In December, the Strategy and Resources committee agreed to add Sheffield City Council’s name to those who have signed the Local Climate Bond Pledge and, as part of that promise, we will be offering people and businesses the chance to invest in projects that help to tackle climate change.
Expected to launch within the next 18 months, the Local Climate Bond will give residents and businesses the chance to invest a minimum of £5 into projects headed up by the Council with the aim of working towards the city’s decarbonisation goals and tackle the impact of climate change.
 Big Darnall Tree Plant
The Sheffield City Council Community Forestry Team, with funding from Trees for Cities, have been busy planting trees in the Darnall ward over the winter. Highlighted as an area of low tree equity by the Woodland Trusts tree equity map, the project looks to address this. Working alongside the local community, over 90 individual trees will be planted before the end of March, improving parks and housing land in Darnall for future generations. Further information about community tree plant opportunities is available by emailing the Community Forestry Team or on their eventbrite.
Transformation of natural habitats in full swing in South East Sheffield
 In 2024, Sheffield City Council was successful in securing a grant of more than £1 million, which is now being used to improve natural ecosystems in Shire Brook Valley Nature Reserve and neighbouring sites, covering over 400 acres. In South Yorkshire, mammals like harvest mice, bats and hedgehogs; reptiles, amphibians and birds including barn owls, skylarks, swifts and kingfishers, will benefit from enhancement to their habitats, thanks to the funding.
 Credit Greg Hewitt, Sheffield Action on Plastics
Helping people and businesses to reduce their plastic use
Up to 12 million tonnes of plastic enters the ocean, with 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals are killed by plastic every year. Sheffield might be one of the furthest away from the sea but one community organisation is stepping up to do their bit to make a difference.
Sheffield Action on Plastic was set up in 2023 to work with the Sheffield community to reduce single-use plastics. Since then, the group has engaged and encouraged hundreds of people to make plastic free swaps in their lifestyle, as well as preventing over 1,000 disposable cups from ending up in the environment or in incineration, through their Reusable Cup Hire Scheme.
Around 100+ million plastic cups are used every year at UK festivals and live events, and most of these are incinerated or sent to landfill. Sheffield Action on Plastic own hundreds of reusable cups that are hired out to business and community events, where they are collected, washed at Sheffield Theatres and used over and over again. For every 1 million reusable event cups in regular use, 1000 tonnes of C02e emissions and 300 tonnes waste could be avoided.
If you are part of an organisation that runs events, Sheffield Action on Plastic would love you to hire their cups!
In 2024, Sheffield Action on Plastic ran two Plastic Free Markets, offering a one-stop shop for the public to purchase plastic free artisan gifts and zero waste essentials through their Plastic Free Markets. These events have evolved into the Sheffield Sustainable Markets, which this year run on 26th April and 22nd November at Victoria Hall in the city centre. Stall applications are currently open if you know a sustainable maker/crafter!
Individual and collective actions all add up and we can all play our part to reduce single-use plastics.
Sheffield Action on Plastic is also keen to recruit more volunteers to help save more plastic in Sheffield.
Opportunities for individuals
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 cycle training and 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. A variety of free cycle training options are also available, including regular group sessions and 121 and buddy schemes.
Green skills for people in work
The Sheffield College have a 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 available for not for profit organisations
The npower Business Solutions Foundation 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.
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.
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 have the opportunity to share a short article 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!
Can you lead and develop decarbonisation programmes that will drive forward Sheffield's climate action? Are you able to build strong and effective partnerships across diverse organisations to support our climate goals? Sheffield City Council is recruiting for a temporary Sustainability Programme Officers and would love to hear from you (the advert is due to be published on Monday 3rd February).
Have your say
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 roll-out 14 new cycle hangars this summer. Providing secure cycle spaces will make it easier for people to travel by bike. We’ve received over 130 requests for hangars through our interactive map, in addition to previous requests across over 70 streets.
If you would like a cycle space, add a pin to the interactive map. Your street will be reviewed and prioritised alongside other locations. Spaces are currently available in Crookes and Walkley through Falco’s Rental site.
Net zero for your business: myths and realities, Thursday 6th February, 9.30 - 12.00, online
A virtual workshop hosted by Business Sheffield covering:
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How to define net zero, zero carbon, and carbon neutrality (and others): What these terms mean and why it’s important to understand the differences.
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Business drivers for carbon management: The various reasons businesses are managing carbon emissions – and the benefits of doing so.
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Relevant standards: What they mean, how to identify the right accreditation for your business, and what’s involved in achieving these standards.
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Greenwashing: Understanding what you can and cannot claim, along with some cautionary tales.
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How to start: A practical introduction to completing a carbon footprint and creating a carbon management plan for your business.
This event is fully funded for Sheffield businesses but places are limited so book your place soon.
Green Finance UK 2025, Thursday 6th March, 9.00 - 18.00, Mercure St Paul's Hotel
Sheffield is delighted to be hosting The Sustainability Community's inaugural Green Finance UK Conference, a nationally focused one-day event dedicated to connecting leaders from across the public and private sector, driving forward the green economy and raising awareness of green finance options for businesses to maximise on the opportunities in the Net Zero Economy.
Education Climate Leaders’ Conference, Thursday 6th March, 9.30 - 15.30, Sheffield Hallam University
Aimed at climate leaders of all kinds working in education and early years in South Yorkshire, this fully funded conference will support education settings, schools and trust leaders to understand the benefits of a sustainability leadership and climate action plans, support to develop a plan and identify opportunities to support their settings in taking action on climate change, sustainability and biodiversity.
Sustainability Netwalking events, Wednesday 19th February, 09:15, Hillsborough Park
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 on Wednesday 19th February at Hillsborough Park at the Parkside Road entrance near the large car park.
People, Planet, Pint, Thursday 13th February, 18:00 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.
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