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Empowering Essex communities and schools to take action on climate change

Responding to the global climate emergency is a fundamental priority for Essex County Council (ECC). Environment has been identified as one of the four core themes of ECC’s Everyone’s Essex organisational strategy.

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Synopsis

Last year, the Council announced its updated £250 million Climate Action Plan. ECC recognises that if we are going to achieve our net zero target by 2050, it is imperative that everyone gets involved. In 2021, the Council unveiled a £500,000 Climate Action Challenge Fund. This funding has enabled community groups and schools to deliver pioneering projects which combat climate change. 

The challenge

Across the globe, nationally and in Essex, millions of people are already facing the impact of global warming. In Essex alone, the effects of changed weather patterns such as heat waves, drought and increased flooding are becoming more prevalent across the county. We are also seeing increased coastal erosion.  All of these will be detrimental to our residents, communities, and future generations.

Local authorities are critical in driving action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and have a fundamental role in supporting our local communities to become more resilient and adapt to climate change impacts.  

One of our priorities is to embrace the opportunities which the transition to a net zero economy will bring to our county and we are supporting a strong green skills pipeline to respond to these future needs.

ECC is working collaboratively with partners to develop innovative solutions which not only respond to the challenges of climate change, and reduce greenhouse gases, but also coincide with other core priorities such as improving the health and wellbeing of our residents and support levelling up across the county.

Inspiring local led action amongst our communities and young people is at the forefront of the ECC’s climate actions strategy. 

The solution

Essex was one of the first local authorities in the UK to have developed an independent Climate Commission to advise on how best the county can achieve its commitment to transition to net zero. In July 2021, the Essex Climate Action Commission unveiled its Net Zero: Making Essex Carbon Neutral report which provided over 100 recommendations on how organisations, communities, schools, local businesses, and residents could work together to reach the county’s target in transforming to net zero by 2050.

In response to the Commission’s report, in the same month, ECC launched the Climate Action Challenge Fund. The aim of the fund was to inspire voluntary, community groups and schools to develop innovative projects to take their own action on climate change. Community groups and schools in Essex had the opportunity to apply for up to £20,000 to fund local climate projects. 

The impact

Since launching in July 2021, the Climate Action Challenge Fund has allocated £500,000 to community groups and schools to help them develop inspiring climate projects. A total of 41 community groups, voluntary organisations and schools benefited from grants and developed a diverse range of climate action projects: 

Chelmsford Cathedral 

Chelmsford Cathedral was awarded £20,000 to bring the awe-inspiring Gaia touring artwork by Luke Jerram to Essex. This was a stunning replica of the Earth’s globe which was created from detailed NASA imagery measuring six meters in diameter. As well as viewing the artwork installation, visitors were able to attend workshops and reflect on how we could all take action to protect the future of our planet. The event was a huge success, with over 40,000 visitors who attended over the three weeks.

Sea Change Sailing Trust 

The Sea Change Sailing Trust Charity was awarded £12,586 to fund a sail cargo which transports goods from Brightlingsea, Essex, to ports on the east coast, on the engineless Thames sailing barge called the Blue Mermaid. This only uses wind and tide during voyages. The charity provides residential opportunities for young people and vulnerable adults to learn and develop a wide range of life skills on a traditional sailing vessel. Young people are recruited from local coastal towns such as Jaywick and Maldon. According to statistics, seaside and coastal communities are some of the most deprived and isolated in the UK, with young people there experiencing economic and social deprivation, poorer educational achievement and higher than average unemployment levels. As well as providing opportunities for young people, the project benefits the environment by taking vehicles off the roads and using the waterways to transport low-emission coastal cargo. It is estimated that the engineless cargo helped to take a 7.5 tonne truck off the road for three working days, and around 30 young people were involved in the project on multiple occasions. 

Let’s Talk Trash festival! 

The Plume Academy in Maldon worked in partnership with Essex County Council, Maldon District Council and Braxted Park Estate to host the Let’s Talk Trash festival which was attended by over 300 students aged 11 to 13 years. The aim of the event was to shift behaviour away from littering and educate young people on how we can take action to protect the future of our planet.  
You can read more about the other pioneering projects on Essex Climate Action Commission's website.

How is the new approach being sustained?

The projects which have been developed by communities and schools through the fund are having a significant impact. Although there has been no further funding allocated, projects are showing evidence of longevity and positive outcomes.

GAIA was a short-term exhibition but the workshops inspired actions individuals could take in their lives and in their communities.

Due to the success of last year’s Let’s Talk Trash event, Braxted Park plans to host another event in 2025. The event will be open to primary school pupils and schools countywide will have the opportunity to attend. Throughout the day, students will be able to take part in various workshops which focus on climate action. They will also have the opportunity to hear from a range of inspirational speakers.

Charity Trust Links was awarded £20,000 of funding to host educational days to increase educational awareness and develop the green skills of young people. Building upon the future green skills needs will be paramount for driving forward long-term sustainable growth as we transition to a net zero economy.

Lessons learned

The fund has led to a multitude of successful projects across the county. If we were to develop similar funds, we would like to explore the possibility of expanding the fund to not only include voluntary community groups and schools but also small and medium-sized enterprises in Essex. It would be good to inspire small businesses to develop sustainably which not only help to protect the environment but also drive forward long-term economic growth.

Contact information

Email address: [email protected]  

Additional information

You can view a video of the 2023 Let’s Talk Trash Festival on the Essex County Council's website.