December 2024 Edition
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We are pleased to announce that Coventry’s Cabinet has approved the city’s Climate Change Strategy for 2024-2030! It is a live document that outlines the challenges and opportunities in tackling climate change, where the benefits will deliver to local people, ranging from lower bills, warmer homes, greener streets, cleaner air, more jobs and skills.
This is accompanied by the Climate Change Action Plan that sets out the key actions that aim to deliver the Strategy and its targets and includes opportunities for communities, businesses and organisations across the city to get involved.
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 Following the recent news that Stagecoach will be rolling out 64 new electric buses, the city is set on being the UK’s first all-electric zero-emission bus fleet by 2025.
The new buses will be the equivalent of taking the emissions of 14,000 cars off the roads of Coventry, with modern amenities such as USB charging points and free WiFi. A positive step towards cleaner air and better transport for Coventry!
 What's more, between Monday 9 December and Friday 13 December all buses in the West Midlands will be free to use from 7pm onwards, with passengers able to simply hop onboard and travel anywhere across the West Midlands bus network. This unique initiative has been designed by the Mayor of the West Midlands, in partnership with all bus operators, to encourage people to avoid the stress and expense of driving and parking during the holiday period by opting for bus travel.
 The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) are writing the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for the West Midlands region. The purpose of the LNRS is to provide a strategy for nature, build and strengthen local partnerships and contribute to positive actions for nature. During the development of the LNRS, a list of key outcomes (referred to as "priorities") for nature need to be identified to shape the strategy and so a survey is a key part of the process.
The survey is open to everyone but will be most beneficial to those that live, work and enjoy the West Midlands and its surrounding areas. The aim of this is to shape the priorities and opportunities for delivering nature recovery. We encourage anyone from Coventry to represent our views on what can be prioritised here, including communities/groups within the city. The deadline for this is this week.
The Coventry Rivers Citizen Science project, led by Severn Rivers Trust, has recently received a fund from the West Midlands Combined Authority of £36,500 to train 30 volunteers in monitoring water quality along the River Sowe. The project looks to build a picture of the health of the river Sowe to inform local and regional decisions on land and water management. It expects to engage 1000 people through events that focus on river health.
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 The Sherbourne Valley Project has begun its restoration project this month for Lake View Park, since receiving funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and will take an estimated 5-6 weeks to complete. The project aims to re-naturalise the River Sherbourne, improving it for nature and for local communities. There will be several elements to this particular restoration project, all of which will have a positive effect on the river and surrounding area in both short-term and long-term scenarios, ultimately enhancing biodiversity and improving river quality.
An update on Strategic Energy Partnership (SEP) performance was provided to Scrutiny Coordination Committee and Shareholder Committee on 20 and 21 November. Officers from the Council attended with E.ON colleagues to update on activity including; progressing opportunities for a solar farm, decarbonisation projects on schools and council buildings, roll out of EV chargers and; energy efficiency projects in domestic buildings. Community benefit programmes have included school workshops, care leavers placements and a community growing project.
A key strategic piece of work has been the Coventry Energy Plan which presents a deliverable long-term pipeline of projects which will support to deliver the Council’s ambitions for decarbonisation. The partnership will now focus on its updated annual business plan with Coventry Energy Plan findings in mind and progressing projects. The next update is due in March 2025.
Click the links for the public report and Appendix to report.
The ‘Lets Make & Re-use’ exhibition by students was created to highlight the importance of upcycling and environmental consciousness. Started by Libby Esler from ArtLab, the scheme merges upcycled materials into art. You can find the artworks in The Myton Hospices charity shops and at LTB Showrooms (part of Coventry University) as an opening event on the 7 December.
 Coventry University postgraduates in Art Design and Architecture have also taken to creativity by reusing timber from the demolition of a car park and making a public art sculpture. It is described by Dr Tulika Gadakari, associate professor and curriculum lead in architecture, as "a positive response to achieving net zero carbon emissions and sustainable development goal" in the topics of urban mining and circular economy. You can now find it on display at IDP Architects office in Spon Street, Coventry.
See other events at Coventry University, including a Clean Futures series of masterclasses aimed at small and medium businesses (SMEs).
Community Grant Scheme
Veolia Environmental Trust is providing grants of up to £75,000 to not-for-profit organisations, local authorities and Environmental Bodies in England. The Community Grant Scheme aims to make improvements to community facilities and the natural environment.
The next round for applications opens on 28 November 2024.
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Energy Efficiency Sharematch Fund
Community organisations in England can apply for a share of £250,000 of funding from the Energy Efficiency Sharematch fund to reduce energy usage and carbon footprint. It can be used to install on-site energy generation measures like solar panels and heat pumps, improve building energy efficiency through insulation and LED lighting, and upgrade operational equipment to more energy-efficient alternatives. The application process requires an initial expression of interest, followed by a formal application through the Crowdfunder platform for eligible projects. The fund's application closing date is March 2025.
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Stobart Sustainability Fund
The Stobart Sustainability Fund is providing funding to support the transformation of local communities through projects that tackle climate change, reduce emissions or protect and enhance the environment. Applications are welcomed from non-profit organizations, community groups, small businesses and educational facilities.
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Nineveh Charitable Trust
UK based schools and not for profit organisations can apply for funding to the Nineveh Charitable Trust for a broad range of projects and activities that promote a better understanding of the environment and countryside, whilst facilitating improved access, education and research.
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npower Business Solutions Foundation
The npower Business Solutions Fund is offering grants of up to £100,000 to help create stronger, greener and more sustainable local communities. Applications are being accepted from not-for-profits and educational institutions that are at least two years old and are located within a 50-mile radius of npower Business Solutions’ offices in Solihull and Leeds.
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Find out what free events are happening this November and December with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust – ranging from a Nature Explorers Club for children at Wood side Family Hub, to a Christmas Fair at Brandon Marsh!
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On Wednesday 4 December, Small99’s People, Planet, Pint™ Sustainability Meetup will take place at Golden Cross, 8 Hay Lane. Advertised as a place to start your journey or continue learning, and meet diverse people to chat about life and how we can sustain it. It is sponsored by Krystal, an award-winning, 100% renewably powered web hosting provider, which means the first 33 drinks are on Krystal at every event. Click the link below for more information on Eventbrite.
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Coventry City Council, in partnership with Citizen Housing and Earthwatch Europe, will be planting Tiny Forests in Radford, Upper Stoke and Holbrooks! We have started to design the forests with local residents through community drop-in days and a survey on the Let’s Talk Coventry website.
Additionally, there are 6 sites identified for possible Tiny Forests: Marnhull Close, Foresters Road, Nickson Road, Aldrich Avenue, Whitley Common, Dawlish Drive. Fill in the survey below if you live in one of these 6 areas to share your insights, and email ecology@coventry.gov.uk if you would like to get involved for planting and engagement days to come for any area involved.
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For regular updates subscribe to our newsletter. To get in touch with the Council regarding climate change and sustainability, including featuring in an article in a future newsletter, please email us at Climatechange@Coventry.gov.uk
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