 Opportunity Sheffield, the employment and skills service at Sheffield City Council, and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) hosted an event on Tuesday 17th September to raise awareness of Sheffield’s plan to fight climate change and the opportunities arising for individuals and businesses.
Sheffield is working towards an ambitious target of being a carbon net zero city by 2030. One of the steps being taken to achieve this goal is to reskill the city’s workforce to support the transition to net zero. With this in mind, Sheffield City Council and SYMCA have been supporting The Sheffield College to develop green skills provision, to include locally delivered retrofit and sustainability courses.
At the event, speakers from Veolia and E.ON shared plans to expand district heat networks in the city and talked about the procurement opportunities that local businesses can take advantage of. Other speakers from the council, Sheffield College, South Yorkshire Housing Association and Sustainability Support for Further Education (SS4SE) also shared information while ‘Meet the Buyer’ exhibitors gave guests a chance to discover innovative ways local authorities, training providers and businesses can work together.
Sheffield’s first Dutch style roundabout nears completion
 Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists will soon be able to get their first experience of Sheffield’s first-ever Dutch-style roundabout as the project nears completion. Located at West Bar, in front of the Emergency Services Museum, the roundabout will give priority to pedestrians and cyclists, making it safer and easier for people to get around the city in an active way, which may help reduce transport emissions if people switch from fossil-fuel powered cars to bikes or walking.
The improvements are being delivered as part of our wider plans to improve sustainable links between the City Centre and the Kelham and Neepsend area, supporting the increased numbers of people that live, work and visit the area as it continues to transform.
New planting and landscaping will be installed, linking into and extending the award-winning Grey to Green project, improving the environment for everyone. This will also include sustainable drainage to mitigate flood risk, helping to make our city more resilient.
The press release includes a link to the video about how a Dutch style roundabout works and we encourage readers to share with others.
 Sheffield City Council and Sheffield Hallam University are taking part in a student-led programme exploring the negative impacts of excessive consumption and encouraging school communities to lead happier, more sustainable lives.
The Good Life Schools programme will work with 11-18-year-olds in Sheffield from the start of the 2024-25 school year to develop a Good Life Charter for their school communities. Through long-term commitments to reduce consumption and improve wellbeing, the charter aims to create a culture of positive environmental changemaking and strengthen the relationship between schools and their local communities in support of a low carbon future.
 Tackling the climate emergency can save schools and early years settings money through reducing their energy costs, as well as giving great educational opportunities for children and helping protect children and staff from extreme weather caused by climate change.
Schools and early years providers are working to a government target of having a climate action plan in place by the end of 2025. One of the support programmes in place is Climate Ambassadors, a scheme which makes use of the expertise and enthusiasm of volunteers to support schools and early years settings to develop plans and apply for funding. The programme is currently recruiting individuals and organisations to help in Sheffield.
 Despite government targets, international alarm, and the widespread acknowledgement that the property sector must play its part in tackling global warming, no meaningful progress has been made in reducing emissions within the real estate and built environment sectors.
Don’t take my word for it, that’s the conclusion of the UK Environmental Audit Committee’s report titled ‘Building to net zero: costing carbon in construction’. We need a fundamental reassessment of investment priorities, recognising the role property and real estate has to play in addressing our environmental challenges.
Celebrating the leading lights
We saw fantastic examples of sustainable buildings and developments at the recent South Yorkshire Property Awards. I am proud to say that AESSEAL’s Factory for the Future in Rotherham was voted Sustainable Development of the Year. There were other great examples of excellence, including the ‘Outstanding Development of the Year’, Heart of the City, Sheffield, a multi-million pound investment by Sheffield City Council in the mixed-use development scheme which is transforming the city centre.
An important aspect of Heart of the City is Elshaw House, which captures the spirit of sustainable innovation and reflects the environmental, social and governance standards, credentials and sense of ambition of those that occupy the building.
