 Now live: Sheffield Climate Investments
Sheffield Climate Investment is a new community-backed municipal investment scheme designed to bring together residents, businesses and the Council to fund practical, local climate projects.
These projects will support Sheffield’s ambitions for People, Prosperity and Planet, improving quality of life, boosting green economic growth, and protecting the environment for generations to come.
Investments are long term and may be hard to sell. Approver: Abundance (525432). Text approval date: 02/12/2025
 Primary schools to benefit from Government solar panel funding
Six Sheffield schools have been selected to receive funding as part of a government scheme to install solar panels on their roofs. This initiative will save them money and will help to reduce their carbon footprint. The scheme has selected schools and colleges with buildings that are able to accommodate solar panels in areas most in need.
A new strategy will be brought to the Council's Housing Policy Committee for approval on Thursday 4th December.
If approved, it will allow solar panels to be installed on suitable council homes to test the most effective funding and delivery models. These homes would be monitored for carbon savings, bill reductions, and tenant satisfaction, and used as evidence to access more funding.
The past two months have seen a variety of achievements in the city’s progress towards more sustainable travel, including celebrations of schools and nursery success in encouraging safe and healthy travel to school and new electric vehicle chargers in residential areas.
The £1.4m Species Survival Project is continuing to enhance habitats in the Shire Brook Valley and the site now attracts more visitors than ever before!
Recent projects have focused on improving natural flood management and increasing biodiversity. There are plans for wildlife cameras to be installed to see what species use the sites. Paths and signage are being improved, and surveys and other conservation work is taking place.
Involving the local community has been key, with small grants supporting bird and hedgehog box schemes, and volunteer-led habitat work across the wards.
All of this helps support Sheffield’s Ecological Emergency response and sustainability goals.
A recent visit by the National Lottery Heritage Fund highlighted the project’s success, which is on track for completion in March 2026.
 Tree planting in Sheffield parks
Over the October half-term, Parson Cross Park and Longley Park came alive with community spirit as volunteers came out to plant new specimen trees. These events were organised by Sheffield City Council’s Community Forestry team and are a fantastic example of how the local community can help improve and take ownership of their green spaces. A big thank you to all the volunteers who made these events possible. Together, we’ve not only increased tree cover but also created habitats for wildlife and improved the parks for future generations.
The Day One Group, supported by the Youth Voice and Influence Service (Community Youth Services), has won the Creative Arts Group Award at the Sheffield Youth Awards 2025. The judges praised the group’s powerful use of art to challenge societal issues around climate change, spark meaningful conversations, and encourage positive change across Sheffield. This achievement reflects the dedication and creativity of the young people involved, and we’re so proud of their efforts. Congratulations to all winners and nominees for making Sheffield a brighter, fairer, and more inclusive city - and thank you to everyone who helped make this possible.
Warm Homes Sheffield
Sheffield City Council’s Housing Energy Efficiency Team have launched a new website helping Sheffield residents to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. On the website, you can find:
- introductory guides and videos to help you to make your home warmer and save money.
- details of new and existing grant funding schemes.
- how to get personalised support with rising energy bills and the cost-of-living crisis.
Cycle hangar spaces filling up fast
In December 2024, we asked communities in Sheffield to suggest locations for residential cycle parking, and we received over 200 requests. This October, we installed 12 new Bikehangars - and spaces are filling up fast.
Bikehangars offer secure, long-term parking for up to six bikes. They’re ideal for people who don’t have space at home or find it difficult to store a bike. They make cycling easier and more convenient, whether commuting for work or exploring the city by bike. This helps to reduce traffic congestion and gives people without cars a great way to get around.
You can rent a space for £72 a year through one of our partners.
Become a Climate Ambassador
Volunteer as a Climate Ambassador and support the education sector to reduce its climate impact and become more resilient!
