Chesterfield sustainability

Solar panel interest soars in Chesterfield as residents and businesses choose sustainability

6th June 2024

Chesterfield has been named as one of the top 10 towns in the UK for interest in solar panels.

The number of residents showing interest in the products through internet searches is well above national levels, with an average of 3,860 monthly searches.

The research was compiled by The Federation of Master Builders (FMB), which examined the numbers to find out which places in the UK have seen the highest growth in interest in solar panels.

Across the UK, the average number of residents seeking to learn about solar panels sits at 2.8%, but in Chesterfield the monthly figure sits at 4.3% – the ninth best figure in the country.

Energy Saving Expert Hannah Holway at FMB, stresses how valuable solar panels can be to the average homeowner: “While the UK might not have many long, sunny days, that’s no reason not to install solar panels on your home.

“According to our own research, for the typical UK home, the cost of a solar panel system without will be around £7,000 and can amount to an average annual saving of almost £1,100. That means that in seven years, consumers will have paid their investment back in the savings made on energy.

“Not only that, the full 30-year lifespan of those panels will net approximately £33,000 in savings, or £26,000 after the initial investment is subtracted.

“It’s no surprise that many places in the UK are showing increased interest in solar panels!”

It isn’t just homeowners showing interest in Solar Panels. Many businesses in the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions have recently made the switch to improve their sustainability credentials.

Claire Wilks, Business Operations Manager at FWD Motion said: “Solar panels power our facilities, with plans for further expansion. This approach underscores our dedication to reducing our environmental impact and promoting sustainability.”

Ally Snee, Key Account Manager for SDE Group said: “We recently installed solar panels on our offices which has allowed us to remove gas from the building.”

Gareth Paradise, Health & Safety and Facilities Manager at Global Brands Ltd said: “We’ve recently invested in solar panels to take the bulk of our power demands. We constantly monitor power use and look to install devices and practices to reduce consumption.”

World Environment Day – Chesterfield Champions showcase sustainability initiatives

4th June 2024

World Environment Day 2024 (June 5th 2024) is just around the corner, and businesses across Chesterfield are marking the date by highlighting their latest green initiatives.

Whether they are cutting emissions or reducing waste, our network of Chesterfield Champions are working together to support the town’s ambitions of becoming net-zero by 2050.

Nick Catt, Destination Chesterfield Board Member and Director at Weightron Bilanciai commented: “Embracing sustainability isn’t just a responsibility for businesses, it’s an opportunity to showcase our town’s innovation. By integrating eco-friendly practices, we not only protect our environment but also enhance our communities.

“I’m pleased to see so many businesses in Chesterfield displaying sustainable success. It’s vital that public and private sector organisations continue to work towards net-zero across our town, which will help Chesterfield become an even better place to live, work, visit and invest.”

Want to find out how your business can be more sustainable? Get in touch with the Chesterfield Accelerator team by clicking here, or book onto the upcoming Carbon Literacy for SMEs Webinar.

Find out more below about how businesses in the town are going green to secure a more prosperous future for our community.

Bridget Bircumshaw – Teaching & Learning Quality Lead – Green Skills at Chesterfield College Group

In partnership with stakeholders, our students, staff, and apprentices are climate change ambassadors for the college and wider community. Our annual sustainability fair champions awareness through student-led, co-created, community projects, promoting sustainable materials, resources, and technologies.

These initiatives support carbon-footprint reduction, respect for the environment and green-skill behaviours needed in industry to protect our planet. Their voices drive our ambitious, flexible and innovative curriculum, #BeingLoudlyBrilliant empowering eco-leaders of the future.

Laura Jo Owen – ‘Queen of Joy and Sparkle’ at Adorn Jewellers Chesterfield

Adorn are committed to finding new ways to become more sustainable. Most recently, a sustainability focus has led us to promote our ‘circular packaging’.

Each piece of our jewellery is lovingly gift wrapped in our famous ‘little green bag’. Now our lovely customers can make each bag even more wonderful by returning it to be used again. The bag can be used as gift wrap again or in our displays.

Mark Johnson – Print Manager at FWD Motion

From solar panels, electric vehicles, pure water filters, biodegradable materials, and our very own nature garden, FWD Motion offers a greener agency solution for clients looking for eco-friendly, sustainable marketing services. We are especially excited about our new printer, which enables us to repurpose old signage and merchandise to prevent them from going to landfill.

