 Through its Mow Better service, Sheffield City Council Parks and Countryside Service want to help develop more of our parks, woodlands, meadows, riversides and green spaces into havens for wildlife.
Mowing better means mowing less. By mowing better, we hope to enable different plants to flourish and develop a patchwork of open spaces. Bees, insects and other pollinators carry pollen with them as they move from flower to flower, which is important for plants to produce seeds and fruits and thereby create the next generation of plants. Although honeybees get most of the credit, at least 1,500 insect species pollinate plants in the UK and protecting a biodiverse environment is key to supporting these creatures.
Mow Better will be undertaken across more than 98 hectares of grass, which is about the size of 140 football pitches.
Results from a recent customer satisfaction survey revealed that 85 per cent of respondents agreed that it is important that our sites are enhanced and made more habitat and wildlife friendly, through actions such as:
- Tree and hedgerow planting.
- Changes to planting schemes.
- Changes to maintenance regimes such as mowing, pruning and strimming.
 In April, the new Sheffield Connect electric bus service launched.
The SC1 route already connected 12 stops in the city centre, to make it easier for local people to get to key locations.
As well as the SC1, which is currently running every 10 minutes, the Sheffield Connect also now runs an additional SC2 service, which links The Moor, Sheffield Station, the Interchange, Castlegate, West Bar, and Arundel Gate. The new SC2 route means you can easily get between the Heart of the City and to Castlegate every 20 minutes. The Sheffield Connect’s new green look makes it easy to spot around the city centre too and, not only are both services zero-emission, they are completely free too!
You can find out more about the routes and the service by visiting the Travel South Yorkshire website
At the beginning of May, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), working in partnership with Sheffield City Council, submitted an application to be part of the MCS Foundation’s Local Area Retrofit Accelerator (LARA) pilot. Retrofitting includes activities such as replacing gas boilers with heat pumps, improving insulation and draftproofing properties, which together can reduce energy bills.
The pilot will test a new process to co-develop local retrofit strategies with local stakeholders, with the aim to secure funding and drive forward action tailored specifically to the region and its unique circumstances.
This is a fantastic opportunity for Sheffield, bringing together key stakeholders to develop a local strategic retrofit plan, contributing toward the city’s net zero goals and ambitions. The scheme is expected to have positive environmental and economic implications by supporting more homes to retrofit, improving energy performance and efficiency, and moving to cleaner energy.
We will know if Sheffield has been successful at the end of May.
 New parking enforcement rules are to be introduced across Sheffield to make roads and pavements safer for cyclists, wheelchair users and pedestrians.
From Monday 20 May 2024, motorists could be issued a penalty charge if they park across dropped kerbs (which have been lowered for vehicle access or pedestrians), in cycle lanes, or are not parked close to the kerb.
Heavy Goods Vehicles will also not be allowed to park with wheels on the footway, unless loading (as allowed by national regulations), while non-licenced vehicles parked up and offering goods for sale may also be penalised.
The new enforcement rules have been introduced following a recent consultation where over half of those who replied had experienced vehicles blocking their driveways, while over 70 per cent said they had experienced vehicles blocking the way of pedestrians, blocking dropped kerbs, as well as double parking.
Motorists who are found to be breaking the new enforcement rules and causing obstruction to other road users could face a fine of £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.
Do you want to contribute to the Sustainability and Climate Change Newsletter?
For future editions of the Sustainability and Climate Change newsletter, we want to share the great stories and experiences of Sheffield organisations and local people that are taking action to tackle climate change in the city.
We are inviting those interested to write a short blog post about the practical action they or their community or organisation are involved in, to reduce carbon emissions, tackle climate change and help the city become a green and resilient city.
This could involve reducing food waste, increasing access to sustainable food for communities, reducing business emissions, retrofitting a home on a street or setting up a bike buddy scheme, just to name a few.
We will aim to publish one article in each of ournthly newsletters, so if you are interested, please get in touch via sustainability@sheffield.gov.uk, letting us know who you are (and your organisation, if relevant) and what you would like to write about. A member of the team will get and touch and let you know what to do next if you have been successful.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Subsidised Energy Audits for Community Groups and Local Authorities
Community energy groups across the region have stated that they require financial assistance in accessing energy audits as part of the early stages of development works.
