.    

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus.    

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund replaces the EU Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF).    

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) launched the Rural England Prosperity Fund (Rural Fund), a top up to the UKSPF worth up to £110 million for 2023/24 and 2024/25. It is the domestic replacement for the European funded LEADER Programme used to support the development of rural economies. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/rural-england-prosperity-fund-prospectus/rural-england-prosperity-fund-prospectus.  

Press release by North Somerset Council.