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Environment and greener living
Communities: ways to be greener
Community groups, clubs, societies or parish councils can take action together for the environment. You can get involved in decisions about your local area. You can also make your meetings more environmentally friendly by choosing greener options for food, drink and travel.
1. Have your say in planning, housing and your local environment
Being part of a community group can be a great way to get involved in decisions about the area where you live. Your group could have a say about new developments like new open spaces, roads or industrial sites.
Sustainable Community Strategies
A Sustainable Community Strategy is a plan developed locally in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations, and local businesses. Plans include goals and actions for your local area. As a community organisation, you can get involved.
Parish Plans
Parish Plans cover the social, economic and environmental issues relevant to your local area. As a community group, you have the chance to influence your local Parish Plan and how your local area and services are managed. You can also get involved in consultations about local developments.
2. Make your community sustainable
A sustainable community is a place where you want to live and work now and in the future. It’s a new way of building homes and includes creating affordable and social housing, reclaiming streets and improving public places.
Support your town centre
Using shops and businesses in your high street helps keep town centres safe and lively, especially at night. Too many out of town shopping centres can make the high street feel empty and rundown.
Be proud of your green spaces
High quality green spaces help your community get along better by providing a place for:
- local people to share that's accessible, safe and healthy
- sports and other outdoor activities
- local people to potentially work on their skills
If you're proud of your local green spaces you can ask your council to try for the Green Flag award. This is the national quality standard for parks and green spaces. If you manage a green space yourself, you could see if you are eligible for an award.
3. Make your group meetings greener
Being part of a group means you can do things on a bigger scale
Everyone can take simple actions to reduce their impact on the environment - like recycling more, saving energy or cutting car use. Being part of a group means you can do things on a bigger scale and have a wider influence.
Taking steps to reduce your group’s environmental impact also helps to raise awareness about environmental issues. You could try taking this message to your community and local council, to get environmental changes happening on a bigger scale.
There are several simple things you can do to make your club or community group greener.
Greener food and drink options
Food has a large impact on the environment, but the following actions could help:
- encourage your group or club to stock food that is fresh, locally in season, Fairtrade, or has been produced with respect for wildlife and the environment
- use mugs or glasses instead of disposable cups
- set up a compost bin, or arrange a collection, for kitchen waste
- encourage recycling of waste such as paper and plastic
- grow your own food together on a community allotment
Greener travel options
Changing the way club or group members travel can reduce climate change effects and local air pollution. You could consider:
- walking, cycling or using public transport
- car sharing instead of driving alone
- organising secure cycle storage to encourage cycling
4. Find out about schemes that could help you
Every Action Counts helps groups take environmental action
There are many schemes that exist to give support to community groups:
Every Action Counts
Every Action Counts offers support to community groups and clubs, helping you to take environmental action. The Every Action Counts website has:
- ideas, games and activities on themes including travel, saving resources and shopping ethically
- information on Every Action Counts Community Champions in your area who could help your group
- practical case studies and space for your group to submit its own success story on environmental action
The initiative focuses on five main themes: travelling wisely, saving resources, shopping ethically, saving energy and caring for the environment.
Community Action for Energy
Community Action for Energy (CAfE) promotes and supports local community-based energy saving projects. CafE is run by the Energy Saving Trust and is aimed at local groups wanting to save energy and improve quality of life within their community. The website below provides more information including where you can find funding and training.
EcoTeams
EcoTeams is a project run by an organisation called Global Action Plan. They bring together a group of people to make small changes to reduce their environmental impact. The Global Action Plan website can tell you more about how to start an EcoTeam (there is a charge for the materials).
The Community Action Network
The Community Action Network (CAN) provides support for social entrepreneurs and enterprises.