The North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub are currently offering limited subsidised energy audits, covered 80 per cent of their costs, with the applicant covering the remaining 20 per cent. Through this programme, community energy groups and local authorities, working with community energy groups, may bid for a consultant to complete an energy audit for a single building or site.
The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 2 June 2024, and all energy audits must be completed by Monday 30 September 2024.
View more information and apply on the website.
Upgrade your community building with up to £25k grant
Calling all community and cultural organisations in Sheffield!
You could be eligible for a grant of up to £25k to enhance your premises via funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Grants are available for energy-efficient upgrades including lighting, heating, insulation, boilers, and more.
The upgrades will not only save you money on utility bills but can also contribute to a more sustainable future.
Registering your interest is easy, and you'll receive support every step of the way.
Have you got the Better Points app?
Better Points is a free app which allows you to turn your steps, cycle rides, bus trips and more, into shopping vouchers or donations to local charities. The Better Points Sheffield scheme aims to encourage residents across the city to choose active travel to get around wherever and whenever possible, taking cars off the road in the city, reducing congestion and emissions, while helping to promote a healthier lifestyle.
To join in, download the free Better Points app and use it to record journeys made on foot, by bike, in a wheelchair, or by bus, tram or train.
Get home energy advice and grants
Warm Homes Sheffield home energy advice and grants are continuing to help local people to reduce energy costs and keep their homes and families warm and well. Depending on individual circumstances, Warm Homes Sheffield can help with funding towards insulation, solar panels, air source heat pumps and much more.
To find out more information about the energy schemes, get advice about reducing your energy costs and more, visit the website.
Are you a business looking to reduce your carbon emissions?
Sheffield's Low Carbon Business Support Project provides dedicated support and a source of funding for eligible businesses to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. It is now open for enquiries and businesses will be accepted onto the project on a first come, first served basis until capacity is reached.
Through the project, you could:
- Reduce your energy costs.
- Make your business more competitive, resilient and productive.
- Potentially safeguard and create jobs through improved profitability and reinvestment of savings.
- Become a more environmentally friendly business by reducing carbon emissions.
Visit the website to find out if you are eligible and what support you can receive.
Take part in The Wildlife Trusts’ 30 Days Wild
This year Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust is celebrating 10 years of the 30 Days Wild campaign, which encourages everyone to engage with nature every day during June. Taking part in 30 Days Wild is scientifically proven to make you feel happier, healthier, and more connected to nature. Whether it’s watching the birds from your sitting room window or taking part in the many volunteering opportunities available from Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust, Sheffield Parks and Countryside service or local Friends of parks and countryside organisations, find out how you can get involved by visiting the 30 Days Wild website.
Sustainability Netwalking events
Meet new people, build relationships and expand your network whilst exploring the city and nature through the Sustainability Netwalking event.
This is a great space for collaboration and support taking in fresh air and getting some exercise, where you can discuss sustainable business ideas and opportunities, wellbeing and ethical practices all while exploring Sheffield. You can also go along to hear about the Sheffield Sustainability Network and the Sheffield Social Enterprise Network, and how you can get involved with both.
The next monthly Sustainability Netwalking event will take place on Wednesday 19 June, exploring the Rivelin Trail, followed by Thursday 18 July at the Sheffield Botanical Gardens.
Gleadless Valley Masterplan: Spotswood Road Green Space Proposal
The Gleadless Valley Regeneration Team are delighted to present plans for a new green space. This will be community green space at Spotswood Road in the heart of Gleadless Valley, the first big project as part of the Gleadless Valley Masterplan. The proposal for Spotswood Park seeks to create a place in Gleadless Valley for local people to use, to hold local events and to act as a safe natural play spaces for children, helping them to engage with nature.
Further details of the design, how it links to the wider landscape of Gleadless Valley are available to view, as well as information on why it is important to create safe spaces for children to play.
If you are a local resident, this survey is your chance to give feedback on the plans for Spotswood Road green space - by taking part in the survey, you can help ensure a great new green space that the community will enjoy.
Share your thoughts on water with the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission
There is a huge amount of planning and infrastructure to ensure that every home in Yorkshire and the Humber has clean drinking water, but there are increasing pressures on supply, exacerbated by our changing climate.
The Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission’s latest survey, which is all about water, considers not only the impact of quality and supply issues on people and the environment, but also the increased flood and drought risk in our region.
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