Announcing a Foundation for change

The Northwest is striking out to be a low carbon pioneer in the UK with the launch of Foundation, a climate fund for the Northwest, which will deliver £1m per year for local, community based carbon-reducing projects.

Called ‘Foundation’, the fund is being established to give individuals and businesses the opportunity to donate to local community projects across the region that are helping to combat climate change, whilst advancing social justice and tackling problems like fuel poverty.

Money raised will be spent on carbon reduction projects ranging from insulation, solar panels and wind turbines, to biological carbon sinks like peat bogs.

Managed by Groundwork Northwest, chaired by United Utilities and with an initial investment of £1.6m from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), Foundation has a target to raise an additional £3m in donations over the next three years.

Energy and Climate Change Minister, Joan Ruddock, said:

“I am hugely impressed by the leadership being shown by the NWDA and Groundwork, which shows the commitment to fighting climate change at all levels across the UK. The work being done in the Northwest should be seen as an example to everyone of what we need to be doing to meet our ambitious emissions reduction targets.

“During the current economic difficulties it is important that we look after the most vulnerable in our society and I am particularly pleased to see a central theme of Foundation’s work is helping households reduce their bills by introducing energy efficiency measures.”

Foundation projects will be selected based on an ability to demonstrate their carbon savings, whilst projects that otherwise struggle to find support elsewhere will be prioritised. Projects will not simply be selected for their pound per carbon saving ratio, rather innovative projects that tackle issues like fuel poverty or biodiversity will be given priority.

Mark Turner, Chief Officer of Foundation, Groundwork Northwest, said:

“Foundation will make a significant impact across the Northwest, helping the region to tackle climate change. All the projects supported will also deliver a wide range of social and economic benefits – improving the standard of living and quality of life, often in some of the most deprived parts of the region.

“Groundwork helps communities change their places for the better – and Foundation will provide another way of creating that change. We will back projects that work closely with communities to address issues including fuel poverty and energy efficiency. We also want to stimulate local economies and job markets, so where possible, we encourage the use of products and suppliers sourced within the region.”

Foundation is available to community groups and organisations and those wishing to find out more can visit www.climatefund.org.uk or more information or call the Foundation team on 0161 237 3200.