Unlike solvent-based inks, its UV ink technology eliminates the need for laminates, reducing single-use plastic consumption and ensuring a longer lifespan for our vibrant print solutions.

Stephanie Weightman – Creative Director at Highlight Crafts

At Highlight Crafts we’re always looking for ways to be more sustainable. One of our recent changes has been the update of our packaging.

The original packaging included sealed plastic cello bags and while we always encouraged customers to reuse these bags, switching to paper envelope packaging ensures that the product is packaged safely, and ensures that when the customer is finished with the packaging, this can be recycled naturally.

Jane Cooper – Partner and the Head of Personal Injury at Graysons Solicitors

We take sustainability very seriously at Graysons. We are now very paper lite with a view to becoming paperless in the PI department – with other departments following suit.

We use electronic signature software to cut down on printing documents in all areas and we encourage conferences by remote means to reduce our carbon footprint. We recently moved to the more energy efficient Glass Yard premises.

Ross Chester – Sales & Marketing at The Embroidery Shed

At The Embroidery Shed, our efforts to be more sustainable are focused around minimising wastage in our manufacturing processes; We re-use our backing material offcuts where possible as well as adopt a zero-stock method, only holding stock for customer’s orders.

We also have an ECO Range with clothing made from sustainably sourced materials, such as organic cotton and recycled cotton and polyester.

Natalie Burkinshaw – Founder and Creative Director at Crush Design & Creative Marketing

Operating within an industry that has a long history of print-based solutions, we were early adopters of digital alternatives, ensuring our clients have sustainable options for their projects.

We’ve also made significant changes to our office set-up in the past two years, building an energy efficient studio which runs off a solar energy source, investing in electric vehicles along with ensuring our suppliers meet our sustainable goals for the future.

Abbi Holland – Head Receptionist at The Body Health Centre

Here at The Body Health Centre, we’re passionate about sustainability, and doing our bit to help the environment.

As much as possible, we purchase our consumable and everyday items locally to reduce our impact and support other local business.

We use environmentally friendly cleaning products and have our waste collected weekly from a local recycling firm, I even take our shredded paper home to add to my garden compost bin!

Dan Hobday – Technical Sales Engineer at Addooco IT

Addooco IT is committed to sustainability by achieving Carbon Neutral status and obtaining PAS 2060 Certification.

We implement eco-friendly practices, optimize energy use, and offset emissions to minimize our environmental impact. Our focus includes reducing waste, enhancing operational efficiency, and using renewable energy sources, demonstrating our dedication to a greener future while meeting rigorous sustainability standards.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield champions, chesterfield news, Chesterfield sustainability, World Environment Day

Earth Day 2024: Chesterfield businesses strive towards sustainability goals

19th April 2024

Chesterfield businesses are highlighting how they are becoming more sustainable and playing their part in reducing carbon emissions, waste, and pollution.

Earth Day 2024 provides the perfect opportunity to showcase our businesses that are taking responsibility and looking after our corner of the world. Many companies across Chesterfield are implementing eco-friendly practices and innovative solutions to reduce their carbon footprint and minimise impact to the environment.

Several recent developments have indicated the town’s commitment to sustainability, including the recent office spaces at One Waterside Place and the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre. The former achieved a BREEAM Very Good rating, while the latter was rated Excellent.

Last month, Chesterfield Borough Council approved a new annual delivery plan that aims to ensure the council is a carbon neutral organisation by 2030 and that the borough is carbon-neutral by 2050. Investing in even more green vehicles, continuing to make council homes more energy efficient and making further progress towards decarbonising key council buildings – including leisure centres and the Town Hall – are among the actions set out in the council’s climate change plan for the coming year.

What’s more, future schemes such as the PEAK Gateway Resort will also be developed with sustainability in mind. PEAK’s masterplan includes a zero carbon carless mobility system offering day passes to visit the national park, and will generate its own energy on-site.

