Resources
The effect of climate change and the pressure on global resources is not just the responsibility of ‘environmental' organisations. There is a need for us all, as individuals, communities and voluntary and community groups to better understand what climate change means and how our actions and behaviour impacts on the environment.
Through the Local Environmental Action Fund, we hope to enable and inspire organisations that do not have an environmental focus, to better understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities connected with the growing pressures on global resources and climate change.
In our grant making, we encourage voluntary and community sector groups to think about the impact they have on the environment. Have a look at our 'Top Tips', which has some ideas and information on how your group can help the environment and perhaps save money as well. Click here to download our Top Tips leaflet.
We hope the links below will inspire you to think about how you can reduce your impact on the environment and respond to climate change. There are also links to other funding sources for environmental projects.
Environmental News Sources
environment guardian.co.uk - visit the website here
science & environment bbc.co.uk - visit the website here
environment journallive.co.uk - visit the website here
Breathing Spaces bbc.co.uk - visit the website here
Eco Toolkits and Supporting Materials
Arts Energy Toolkit - a self-assessment toolkit from Arts Council England. Visit the website here.
Sustainable Communities North East Toolkit - a collection of fact sheets that offers simple advice on how to make your own community more sustainable. Visit the website here.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Repair Directory - use BAN Waste's useful searchable online directory to help you reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. Viist the directory here
Federation for Community Development Learning - a source of training materials to help get the sustainable development message out to people through community groups. The packs can be downloaded from here.
Good Practice Information
City Bridge Trust - commissioned a programme of eco-audits of a cross-section of charities across London. The Greening the Third Sector report looks at the interim findings of the pilot study into the environmental performance of the Third Sector and reports on the eco audits. The Greening the Third Sector' report can be downloaded here
Tynedale Renewable Energy Trail - the Trail enables you to visit rural homes, businesses and community organisations across Tynedale that are already proving that technologies such as wind and solar power work and learn about the technologies. Visit the website here.
Energy North East - a useful resource for people interested in the global energy situation and how it affects the North East. Visit the website here.
Charities and Environmental Responsibility - a report that outlines findings from independent research commissioned by the Charity Commission. Read the report here.
Advice and Support
Every Action Counts - Advice and support to voluntary and community organisations which are looking to reduce their impact on the environment, . Visit the website here.
Community Action for Energy (CAfE) - a programme from the Energy Saving Trust designed to promote and facilitate local community-based energy projects. By joining for free you can keep up to date with news on community-based energy initiatives, as well as hearing about funding opportunities, training sessions and other news from the network. Visit the website here.
Community Renewable Energy (CoRE) - promotes opportunities for community groups to develop renewable energy systems and to provide them with knowledge, contacts and a vehicle to enable this to happen. Visit the website here.
ACME Climate Action - The website offers resources, films, campaigns, articles, downloads and tools are just ways to get you doing something about climate change. Visit the website here.
Agencies and Forums
Forestry Commission - the government department responsible for forestry. Alongside sustainably managing Forestry Commission forests, the organisation offers advice and grant aid for woodland management. Visit the regional website here
Natural England - an independent public body whose purpose is to protect and improve England’s natural environment and encourage people to enjoy and get involved in their surroundings. Visit the North East regional website here
Northumberland National Park Authority - responsible for the sustainable management of Northumberland National Park. Visit the website here.
North East Biodiversity Forum - a partnership of over 25 different organisations across the North East which hare a common interest in conserving and improving the biodiversity of the region. Visit the website here.
North East Climate Change Partnership - aims to investigate, inform and advise on the threats and opportunities that the impacts of climate change present for the North East of England. Visit the website here
Northumberland Renewable Energy Group - made up of public and private sector organisations from across the County that are involved or interested in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Visit the website here.
Northwoods - provides training, advice, information and support to communities and businesses working in with woodlands or products that come from them. Read more here.
One North East - find out how the Regional Development Agency is tackling environmental issues here.
Sustainable Development Commission - the Government's independent watchdog on sustainable development. Visit the website here.
Sustrans - the UK's leading sustainable transport charity. Vist the website here.
Strategies & Documents
North East Climate Change Adaptation Study - outlines the impact that climate change will have on our region and what we can do to prepare and adapt. Read the report here
Marine and Coastal Access Bill - this bill will ensure clean healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas, by putting in place better systems for delivering sustainable development of marine and coastal environment. Read more about the bill here
Information for Grantmakers and Donors
Environmental Funders Network - an informal network of trusts, foundations and individuals making grants on environmental and conservation issues. It also carries out research into patterns of environmental grant-making in the UK; The report Where the Green Grants Went 3 is available to download from the website. Visit the website here.
New Philanthropy Capital - Green philanthropy equips donors informs donors about environmental issues and outlines solutions charities are using to tackle them. The summary report can be downloaded from here.