Updates from Going Green Together - Issue #15
Environmental news, events and opportunities for December
Welcome to this month’s Going Green Together newsletter. Our campaign supports VCSE organisations in the North East and Cumbria on their journey towards Net Zero.
Latest from Going Green Together
Applications have just closed for the current round of Become Green Together. If you weren’t able to make an application in time but would still like to take part, please do get in touch.
Our Climate and Carbon Literacy training sessions continue with new dates in January and February. Find out more and see the available courses through the website of our training partners CAfS.
We’re also pleased to announce our Act Green Together partnerships are underway. This programme was created to help organisations across the North East and Cumbria develop new projects to tackle the climate crisis. You can find out more about Act Green Together and the organisations taking part on our blog.
If you have any events coming up and you'd like us to come along to give a presentation about the Going Green Together campaign, drop us an email at hello@goinggreentogether.org.
Carry out a simple energy audit
Carrying out a simple audit of your building can help you identify the most effective options of energy efficiency improvements, and take some steps to improve energy efficiency. There are a range of low cost measures you can make as well as more expensive improvements that you could seek funding for.
Read more on the Going Green Together website.
How to have an eco-Christmas - Durham Wildlife Trust
Whether you celebrate a big family Christmas, or you just give out a few cards to your friends and neighbours to wish them a happy time, Durham Wildlife Trust have compiled some quick tips for a greener Christmas. Read more.
Top tips for helping wildlife this winter - Northumberland Wildlife Trust
As the weather turns colder, Northumberland Wildlife Trust is urging members of the public to follow its Top Eight Tips for helping garden wildlife, from putting out food to preserving hedges. Read more.
Little tangible progress for nature at COP27 as the world heads to Montreal next month - Tess Valley Wildlife Trust
The nature and climate crises are two sides of the same coin, and one cannot be solved without tackling the other. As the gavel finally rested on a deal at COP27, and with just a handful of weeks until the international biodiversity conference in Montreal, Tees Valley Wildlife Trust reviewed COP27’s key outcomes for nature. Read more.
Middlesbrough Climate Action forum
Wednesday 7th December, 10-11am, Middlesbrough
This month’s Middlesbrough Climate Action Forum takes place at the Acklam Green Centre in Whinney Banks, with guest speaker Matthew Milner from Food Cycle. Climate-friendly cakes and refreshments will be available. No booking necessary. Read more.
A different solution: solar PV without the upfront cost
Wednesday 7th December, 1-1.45pm, online
Find out about how you can benefit from solar panels on your roof that are owned and maintained by Baywind Energy Co-operative. This webinar explores how Cumbrian organisations can benefit from solar photovoltaic (PV) panels without having to pay anything upfront. Book today.
Tree planting event
Saturday 10th December, 10am-12noon, Cowgate
Join Northumberland Wildlife Trust and Newcastle City Council for a community tree planting event as part of the North East Community Forest. Book today.
January Carbon Literacy training
Tuesday 17th and 24th January, 9.15am to 1.15pm, online
Delve into the causes of climate change and what we can do about it. Boost understanding with this in-depth accredited course from the Going Green Together partnership, available at a discounted rate of 50% off. Read more and register through the CAfS website.
Next monthly peer support session
Wednesday 7th December, 4pm-5pm, online
Join our peer support session to meet other organisations on their journeys towards Net Zero, to share opportunities and discuss challenges.
We hope to see you there! Join the session.
Dates for the diary
December climate campaigns:
World Soil Day, Monday 5th December
International Mountain Day, Sunday 11th December
Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date and see what actions your organisation can take to get involved.
The cross-sector collaboration providing a response to the climate emergency - Net Zero North East England
Net Zero North East England has launched to accelerate the region’s contribution to a greener economy and inspire action to decarbonise the economy from business, communities and institutions across the region. The new collaboration between local government, business, education, the public sector and civil society is designed to provide a joined-up and immediate regional response to the climate emergency. To find out more, visit netzeronortheastengland.co.uk.
Keep Warm, Keep Well community grant - Believe Housing
The Keep Warm, Keep Well community grant is a new fund to assist communities in County Durham with projects addressing the Energy and Cost of Living crises. Find out more and apply through the Believe Housing website.
Wild landscape in Lake District designated as ‘super’ national nature reserve - Independent
Wild Ennerdale, covering more than 7,400 acres of water, forests and mountains in the Lake District, has been designated as one of England’s first super national nature reserves (NNR). Read more through the Independent.
50 reasons to be positive about reaching Net Zero in the UK - Digital Leaders
The Net Zero 50 List highlights innovation and best practise from organisations already tackling the climate emergency. Read more through the Digital Leader website.
Everyone’s Environment: Social charities can and must empower people now to find environmental solutions that work for them - NPC
NPC are launching their new Everyone’s Environment programme with over 30 social and environmental charities to put people at the heart of confronting the climate and nature crises. Liz Gadd shares how and why social charities should empower people now to find environmental solutions that work for them. Read more on the NPC website.
50 tips to save money on energy bills - Friends of the Earth
Friends of the Earth have collated 50 of the best energy-saving tips to help you save money on gas and electricity and make your home more energy efficient. Read more on their website.
And finally... join us
Join the Going Green Together movement today – to learn, take your first steps in climate action, and share your successes with the community to help inspire others. Connect with us and others by joining our network.
Visit our website - Home - Going Green Together
Meet, learn and connect - Join our Meetup group
Tweet us - Follow us on Twitter
Read the latest news - Check out and subscribe to the blog.
Going Green Together is a VONNE Climate Action Alliance initiative hosted by VONNE. Registered Company in England Number: 4061592. Registered Charity Number: 1084083