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Sheffield has been selected by National Energy Action (NEA) as one of just two locations nationally to host a ‘retrofit hub’.
The two-year pilot project funded through Skipton Building Society will be based at the Sharrow Community Forum and service the local area, delivering face to face concentrated retrofit support to owners of low income, fuel poor homes. This will result in lower energy consumption and costs, make homes warmer and more comfortable, and help to resolve issues such as damp and mould.
The hub will link closely in to the ‘Warm Homes Sheffield’ offer (Warm Homes Sheffield) to maximise the opportunities for households to access funding support for retrofit.
Sheffield announced as Advanced Zoning Programme pilot
 The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) have announced Sheffield as one of six areas chosen to develop heat network zones as part of the Government’s Advanced Zoning Programme (AZP). A heat zone is a defined area within which heat networks provide the cheapest way to decarbonise heat supplied to buildings and the AZP aims to support the towns and cities in the construction of zonal scale heat networks as quickly as possible following the heat network zoning legislation coming into effect.
Sheffield’s zone will focus on the Don Valley area of the city, accessing low carbon and waste heat sources such as the biomass combined heat and power plant, mine water, waste water treatment works and industrial waste heat to provide affordable, decarbonised heat to businesses and creating skills and employment opportunities.
 The Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee has recently approved the Sheffield Land Climate Routemap, which has been developed in consultation with land focused organisations and major landowners in the city. The routemap sets the strategic framework for the action that is needed to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the city’s undeveloped land as well as to ensure that the land supports adaptation to the changing climate.
The City Centre Cycle Hub is now open, located within the multistorey car park on Charter Row. Part of Sheffield City Council’s Connecting Sheffield: City Centre project, the new facility has room for 140 standard cycles, plus ten spaces for cargo bikes, tandems and tricycles. The hub is accessible 24/7, even open Christmas Day and costs only £5 per month paid by Direct Debit and will increase secure bike storage across the city centre and offer people more choice in how they get around.
An onsite workshop will open in the new year.
 Plans to transform how people get to and from the city centre from Attercliffe and Darnall has been given a funding boost following the allocation of £23.68m from South Yorkshire’s Mayor.
 Sheffield Children’s University has launched a set of resources for schools, aimed at empowering children and young people to think critically about climate action as well as taking practical action to understand climate action. Developed by education experts from Sheffield Hallam University, and in partnership with Design Futures Packaging, this resource will help schools across South Yorkshire engage over 600 pupils in a fun, easy-to-deliver way, linked to life skills and the curriculum. The boxes are accessible to schools signed up to the Sheffield Children’s University and are proving hugely popular with schools.
 Image by Michaela Wenzler from Pixabay
Rainbow Meadow in Shire Brook Valley is now home to a host of new four-legged friends as we see the arrival of Highland cows and Dexter cows.
This project is funded by the Government's Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.
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 Sheffield is here for another year! Do you know anyone who would like to join the 16,000 who have already tried the app and earned points for making more walking, wheeling, cycling, and public transport trips? BetterPoints can be spent in local cafes, on Sheffield Gift Cards - or you can donate them to local charities. Over the past year, members have saved approximately 1,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions by driving less.
Look out for BetterPoints boosts for using the cycle hub and a bus and tram ticket promotion.
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.
Resident cycle parking facilities in Crookes and Walkley
Residents in Crookes and Walkley can already rent space in a secure cycle hangar at a cost of £72 per year and spaces are filling up fast. See the “Have Your Say” section of the newsletter for information on how to request cycle parking for your area.
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 a green economy.
Funding available for not for profit organisations
The npower Community Fund has grants of up to £100,000 available for not for profit organisations within 50m radius of their Leeds office, LS15 8ZA, with projects aiming to decarbonise and safeguard our world, support the growth of responsible businesses, promote social innovation or champion local skills or employment.
Net Zero Hub Energy Project Enabling Fund (EPEF) applications closing soon!
Through Round Three of this programme, capital grants of between £30,000 and £245,000 are available to community energy groups, public sector organisations, charities, and other eligible organisations wanting to deliver local energy projects.
Applications must be submitted by midnight on Sunday 8th December.
Retrofit support for community businesses
The Energy Resilience Fund is an initiative assisting community businesses in retrofitting their buildings with energy-saving measures. Community businesses are business which are run by local people for the benefit of the local community and are accountable to the community. Investments of between £10,000 and £150,000 are available.
Sheffield City Council consultations are published on Have Your Say Sheffield. We advertise relevant city centre and citywide consultations in the newsletter, and encourage you to take a look at the site for local consultations and updates on previous consultations.
Residential cycle parking
Sheffield City Council plans to expand residential cycle parking facilities in 2025 to make it easier for people in Sheffield to travel by bike. We’ll soon be setting up an interactive map but, in the meantime, if you want to request a cycle space on your street you can request one by email. Your street will be reviewed for suitability and prioritisation alongside other locations.
Private hire vehicle specification review
The Licensing Service is reviewing its private hire vehicle specification, including age limits.
Have your say: Private Hire Vehicle Specification Review | Have Your Say Sheffield
New Community Energy Projects: A Call to Action! Saturday 25 January 2025 (2:00 - 5:00 pm)
Hosted by Sheffield Community Energy at Cemetery Road Baptist Church
We are in a climate emergency! Now is the time to set up new community energy projects to retain control, power and benefits locally.
This event will give you the chance to create and join new community energy projects in Sheffield and the surrounding area.
Sustainability Netwalking, Endcliffe Park, Wednesday 18th December (9:15 - 10:30 am)
Sustainability Netwalking provides opportunities 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.
People, Planet, Pint, Thursday 12th December (6:00 pm onwards)
If you’re interested in meeting other sustainability-minded people for a pint or two, why not come to the December People, Planet, Pint meet-up at Triple Point Brewery? It’s an evening of networking and collaboration, talking about all things environment and sustainability.
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!
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