The town’s Property and Construction Group also regularly holds focused discussions on the subject of sustainability, enabling sector leaders to share knowledge and best practice.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield commented: “As consumers increasingly prioritise sustainability, Chesterfield businesses are not only meeting regulatory requirements but also seizing competitive advantages by aligning with environmental values. Earth Day serves as a catalyst for businesses to accelerate their efforts in building a more sustainable and resilient future.”

We spoke to several figures from our town’s network of Chesterfield Champions to find out how businesses in the area are playing their part.

Claire Wilks, FWD Motion

At the heart of our business lies an unwavering commitment to sustainability across all our business operations- and we are increasingly finding this principle mirrored in clients’ priorities and decision-making too. We think about how our products sourced, produced delivered and even end-of-life recycling- the whole lifecycle is considered with eco-consciousness in mind. Embracing local suppliers and UK-made products, and we are also now using more environmentally friendly UV link (rather than solvent inks)- and we are dedicated to reducing our carbon footprint still further. We have taken proactive steps transitioning our entire vehicle fleet to electric, with charging points at our headquarters. And our initiatives include a bee-friendly garden and encouraging a cycle commute with onsite showers. Solar panels power our HQs with plans for further expansion. This approach underscores our mission to promoting environmentally sustainability in all aspects of our mission.

Sophie Pashley, Peak Pharmacy

We currently assemble about 1.5million patient prescription items each month. This means thousands of paper bags. With our new system, bags are made from compostable potato starch immediately decreasing paper use. Our workplace travel plan encourages car sharing, and use of electric vehicles, for delivery vehicles and staff cars. The movement sensor lighting in our building turns lights off when parts of the building are unoccupied. Where possible, waste generated on site is recycled and we continually look for ways to improve this further.

Gareth Paradise, Global Brands

We’ve got a team of staff who are dedicated to continually improving our sustainability. We’ve recently invested in solar panels to take the bulk of our power demands. We constantly monitor power use and look to install devices and practices to reduce consumption. Our cardboard and plastic are all recycled from our warehouse, which amounts to quite a lot each year! Last year we completed our first carbon footprint assessment, setting clear targets to become carbon net zero by 2050.

Bridget Ball, Chesterfield FC

Steps have been taken to reduce the use of electricity around the stadium, where possible. Chesterfield FC Community Trust deliver sessions in schools, outlining the importance of protecting the environment and advising how youngsters and their families can do their bit to become eco-friendly.

Kelly Parks, Banner Jones Solicitors

Legal Firms are historically very paper-heavy but in recent years we have made a real effort to reduce our paper trail, opting for online files and court bundles. This drive has been seen across the whole business and is probably the most significant change in our environmental footprint. We also conduct far more client meetings on the phone and online which saves them a trip to our offices, which means less traffic pollution.

Richard Fowler, RA Information Systems

One of our key priorities is environmentally conscious outsourcing to diminish our carbon footprint. We’ve partnered with ASK4 Data Centre, a facility powered entirely by renewable energy derived from wind, hydro, and solar sources. This strategic collaboration not only aligns with our commitment to sustainability but also provides our clients with tangible evidence of our dedication to eco-friendly practices. In addition to this, we actively participate in recycling electronic waste.

Jon Harris, Minuteman Press Chesterfield

All the papers we use are FSC accredited, meaning they come from sustainable managed forests. All our waste paper and toner cartridges are either recyclable or sent back to be re-used. In our line of business, we believe it is important to educate customers on the process behind the print and try to ensure we are using processes which cause the least damage to our environment and reduce the amount of waste.

Mike Jones, Windowcharm Blinds and Curtains

Sustainability remains a focal point for me. I constantly seek ways to improve by sourcing materials locally whenever feasible, prioritizing UK-based suppliers who manufacture components domestically rather than overseas. Embracing a local workforce and encouraging car-sharing among staff contribute to our sustainability efforts. We responsibly recycle/reuse waste materials and emphasize overhauls and refurbishments over replacements whenever possible.

Rob Carlin, Superior Wellness

With innovation being one of our brand values, every time we innovate we think about the environment. We have installed solar panels on the roof of the warehouse, have electric forklifts and sourcing sustainable materials for our production facility. We also have a couple of charging points for vehicles and over the next few years this number will increase.