The Climate Ambassadors scheme is looking for individuals who can volunteer their time (minimum of one day a year) to support climate action and sustainability in education settings. The support you offer can range from short-term activities or advice to long-term support as a change agent. This can be in-person or online, with one or more educational settings of your choice. You will receive a free DBS check, safeguarding and Climate Ambassador training, as well as resources and support from the regional hub team.
Go to the expression of interest form below to get involved, or contact the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Hub team for further information.
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.
Help shape the Business and Economy Decarbonisation Routemap
Sheffield City Council is developing a practical plan to help local businesses stay competitive, resilient, and ready for future opportunities. This routemap will drive a collective decarbonisation transition across Sheffield’s business community, with support from partner organisations. This will contribute to the wider Decarbonisation Routemap for Sheffield (published chapters can be found here).
Whether your business is just beginning its decarbonisation journey or already making strides, your insights are vital. We’re inviting businesses of all sizes and sectors to help shape a plan that is practical, inclusive, and impactful.
Your feedback will directly inform the Routemap and the support available to businesses like yours.
Please also share the survey link with your network! Your support will help us reach as many businesses as possible, which is essential for creating a plan that truly meets the needs of businesses.
Low Carbon Grant energy and cost saving support
Business Sheffield’s Low Carbon Grant is helping local organisations cut energy use, reduce costs and reinvest savings where it matters most.
Excel Martial Arts, a Sheffield-based CIC, used the grant to install solar panels on their new facility at a time when rising energy bills were creating financial pressure.
The solar panels now save around £5,000 a year and are expected to pay for themselves within four years. These savings allow the team to reinvest more into their facilities, staff and community.
The Low Carbon Grant is still open to Sheffield businesses, offering funding for energy-saving upgrades such as solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, and heating systems, alongside a free energy survey and support from a low carbon advisor.
Let Zero support for landlords
The Let Zero service is helping South Yorkshire landlords and tenants enhance energy efficiency in their private rental properties. Let Zero offers valuable support and expertise to help make privately rented properties warmer, healthier, and more energy efficient, as well as compliant with proposed policy changes.
National Lottery Awards for All England – Environment Fund
Funding of between £300 and £20,000 for up to two years available for community-led projects that improve the environment and help people connect with and enjoy nature where they live.
Suitable for: voluntary, statutory or community organisations.
Apply by Wednesday 17th December 2025.
NPower Community Fund 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.
Climate Action Fund – Our Shared Future
This large fund from The National Lottery Community Fund supports partnerships to run long-term projects that encourage communities to take climate action, and to connect climate action to everyday life.
Fund applications close 17th December 2025.
Environmental book signing with Jonathon Porritt
6.30 - 8.30pm, Mon 8 December
Dorothy Fleming Lecture Theatre, Charles Street Building, 133 Charles St, Sheffield S1 2ND
Jonathon Porritt introduces his new book which asks: "What good are science and rational persuasion if no one is paying attention?"
For more than fifty years Jonathon Porritt has been campaigning for the environment and social justice, while simultaneously advising governments, businesses and NGOs. The author of many highly respected books, he still believes that it is 'not too late' to avoid climate breakdown. But the thrust of this book, Love, Anger & Betrayal, is that very soon it will be.
The Great Northern Fruit Moot 2026
10am – 4pm, Friday 13th February 2026
St Mary's Church, Bramall Lane, Sheffield.
The Great Northern Fruit Moot is an annual grassroots event dedicated to bringing together fruit growers, particularly those from Northern England, for a day of learning, networking, and the exchange of fruit tree scions. This year it is being hosted by Regather and Sheffield Fruit Trees. Register your interest below.
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.
Have your say on buses in your area
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) are bringing buses back under public control. They want to hear from residents about how they can design better and more accessible buses.
Find out more and have your say via the button below. The survey closes on 15th December 2025.
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We would love to hear about your experience to improve our newsletter. Have you used any of our information to get funding or attend an event? Click on the button below to send us an email.
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