South Gloucestershire Council’s Sustainability, Heritage and Environmental Projects Team works in partnership with a number of organisations, community and interest groups and businesses to develop projects that will enhance and protect the natural environment and heritage of South Gloucestershire, and help mitigate the impacts of climate change. 

The team is involved with many projects which include preserving local natural reserves and woodlands, the creation of three bat audio trails, conserving listed buildings, historic parks, gardens, landscapes and museums and developing energy efficiency campaigns and a renewable energy scheme for residents in the area.  Further details of these exciting projects can be found on the Environment and Climate Change pages of the Council’s website.

Environment Policy, Strategy & Action

In March 2007, the South Gloucestershire Environment Partnership was set up with the aim to coordinate and help deliver actions that help support the protection and enhancement of the environment for future generations.  The Partnership has representation from a wide range of voluntary, community, statutory and commercial organisations.  All meetings are open to the public.  The minutes from previous meetings can be found at Environment Partnership & Forum

The Environment Forum meets 3 times a year and provides the opportunity for people and organisations to get involved in the development of environmental policy and action and to make links with people with similar interests. If you would like to get involved in local environmental action or have an interest in environmental issues you are welcome to attend Forum meetings.  You will find minutes from previous meetings and dates for the next meeting at Environment Partnership & Forum

In addition to supporting local projects, the Sustainability team produces a bi annual newsletter called Networking News which covers local environment stories within South Gloucestershire.  You can download previous editions from the Council’s website and can contact the Sustainability team to include any interesting news of things going on in your area.

The Council also has its own Environmental Policy which set out aims and objectives for reducing the council’s damaging impacts on the environment. 

The Council supports and promotes locally produced and seasonal food.  The Council coordinates a Local Food Partnership which has wide representation and meets regularly.  The Partnership if responsible for producing a South Gloucestershire Local Food & Drink Directory and the organisation of the South Gloucestershire Local Food & Drink Festival – which runs from September to October of each year and hosts a range of open free events for all the family.

South Gloucestershire Council has also been working hard to promote Fairtrade products across its catering service and outlets and is continuing to support schools to promote fairtrade. The Council has, together with South Gloucestershire Fairtrade Network and the Co-operative Group, produced a Fairtrade Directory to showcase the huge range of Fairtrade products now on offer and make it easier for consumers in South Gloucestershire to track down Fairtrade options.

Climate Change

In 2006 South Gloucestershire Council adopted a Climate Change Strategy which sets out an action plan and number of targets to reduce CO2 emissions by 60% within the district by 2050.  The Climate Change Strategy covers 6 main areas:  energy, transport, waste, planning and new development, lifestyles and business and adaptation. In line with the Climate Change Strategy, a number of initiatives and campaigns have been developed to work towards reaching this challenging target.

SG Futurenergy: advice – grants – loans

In January of this year, the Council teamed up with Severn Wye Energy Agency to launch SG Futurenergy renewable energy advice service.  The scheme provides a helpline manned by expert advisors who give free, impartial advice about the most suitable technologies for your home, a list of local accredited installers and a £500 grant towards the cost of a technology.  The scheme also offers a 3% fixed interest loan, repayable up to 10 years, to make installing a renewable energy system at home much more viable. 

To find out more and to apply for a grant or loan, contact SG Futurenergy on 01594 544119 or email renewables@swea.co.uk  More information about the scheme can be found at www.swea.co.uk or Renewable Energy on the Council’s website.