Peter Botham, Shed Grounds Maintenance

Sustainability is at the heart of our approach at Shed, and we are proud to have achieved ISO 14001 certification, a testament to our environmental responsibility. We’ve been proudly paper-free since 2019, reducing unnecessary waste and resource consumption. We’re also making strides in our vehicle fleet by adopting electric vans and company cars.

Jenna Frudd, Wilmott Dixon

The built environment generates 40% of annual global CO2 emissions, so we want to make sure we’re making a difference where it counts. This applies to our own business’ sustainability goals as well as helping our customers on their own sustainability journeys. We have a 2020-2030 sustainability strategy named Now or Never that includes ambitious targets. Two of these targets are to become a net-zero carbon business, as well as ensuring all new buildings and major refurbishments we deliver for our customers achieve net zero operational carbon by the end of the decade.

Scott Fullaway, Stepnell

“At complete construction partner Stepnell, we are committed to using a local supply chain wherever possible to support a sustainable local low carbon economy. Our dedicated energy and renewables team, Step Energy, provides bespoke solutions to help our clients save energy and reduce their carbon output throughout the project lifecycle. By developing and delivering commercially appropriate renewable energy strategies, we can help clients meet their energy requirements and contribute to a low carbon built environment.”

Curtis Newsome, Eden Tyres and Servicing

We make sure that all our tyres are sent to a recycling centre, where they can be made into astroturf, riding areas or re-used in construction materials. Eden have also made the switch to electric vehicles for the management team & have been working to install EV charges in the branches. A bike to work scheme has recently been introduced & we’ve got a workshop full of tools to keep our bikes in top condition. We also make sure our oil is disposed of properly.

William Thomas, MSE Hiller

“Here are a few improvements we have put in place at MSE to help make our business as sustainable as possible. We have a rainwater recovery system installed. The rainwater is stored in underground tanks where it is filtered and circulated throughout the workshop for further use on various applications such as our high-pressure wash bay. All our overhead lighting in the workshop has now been converted to energy efficient LED units. These units have built in motion sensors that turn off the LED’s when they are not required. We have also utilised our roof space by installing solar panels. These panels have proven to be incredibly efficient, halving our annual energy costs. In fact, the panels harvest so much energy that, in addition to our other energy recovery systems, it puts power back into the grid.”

The organisations featured in this article support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Home, Love Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield business news, chesterfield champions, chesterfield news, Chesterfield sustainability, Earth Day 2024, Love Chesterfield

MTM Products nominated for regional sustainability and ethics award

9th April 2024

Chesterfield’s MTM Products has been shortlisted for a prestigious regional award, following several sustainability successes at the company.

The business is one of the UK’s leading industrial graphics suppliers, and recently announced it had reduced its operational carbon footprint by 34 tonnes of CO2e – or 37 per cent – by cutting its consumption of gas, grid electricity and water. MTM has also revealed a bold set of annual targets to further cut its carbon emissions before 2030.

Now, the business has been recognised in the shortlist for the Sustainable / Ethical Manufacturer Award at the 2024 Insider Made in the Midlands Awards. Now in their 14th year, the awards are one of the region’s premier events, attracting entries from more than 70 companies and culminating in a black-tie ceremony in Birmingham. The winners will go on to represent the Midlands, and their sectors, at the national Made in the UK Awards.

Managing Director Mark Niblett explained why these initiatives were so important: “Exploring the switch to 100 per cent renewable electricity and looking at sustainable vehicle options is not just about meeting environmental regulations, it’s about leading by example and inspiring change within our industry.

Mark believes this approach will help attract talent into the business: “Candidates are increasingly seeking employers who think and act sustainably. At MTM, we understand that sustainability isn’t just about ethics. It’s a necessity for attracting and retaining the best people.”

The work MTM is doing also involves challenging partners on their approaches to sustainability, as well as continuously assessing internal processes.

“We hope that by us demonstrating what we’re doing, we’re sharing best practices for the wider industry, in the hopes we can all begin to make a positive change,” Mark said.

Based in Chesterfield, MTM has been supplying original equipment manufacturers in the automotive, electrical and electronic, rail, medical, construction and machinery equipment sectors in the UK and across the EU for almost 50 years.

