Low-carbon residents asked to come forward
25 June 2009
Residents who want to develop green projects to make life better in their neighbourhoods whilst saving money can get advice and help at a Manchester City Council event next week.
The CO2mmunity Challenge Event, held at Manchester Town Hall on Monday June 29, is open to any residents, schools or community groups who want to develop carbon saving projects, such as making community buildings more energy efficient, creating neighbourhood gardens, planting up allotment plots or setting up car-sharing schemes.
Staff at Manchester City Council as well as experts from organisations such as the Energy Saving Trust, North West Climate Fund and Action for Sustainable Living, will be on hand to give advice about how to get these projects off the ground, where to go for help and how to access funding.
There will also be examples of groups who have already developed low carbon projects to benefit their communities, such as the Hulme Energy Co-Op.
The CO2mmunity Challenge is the latest step in Manchester's goal of reducing its annual CO2 output by more than one million tonnes by 2020
The campaign is also part of the year-long Proud Of Manchester programme, which aims to celebrate life in the city's neighbourhoods whilst encouraging residents to take pride in their communities.
Councillor Richard Cowell, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for the Environment, said: "Climate change may seem like something very distant, but the action we take in Manchester can make a big difference, and local people hold the key to taking action.
"Some projects are already making a difference to communities, improving people's quality of life, helping them save money and also helping cut down on carbon emissions.
"Manchester residents have a real passion for improving their neighbourhoods, and we want to work with them to make this easier."
Anyone who wants to attend the event, held from 4-7.30pm, should contact Jon Littler on 0161 953 2733 or e-mail campaigns.team@manchester.gov.uk Creche facilities for children from 6 months to 11 years are available if booked in advance before 10am on Friday 26 June.
