Everyone has an environmental footprint. It comes from all the things you do that have an impact on our planet such as the energy you use, the things you buy and the food you eat.
By making changes to our lives, like switching to more sustainable everyday habits, we can reduce our environmental footprint and the damage we do to our planet. Individual actions might seem small but, collectively, they can make all the difference in the world. Follow the link below to learn what your carbon footprint is and the changes you can make to improve it.
Maidstone Borough Council staff take part in first Carbon Literacy training day
Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) recognises the role our staff have to play in tackling climate change and meeting our ambitious targets of becoming Net Zero by 2030. To help meet these targets, the council has committed to a programme of Carbon Literacy. As a council we’re working with the Carbon Literacy Project to train officers on sustainability, climate change, carbon footprints and our net zero ambition. Our first training day at the end of January was a huge success, with learners each committing to their own ‘individual’ and ‘group’ action to reduce carbon emissions and attain their Carbon Literacy Certificate.
We have received very positive feedback from our staff who attended the training day- "I have a much clearer understanding of the issues surrounding the climate emergency, and what some of the key contributors are. This will help me to identify areas in which I can influence a more sustainable approach in my job role."
Carbon Literacy is defined as: “An awareness of the carbon dioxide costs and impacts of everyday activities, and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions, on an individual, community and organisational basis.”
The Carbon Literacy Project is based on the key aim that if we are to cut our carbon emissions by the kind of reductions demanded of us by science, then we will need to change culture alongside technology. The Carbon Literacy Project offers everyone a day’s worth of Carbon Literacy learning, covering climate change, carbon footprints, how you can do your bit, and why it’s relevant to you and your audience. So far over 51,032 individuals from 4,070 organisations have been certified as Carbon Literate.
Maidstone communities plant trees for the Queen's Green Canopy
MBC has finished planting 500 trees across the borough as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy. MBC worked with local community groups and schools to help plant the new trees in seven locations across Maidstone. We would like to say a huge thank you to Allington Primary School, Allington Alligators, Oaks Primary Academy, Archbishop Courtenay Church of England Primary School and Maidstone and Malling Alternative Provision for all their help with tree planting!
Trees have been planted in a similar style to the Miyawaki method, an effective tree planting technique in which seedlings are planted at very high densities. This replicates the regeneration process that occurs in a natural forest when a clearing in the canopy opens up. The saplings grow very fast to compete for the light and then natural selection will favour the fastest growing individuals and act to thin out the trees. The result is a densely-packed pioneer forest that grows in 20 to 30 years instead of taking 150 to 200 years, maximising the carbon potential.
Tree planting is fully supporting MBC's Climate Action Plan and increasing tree cover is an important part of the Council’s strategy for protecting biodiversity, and mitigating the climate emergency.
Mid Kent Waste Partnership announces new contractor
Three Kent councils have signed a new waste and recycling contract with SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd. Ashford, Maidstone and Swale councils – which work together as the Mid Kent Waste Partnership, have awarded the eight-year contract to SUEZ after a detailed joint tender process.
The new waste contract, which will begin in March 2024, will introduce new technology and industry improvements, whilst retaining large parts of the existing service. As part of the contract, a new fleet of vehicles will be purchased including more small and narrow access vehicles. It will bring with it improved technology for vehicle tracking and the management of customer service requests, allowing the waste team to have full visibility of the service. Cllr Martin Round – MBC Lead Cabinet Member for Environmental Services said:
"The new vehicles are being funded directly by each council and will help save costs. They will be modern and use electric bin lifts which will reduce the consumption of diesel dramatically, helping lower the services’ carbon footprint. The new contract will also offer the chance to increase recycling rates across the three boroughs, improved efficiency of the collection routes, lower emissions vehicles and better technology to keep our residents up to date."
The current service will continue to be delivered by the Mid Kent Waste Partnership along with Biffa Municipal Ltd until the start of the new contract and the Partnership wish to express their thanks to Biffa for the last 10 years of service delivery. All existing employees will transfer to the new contractor from the beginning of the contract in March 2024.
Whether you are heading to work or into town, from 1 January to 31 March a single bus journey will cost no more than £2 on most routes across England. Check your route below.
With the average bus ticket for a single journey costing around £2.80 (up to £5 in some rural areas) the temporary 'Get Around For £2' campaign aims to encourage passengers to make use of the public transport on their doorstep. More than 130 bus operators outside of London, including Arriva, National Express and Stagecoach, are joining the scheme, which is backed with £60 million of government funding to help cover ticket caps.
This government grant scheme is designed to fund energy-efficiency upgrades to residents who are most likely to be impacted by the high cost of rising bills. These improvements will help residents to use less energy and spend less on their energy bills. The grant will cover a range of energy-saving home improvements designed to balance the needs of residents with carbon reduction and grant availability. EON is the supply partner for Maidstone Borough Council and will manage the process.