Chesterfield is a town renowned for its industrial roots, and is now home to a long list of world-leading manufactureres. Find out more about locating your business in our town: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

MTM Products supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Made in Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield business news, Chesterfield manufacturers, chesterfield news, Chesterfield sustainability, Love Chesterfield, MTM Products

Global Brands announces net zero strategy

12th January 2024

Global Brands, an independent UK drinks company based in Chesterfield has committed to a sustainability journey to reach net zero by 2050.

The business is the largest supplier of packaged cocktails to the UK off-trade with brands including VK and Shake Baby Shake, and resides over the second largest premium tonic brand in the UK on-trade, Franklin & Sons. Global Brands acquired Hooch, Hooper’s and Reef from Molson Coors in 2023.

The sustainability journey for Global Brands commits to a path to net zero by 2050, with a 92% reduction in emissions per £M turnover and the remainder offset. By 2030, Global Brands will have a 40% reduction in emissions per £M turnover and the remainder offset.

The drinks business has achieved carbon neutral status this year, offsetting current carbon emissions while starting to reduce scope 1, 2 and some of scope 3 emissions. Emissions are based on an assessment by Carbon Footprint Ltd of the operational emissions across Global Brands facilities and transport activities.

Current carbon reduction strategies across the business include running operations from solar panels on the roof of the company’s 181,000 square foot warehouse, starting to switch the lorry fleet to HVO fuels, and commitments to reduce single use plastic across the business.

Key to the carbon reduction strategy is a focus on logistics and distribution – the main source of carbon emissions across Global Brands. By 2030, the entire lorry fleet will run on HVO fuels.

In the short term, Global Brands are supporting several projects that compensate for emissions that can’t be reduced immediately. To achieve this, Global Brands are investing in wind power initiatives in several developing countries, reducing and removing emissions, creating jobs and improving livelihoods, reducing dependency on other countries for energy, and protecting natural resources. These projects are across North West Africa, the Dominican Republic, and India, and are managed through Verified Carbon Standard, the world’s leading greenhouse gas crediting program.

Across the Global Brands portfolio, 100% of cans, plastic, and glass bottles are recyclable, with 90% of brands utilising 100% recyclable paper labels.

Zehra Gezer, Head of Marketing Projects at Global Brands: “At Global Brands, it’s our mission to continue creating and delivering delicious liquids and remarkable brands, enjoyed the world over.

“Many of our products such as Hooch and VK, are easy-drinking beverages for partying and fun, and these shouldn’t come with an environmental impact.

“Likewise, sourcing and infusing the most remarkable ingredients from across the globe into every Franklin & Sons product, shouldn’t be at the expense of increased emissions.

“Across Global Brands, we do recognise that we operate in a significantly single use industry, with many products in our category prioritising convenience over sustainability. But having a good time and enjoying remarkable drinks shouldn’t be at the expense of the environment.

“We understand that offsetting emissions is only a part of reducing our carbon footprint in the short-term, and long-term action is ultimately required to become truly carbon neutral.

“However, we believe it is important to do everything in our power to balance our impact as a business in the here and now, so we are proud to support a number of projects that compensate for the emissions we cannot reduce immediately by funding an equivalent carbon dioxide saving elsewhere.

“Through an active carbon emissions reduction strategy, we’re committed to reaching net zero by 2050, and this sustainability journey will underpin and encourage sustainable growth, especially as we continue to expand internationally and supply drinks that can be enjoyed the world over to more consumers.”

Global Brands supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Love Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield business news, chesterfield news, Chesterfield sustainability, Global Brands, Love Chesterfield

COP 28: Chesterfield firms encouraged to continue prioritising sustainability

18th December 2023

A sustainability expert is continuing to encourage firms in Chesterfield to prioritise sustainability, following the recent COP 28 climate summit.

The message comes as Chesterfield Borough Council also reiterates its commitment to its climate strategy, which aims to create a carbon-neutral borough by 2050.

Emma Knight-Strong, Founder of Chesterfield Champion, Green Arch Consulting, advises firms of all sizes on how to cut their emissions, whilst growing their organisations in the process.

Following the summit, which took place in Dubai, Emma has given her thoughts on the event: “There has been a lot of negativity surrounding COP28 but it’s important to look at some of the broader messaging around the conference – both from the conference itself but also from the wider business, finance, reporting and NGO communities.

