Updates from Going Green Together - issue #28
Environmental news, events and opportunities for January 2023
Latest from Going Green Together
Start 2024 greener by signing up to our January events! Join our introductory climate science webinar with SmartCarbon on Wednesday 17th January to learn what is the climate crisis, and how will it impact us?
On Tuesday the 30th January we’re also holding a workshop and networking day about building climate-conscious organisations, in partnership with Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. This is a great opportunity to get environmental guidance through workshops on governance, community engagement, and practical steps for sustainability.
We’ll also soon be migrating this newsletter to integrate it with the rest of VONNE’s mailings, but not to worry! We’ll keep you on the list for all future Going Green Together emails. If you’ve got any questions, get in touch at hello@goinggreentogether.org.
Environmental resources
Have you looked at our resource page yet? We’ve been updating our resource page to provide you with downloadable templates and guides, including an updated glossary, and a toolkit for working from home sustainably.
Free independent energy assessments for VCSEs — Groundwork
Groundwork have launched a scheme to help voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations in England improve their energy efficiency through a funded Independent Energy Assessment (IEA). Find out more and apply through their site.
Launch of the Westmorland & Furness Green Enterprise Hub — CAfS
CAfS and partners are celebrating a funding boost to establish a pioneering business decarbonisation hub. The initiative aims to bolster the sustainability efforts of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), charities, community businesses, and social enterprises in Westmorland & Furness. Read more through the CAfS website.
Northumberland’s solar-powered community buildings project featured at London conference — CAN
The National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise hosted a conference at the Shard in London highlighting rural innovation and enterprise. The Northumberland project, which is putting solar panels and battery storage into a range of community buildings, was featured as an example of innovation. Read more and watch the short film via CAN’s website.
FareShare statement on COP28 — FareShare
FareShare have released a statement on the outcome of COP28, particularly regarding the progress made to bring food systems across the globe in line with climate targets. FareShare also indicates how the UK government can get up to speed in tackling the challenge of food waste and food poverty. Read more through their website.
What is the climate crisis, and how will it impact us? — Going Green Together
Wednesday 17th January, 11am – 12 noon, online
Join this webinar to expand your understanding of the climate crisis and how it impacts organisations. SmartCarbon will share why it's important for organisations to take action, and what this action looks like. Register through the VONNE website.
North East community forest public tree planting — Northumberland Wildlife Trust
Friday 19th January, 1pm – 3pm, Ouseburn Farm
Join NWT, Ouseburn Farm, and Newcastle City Council for a community tree planting event as part of the North East Community Forest. Book your place through NWT’s website.
Why words matter: a new way to speak about climate change — ACT Climate Labs
Wednesday 24th January, 1pm – 2pm, online
How can we make the topic of climate change more approachable and less daunting? This event is ideal for campaigners, comms teams at NGOs and charities, and marketing or advertising professionals in sustainable industries. Sign up through Eventbrite.
Building a climate-conscious organisation — Community Foundation
Tuesday 30th January, 9.30am-1.30pm, Wallsend
This event will involve workshops on climate and governance, community engagement, and advice for small organisations from Going Green Together, Community Foundation, and guest speakers Joanne Appleby of OASES and Olly Armstrong, followed by networking. Book your place through Ticket Tailor.
Climate campaigns
Veganuary, Monday 1st to Wednesday 31st January
Big Garden Bird Watch, Friday 26th to Sunday 28th January
Discover how your local area ranks for tree equity — Tree Equity Score UK
Trees are essential to public health and wellbeing, yet not everyone has good access to trees and their benefits where they live. Tree Equity Score UK is a map-based application that was created to help address disparities in urban tree distribution. Find out more through their online tool.
Tees Valley chosen as location for new community forest — Tees Valley Combined Authority
Tees Valley has been selected as one of two new locations nationally to establish a Community Forest, delivering a major boost to tree planting across the area. This will increase and improve green spaces across the area and deliver high quality woodlands with enhanced public access. Read more online.
How small organisations can take action on climate change — Charity Digital
Read Charity Digital’s blog post on how small organisations can have an impact in tackling the climate crisis, from choosing sustainable suppliers to embracing flexible working.
Addressing modern slavery in solar PV supply chains — Action Sustainability
The solar PV industry is vulnerable to forced labour — a form of modern slavery. Imported solar PV is at risk of containing materials produced using modern slavery. You can download Action Sustainability’s digital procurement guide to mitigate this supply chain risk through their website.
Bridging the ESG skills gap — Open University
Read an interview on how organisations can bridge the Environmental, Social, and Governance skills gap with Victoria Hands, the OU’s Director of Sustainability, and sign up to a short course in sustainability through the Open University.
The environmental cost of generative AI — Charity Digital
Read Charity Digital’s article on the carbon footprint of generative AI and ways to mitigate this particular risk of using this technology.
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.
Going Green Together is a VONNE Climate Action Alliance initiative hosted by VONNE. Registered Company in England Number: 4061592. Registered Charity Number: 1084083