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Welcome to our November newsletter, containing all the latest environmental news and updates from across West Sussex.
 A natural flood management project in Upper Beeding is the first to benefit from the county council's overall planned £2.5 million investment in nature recovery. The Adur Adaptation Project, led by the Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust, will receive £100k over five years to help reduce flood risk and improve river health.
Working alongside the Environment Agency, the project aims to cut peak water flows by 10% using natural solutions like ‘leaky dams’, simple structures made from logs and branches that slow water flow.
This initiative supports the council’s wider £10m environmental investment and aligns with our new Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, which prioritises nature-based approaches in high-risk areas like the Upper Adur; and falls under the nature and environment pathway of our Climate Action and Adaption Plan.
Deborah Urquhart recently visited the area to help volunteers with the creation of a ‘leaky dam’, alongside the county council’s Leader, Paul Marshall (right), and Chief Executive, Leigh Whitehouse (left).
Find out more about the Adur Adaptation Project, including volunteering opportunities.
 Did you know that the UK uses around 550 million metal aerosol cans every year? From hairspray and deodorant to furniture polish and oven cleaners, aerosols are everywhere in our homes – and the good news is, empty aerosol cans can be recycled at home!
Yet, according to a recent survey, 22% of residents in West Sussex didn’t know this!
How to check if your aerosol can is empty?
Use the Spray, Squirt, Shake method:
- Spray – No hiss and nothing comes out? It’s empty
- Squirt – Nothing squirts out? It’s empty
- Shake – No sloshing sound? It’s empty
If it is empty, pop it in your recycling bin. If it’s not, take it to your local Recycling Centre and let staff know – they’ll ensure safe disposal!
 Extreme weather such as storms and cold snaps are becoming more frequent due to climate change and can result in disruption to power, water and other services.
Older people – particularly those who are not online or who live alone – can be more quickly and severely affected when services are disrupted.
The Sussex Resilience Campaign aims to help older people across Sussex who are not online, and those who support them, take practical steps to be ready for whatever winter brings.
These situations are rare, but being prepared means they can feel confident and in control.
Taking three simple steps now will help you be ready for whatever winter brings:
- Join the Priority Services Register – free extra support for those who need it
- Pack a “just in case” bag – having some essentials to hand makes all the difference
- Know who you can call – write a list of key numbers to keep with your bag
For more information on staying safe in emergencies, call 0800 998 7103 for free or visit the Sussex Police webpage below.
Please help by discussing the 3 steps with friends of family who may not have digital access.
Extreme weather and raised air pollution can have a negative effect on health and on homes. Take the opportunity to prepare yourself by receiving an email alert when extreme weather or raised air pollution is forecast in West Sussex. Alerts are issued for:
- Extreme heat
- Extreme cold
- Storms
- Flooding
- Raised air pollution
Alerts also include guidance on what to do to prepare for events, helping you protect your health and your homes.
 We were proud to support Carbon Literacy Action Day last week (13 November). It's a worldwide initiative focused on building knowledge and inspiring practical action to tackle climate change. The day coincided with COP30 when global leaders met in Belém, Brazil to shape climate policy.
County council staff members took part in our in-house training to become Carbon Literate certified, joining a growing network of over 750 colleagues who have already been accredited and are contributing to reducing emissions across all council services.
This collective effort has already earned the county council ‘Bronze Carbon Literate Organisation’ status, and we’re aiming for ‘Silver’ accreditation soon. And, our Highways, Planning and Transport team has led the way by achieving ‘Silver’ accreditation, with 35% of its staff now certified Carbon Literate.
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing West Sussex. To meet this challenge, we need informed, empowered employees who understand how their decisions impact carbon emissions. The training is a priority action under the resources and influence pathway in our Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
- We’ve reached a million bus journeys with the 16 to 20 Bus Saver discount! To celebrate, we’re running a prize draw. Enter to win up to a year of free bus travel and keep your journeys green. You must be 16 to 20 years old to enter; terms & conditions apply.
- Development of the county council’s battery storage site at Halewick Lane, Sompting is on course for completion by the end of 2026. The former county council waste site, which has been vacant for more than a decade, will soon be home to a state-of-the-art, 16MW battery system capable of storing electricity and supplying it to the grid when it’s needed.
- The draft plan to help recover nature in West Sussex is still open for consultation until 26 November. There's still time to let us know your views to help shape our approach.
- Have your say on proposals to ease congestion and improve safety on two key Horsham routes, Rusper Road and Guildford Road. Share your views by Monday 22 December.
- If you live in Burgess Hill, we'd like your views on proposed local walking and cycling improvements in the Victoria Business Park area. The scheme is part of a programme to make cycling and public transport more attractive and accessible across the town.
- It's National Tree Week from 22 November to 30 November, celebrating trees and the start of the planting season. Visit the Tree Council's site to find local events, free online talks and webinars, resources, and guides.
- The countryside charity CPRE is looking for volunteers to join the Sussex Hedgerow Heroes on 25 to 26 November in Manhood Peninsular, Sidlesham, Chichester for a free hedgerow planting event.
- The National Energy Foundation is researching common myths around heat pumps and want to hear from those using this low carbon technology. Take part in the survey by 30 November to be offered a chance to win £500.
If you have any questions, or want to share local climate action stories, email us at climatechange@westsussex.gov.uk.
Join our community of climate champions and add a new map pin to our Community Climate Action Map.
Passionate about your local environment? Do you know someone who would like this newsletter? Please forward it to them so they can sign up using the link below.
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