Emma Knight-Strong, Green Arch Consulting

“It is clear that these annual conferences lead to increased scrutiny on environmental practices, irrespective of any potential policy changes. Moving forward, companies should anticipate a heightened focus on sustainability, potential regulatory shifts, and the need to align with evolving climate goals. Adapting to emerging sustainability standards and fostering eco-friendly practices can enhance your business’s resilience and reputation, making it logical to ensure that you incorporate sustainable strategies into your business operations.

“Prioritising sustainability is crucial for businesses for several reasons. Firstly, it addresses growing environmental concerns, fostering a positive corporate image and meeting stakeholder expectations. Secondly, sustainable practices often lead to operational efficiency and cost savings in the long run.

“Thirdly, as global regulations evolve, businesses adhering to sustainable principles are better positioned to comply with changing standards. Finally, consumer preferences are increasingly shifting towards eco-friendly products and services, making sustainability a strategic advantage in the market. In summary, integrating sustainability is essential for reputation, efficiency, regulatory compliance, and staying competitive in the evolving business landscape.”

Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the summit, Chesterfield Borough Council has been reflecting on how its climate strategy supports both national and international commitments.

The council declared a climate emergency in 2019, and since then the organisation’s emissions have fallen by 36 per cent – driven by actions such as switching to renewable energy, using greener vehicles, making council homes and buildings more energy efficient and changing the way green spaces are managed.

Councillor Martin Stone, cabinet member for climate change, planning and environment, said: “COP 28 is an important step to tackling climate change on an international level but it is important to understand how action taken at the local level here in Chesterfield contributes to global change. One of the key commitments at COP 28 was to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems – this is something the council has been working towards, with the switch to renewable electricity supplies and using new technologies like heat pumps in new build council properties.

“Historically the UK is one of the worlds leading emitters and we should lead by example, it is vital that councils like ours take the steps necessary to reduce emissions and contribute to meeting our national targets.”

The council’s refreshed climate change strategy (2023 to 2030) which focusses on key areas which have the biggest impact on carbon emissions, including building use, transport and energy – and builds on the achievements of the previous strategy which was adopted in 2019.

Find out more information about the council’s work to tackle climate change on the council’s website: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/health-and-environment/weather-and-climate-change/climate-change

Green Arch Consulting and Chesterfield Borough Council support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Love Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield borough council, chesterfield news, Chesterfield sustainability, COP 28, Green Arch Consulting, Love Chesterfield

Transition Chesterfield opens Eco Hub thanks to community funding

11th October 2023

Transition Chesterfield has benefited from Chesterfield Borough Council’s community grant funding, enabling them to open an Eco Hub in the town.

Based on Low Pavement in Chesterfield, the Eco Hub is a pilot project that will work with residents to:

Improve their awareness of ‘Transition Chesterfield’ and the aims and objectives of the community group
Improve their awareness of climate action and the protection of the environment
Improve their understanding of net zero and a more sustainable Chesterfield
Access further learning and volunteer opportunities

Transition Chesterfield was one of the local organisations to benefit from the first round of funding, receiving £2,500 to open the new hub in the town centre.

The Eco Hub is initially open every Friday from 10am to 12.30pm until May 2024 and may open at other times if successful in recruiting enough volunteers.

The Hub at Low Pavement itself is open most days though for other community-based activities.

A total of £59,965 has been awarded to 16 local groups via the council’s new Community Grants Funding scheme so far, and applications for the second round of funding are now open.

The council is looking for grant applications from community groups and local voluntary organisations in Chesterfield and surrounding areas who have climate focused projects to deliver.

Karl Deakin, a volunteer with Transition Chesterfield, said: “We’re excited to win this funding which gives us a much-needed base for our activities. Our hub project will encourage interest and participation amongst residents to reduce their carbon footprint. It’s also a great opportunity for people to volunteer to help our environment and meet new people.”

Councillor Martin Stone, cabinet member for climate change, planning, and environment said: “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges humanity faces worldwide, and it needs us all to consider how we can make individual changes to our routines as well as how we can will make substantial changes in the borough of Chesterfield.

“Community groups can play a huge part in helping to educate and inform our communities so we would love to hear about any local project ideas that could benefit from the available grant funding.