There's lots we can all do to save water and help the environment whatever the weather. South East Water are here to help you save water with simple, free devices that make your home more efficient. The products are available to South East Water customers with a delivery address within the South East Water supply area only. Water saving devices include leaky loo strips, regulated shower heads, kitchen streams and much more!
Get involved in I Dig Trees – The Conservation Volunteer’s tree planting programme that supports OVO Energy’s Planting Promise. I Dig Trees is now in its eighth year and OVO Energy members, with carbon-cutting upgrades, have pledged another 1,000,000 carbon-busting trees for local green spaces – the most trees pledged to date!
If you are you part of a community group that would benefit from receiving FREE trees, then nominate them by following the link below. Applications from schools, for tree planting on school grounds to benefit students, are also welcome!
This funding aims to help communities across the UK to address climate change. Projects should achieve one of the following:
- show how creating a deeper connection with nature will lead to changing people’s behaviours and greater care for the environment - show how by bringing nature back into the places we live and work, we can help communities to reduce or adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The fund is suitable for community and voluntary organisations, charities, schools and statutory bodies who are working in partnership. There is £1.5 million available over two to five years, with most projects between £300,000 and £500,000 and development grants of £50,000 to £150,000 over 12 to 18 months.
Get ready for Great Big Green Week 2023,taking place between 10th and 18th June.
The Great Big Green Week is the UK's biggest ever celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature. We’ll be joining the thousands of people taking part in #GreatBigGreenWeek this June!
There is still time to sign up and take part in the Big Schools' Birdwatch. Join thousands of other schools to find out which birds visit your school grounds. Get counting in your school grounds any time from 6 January to 20 February2023. The RSPB have got lots of free online resources to help make your schools birdwatch a success!
Are you an individual, business, community group, charity or other organisation that has been taking action to respond to climate change? Have you got climate change or biodiversity events that you want to spread the word about? We want to hear from you!
Email us at climateandbiodiversity@maidstone.gov.uk and tell us what you have been up to, and if you are comfortable, we will share your events, successes and lessons learnt to help others take action too.
Upcoming Events
Bearsted Climate Action Network (CAN) events
Bearsted CAN is a local community group bringing people together from Bearsted and the surrounding area to work together to tackle the Climate & Ecological Emergency. Bearsted CAN have a full programme of events for 2023, including lots of action that everybody can get involved with. Upcoming events:
Vegetarian evening, bring and share meal - The Yeoman, Ashford Road Monday 6th February 7pm - 10pm
Visit to Elviss and Kresse ethical designer - Faversham Friday 10th March- book here
Medway Valley Countryside Partnership (MVCP) work with various organisations to promote, enhance and protect local wildlife and landscapes. Why not join one of their FREE events to immerse yourself in nature and find out more about our local areas!
Snowdrop Wellbeing Walk at Cobtree Manor Park - Wednesday 8th February 10:30am
Wellbeing Walk at Manor Park, winter bird identification, (near West Malling) Tuesday 14th February 10.30am -12pm
February Half Term Family Fun at Hucking Estate, Hollingbourne Thursday 16th February 10am - 1pm
February Half Term Family Fun at White Horse Wood, Detling Friday 17th February 10am - 1pm
Wonderful Wintery Woodland Wellbeing Walk (Winter Tree identification) at White Horse Wood - Tuesday 21st February 10.30am
Wellbeing Walk at the Hucking Estate, Hollingbourne Friday 24th February 10.30am - 12pm
Fill your days with wild activities from Kent Wildlife Trust!
Nature Tots in Maidstone (February and March - Tuesday or Friday mornings) - Tyland Barn Nature Tots is based on Forest School, specifically for pre-school age children. It’s a wonderful opportunity for little ones to explore, discover and learn from nature and gain a sense of achievement from a variety of nature, art and craft-based activities. The price includes six Nature Tots sessions. Sessions run from 9:45am - 11:45am
Helping hedgehogs in our garden 7:30pm - 9.00pm, Online
Amphibian Ecology and Survey Techniques - Tyland Barn Saturday 4th March 2pm - 8pm
Please note charges will apply.
If you have an upcoming event that you would like to promote through the Climate Change & Biodiversity newsletter please email climateandbiodiversity@maidstone.gov.uk
We want to improve our communication and engagement with you around climate change & biodiversity in Maidstone. If you want to contact us please email climateandbiodiversity@maidstone.gov.uk
If you have enjoyed reading our Climate Change & Biodiversity update, why not forward this email onto your friends and family so they can 'Stay Connected' to news from Maidstone Borough Council.