Here we have two great examples, but this is just not enough. The climate crisis is already under way for the planet and a crisis waiting to happen for the property sector.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) data intelligence firm, Deepki, found in a major international survey that up to 20 percent of real estate portfolios were at risk of becoming stranded assets in the next three years due to poor energy performance. It found that the industry is already seeing the impact of brown discounting, with access to capital becoming increasingly difficult where ESG performance falls short’’.
So what next?
Property experts need to take the lead by using low-carbon materials and to produce more efficient, low-carbon designs, and to bring their clients along with them.
In this respect the AESSEAL Betterworld.Solutions knowledge-sharing project, started in Yorkshire but now with international support, is a good example to follow as it encourages industry from all sectors to exchange information and create their own environmentally friendly investment policy.
Is there room for the property sector in a Betterworld? I might suggest there is.
The Sheffield Property Association is committed to working collaboratively and in partnership with Sheffield City Council, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and with other stakeholders, as we collectively must address the challenges on the journey to net zero. In so doing we will all benefit from the important opportunities this will offer our city, our communities and our businesses.
The built environment touches all aspects of our lives, encompassing the buildings and factories we live and work in. Let us be rightly proud of the Factory for the Future, at the forefront of manufacturing and engineering and of Elshaw House, at the forefront of commercial development in Sheffield… but the clock is still ticking and we have much to do.
Martin McKervey
Chair of The Sheffield Property Association and Non-executive Director at AESSEAL
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.
Have you got the BetterPoints app?
BetterPoints 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 BetterPoints 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 BetterPoints app and use it to record journeys made on foot, by bike, in a wheelchair, or by bus, tram or train.
CycleBoost electric bike loan scheme
Electric bike loans for a month or more are available with the CycleBoost scheme. For a £75 charge per month, people can hire an electric bike, with charger, helmet, lock and pannier, and any repairs needed included in the cost.
Green skills for people in work
The Sheffield College have increased their range of green skills and sustainability short courses which have been created to offer adults in employment the opportunity to develop their knowledge in sustainable practices and technology.
Courses include a mixture of face-to-face and online learning, creating flexible qualifications in retrofit, sustainability and renewable technologies with an aim to provide the green skills of the future, supporting learners and employers with the transition to green economies and workforces.
Funding for community-based organisations to develop energy projects
The North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub are accepting applications for their Community Energy Fund until 13th October. Funding up to £100k is available to support the development of energy-focused projects that will benefit the local community.
Do you want to feature in the Sustainability and Climate Change Newsletter?
Our community article and events sections give the opportunity for Sheffield organisations and local people that are taking action to tackle climate change in the city to share their stories and events.
If you would like to write a short blog post about the practical action your or your community or organisation are involved in to reduce carbon emissions, tackle climate change and help the city become a green and resilient city, please get in touch, 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.
We are also happy to include information about events with a practical focus.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Have your say
South Yorkshire wants your views on the future of our local nature
Local authorities across South Yorkshire are seeking the views of residents, businesses, and community organisations on the development of its Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).
Led by South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, the LNRS will develop actions to drive nature’s recovery across South Yorkshire. It is one of 48 strategies being developed across the country after the Government called for combined and local authorities to work together to improve our natural world.
Have your say about recycling services
Councils across England are developing plans to make recycling simpler and easier for residents and to help the planet. In Sheffield, a ‘Simpler Recycling’ consultation on future waste and recycling services is live for residents to have their say.
Events
Retrofitting Sheffield: A people based approach
Friday 4th October 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at Rider Levett Bucknall, S1 2JA
SY Ecofit are building a network focused on enabling South Yorkshire to hit its net zero goals and making homes cosier and energy efficient. Over the summer months we've been talking to contractors, Housing Associations, training providers and other industry stakeholders and we are delighted to be hosting an event on Friday 4th October focused on what the people of Sheffield and South Yorkshire need.
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 at 9.15 a.m. on Wednesday 23rd October at Meersbrook Park at the entrance on the corner of Brook Road and Meersbrook Park Road.
Hold the date: Climate jobs conference
South Yorkshire Climate Alliance will be running a green jobs conference in Sheffield on Saturday 9th November. Further information available from SYCA soon.
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