“Chesterfield Borough Council has more than £118,000 available to eligible local groups in this financial year (2023/24) so we are encouraging as many people as possible to find out more about the scheme and submit an application.”

The funding allocated through the grant scheme will support local groups to deliver projects that will build resilient, healthy, and safe neighbourhoods, as well as initiatives which will help reduce the borough’s impact on the climate and wider environment by promoting greener choices.

Funding can also be used by community projects to develop volunteering opportunities, help people prepare to get in to work, and to support organisations to expand their reach into different areas of the borough.

Grants range from £500 to £6,000, and the deadline for applications for phase two is Friday 27 October.

Further information about the Community Grant Scheme, including details of how to apply can be found on the council’s website: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/community-grants-fund.

Funding for Chesterfield Borough Council’s Community Grants Scheme has been successfully secured from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), together with money raised through the Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Portion (CIL).

The community grants are just one initiative which is benefiting from funding through the UKSPF, after the council was successful in securing £2.6m from the Government. It will fund initiatives up to April 2025, which are designed to improve life for local people and support local businesses.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Love Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield borough council, Chesterfield community grants, Chesterfield community news, chesterfield news, Chesterfield sustainability, Chesterfield sustainability news, Transition Chesterfield

Chesterfield’s ‘off-grid’ households set for energy efficient boost

10th October 2023

Homeowners in Chesterfield that have no mains gas supply to their property could benefit from financial support to help make energy efficient improvements to their homes and reduce their bills.

Chesterfield Borough Council, Marches Energy Agency (MEA), and E.ON Energy Solutions have joined forces to help residents to make their homes warmer and more energy efficient – after the council successfully secured over £440,000 through the Government’s Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2).

Grant funding will be used to help to improve the energy efficiency of at least 22 homes in the borough. Improvement measures will be dependent on the outcome of a technical survey but could include the introduction of a range of improvements from insulation and solar panels to air source heat pumps and smart heating controls. These measures can save residents money on their energy bills whilst also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The funding will be available to homeowners who do not have a mains gas heating system and where their property has a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D,E,F or G and will only be eligible if one of the following statements apply:

Homeowner lives in one of the eligible postcode areas set by the Government
A permanent member of the household receives a means tested benefit
The combined household income is below £31,000 before tax

Further details on eligibility criteria can be found on the council’s website: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/hug2

Residents living in private rented accommodation may also be eligible for support, however the landlord will be required to contribute a minimum of a third of the total cost.

Councillor Jean Innes, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “We understand that it’s a difficult time for many people as the cost of living continues to rise. With funding secured through this scheme we can support homeowners in making improvements to their home to help to increase the warmth and comfort of their homes, whilst also reducing energy bills and carbon emissions.

“Despite facing significant financial pressures now and in future years, the council is committed to supporting those most in need during the cost-of-living crisis, and is doing all it can to maximise external funding opportunities like this, to help households across the borough.

“The funding will help to improve the energy performance and heating systems of off gas grid private sector homes and we will be carrying out technical surveys to make sure the most appropriate and efficient improvements can be made at each home.”

The council has already identified a number of households who are eligible for funding and MEA will be writing to them directly to advise them of the help available. Any other residents who think they may be eligible can contact MEA’s local team (Warmer Derby & Derbyshire) by emailing HUGD@mea.org.uk, calling 0800 677 1332 and selecting option 2 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or by completing the online application form.

Councillor Martin Stone, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for climate change, planning and environment, said: “The energy we use to heat and power buildings is one of the largest factors in terms of carbon emissions, if we can make buildings more efficient and reduce energy loss, we will see carbon emissions reduce also. Supporting and promoting schemes like these grants which will help homeowners to improve thermal efficiency is vital to achieving our target of becoming a carbon neutral borough by 2050.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield borough council, chesterfield homes, chesterfield housing, chesterfield news, Chesterfield sustainability, Energy Efficiency, Love Chesterfield

Sustainability Summit encourages green growth across the East Midlands

21st September 2023

East Midlands Chamber has praised the ‘shining examples of success’ of green growth in our regional business community at its latest Sustainability Summit.

The event explored how to unlock the green growth for SMEs and the wider East Midlands economy – across themes including leadership, innovation, international trade and best practice.

It took place against a backdrop in which Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the Government will water down net zero policies, including delaying a ban on the sales of new petrol and diesel cars and phasing out gas boilers.

Speakers at the Sustainability Summit said “flip-flopping” over net zero commitments from Westminster created huge uncertainty that undermined long-term investments and would ultimately harm the UK’s quest to become a global leader in the green economy.

About 200 people representing organisations from across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire gathered for the event, held in partnership with the University of Derby, Mazars, Thompson Tree Services and Epson.

East Midlands Chamber director of policy and insight Chris Hobson said: “We heard at our Sustainability Summit about some of the great things that businesses are doing in pursuing green growth and the very tangible rewards they are reaping with innovation and financial growth.

“These are the shining examples of success we can glean from embracing net zero, which means viewing it as not just a challenge but a golden opportunity.

“Yet while our national leaders correctly talk up the research and development strengths of our businesses and ambitions to be a global leader in developing low-carbon goods and services, there is a huge disconnect between this messaging and Government policy – as evidenced by the Prime Minister’s ill-judged shifting of the goalposts on our country’s net zero commitments.

“We saw first-hand the impact policy flip-flopping has on business decision-making during the chaotic political landscape of 2022, which quashed business confidence and thus investment. The lack of certainty about the future direction of our economy will unfortunately have a similar impact at a time when we should be encouraging transformational long-term investment.

“Having net zero targets is one thing, but to get us there we require a roadmap that will be led by business innovation. The vacillating from our political leaders instead undermines our ability to make real progress in this space and we instead find ourselves stuck in limbo when it comes to the most significant economic opportunity of our lifetime.”

Findings from the Green Growth Trends in the East Midlands research conducted by the Chamber and University of Derby were discussed by report author Dr Polina Baranova, associate professor of strategy and sustainability.

It showed the proportion of East Midlands businesses that have made any income from environmentally-friendly goods and services dropped from 45% in 2022 to 36% in 2023, decarbonisation investment varies significantly according to business size and sector, and a widening gap in business support and information.

Dr Baranova said this illustrated not only the impact of the cost-of-doing business crisis but the “fragility” of the current policy landscape, with green growth yet to be a firmly embedded business philosophy.

Other highlights at the Sustainability Summit included:

East Midlands Chamber president Stuart Dawkins discussed how sustainability is at the heart of businesses’ responsibility to support their communities and future generations
Professor Chris Bushell, pro vice-chancellor and head of sustainability at the University of Derby, outlined how the institution is taking a lead in the net zero agenda via its research, innovation, thought leadership and knowledge capital
Ian Meikle, director of clean growth at Innovate UK, explained how Britain can create jobs and sustainable economic growth by developing its own low-carbon products and services, but this required stable policy and regulation, innovation in business models and supply chains, and a step-change in access to capital
Chris Fuggle, global head of sustainability services at audit, tax and advisory services firm Mazars, provided practical strategies to upskill leadership teams on the environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda and embedding sustainability at board level
Charlie de la Haye, communications manager at Epson UK, gave an insight into how the global printing manufacturer had pivoted its business model to deliver green goods and services while demonstrating how it could deliver cost-saving benefits to customers.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield business news, chesterfield news, Chesterfield sustainability, east midlands business news, east midlands chamber, Sustainability, Sustainability Summit

Midlands councils collaborate to bring more EV chargers to the region

11th September 2023

Local authorities across the midlands, including Derbyshire County Council have successfully submitted a bid for £39.3m for more EV chargers in our region.

A partnership between thirteen councils applied for funding from the Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund, alongside sub-national transport body, Midlands Connect.

Each local authority has been allocated an individual amount from the funding pot.

Analysis by Midlands Connect found the Midlands needs 17,461 new public EV charging points by the end of 2025 to meet the needs of the growing EV market and it’s hoped this latest good news around the Government funding will spur on more region-wide installation of charging points.

Estimates suggest the installation and maintenance of electric vehicle charging points will also create an influx of jobs in the region, with over 42,000 related roles set to be created in the Midlands by the end of 2032.

In 2022, Midlands Connect together with five councils secured £1million of funding through the LEVI Fund Pilot and that cash is expected to attract an additional £2.8m of private sector investment to roll out 322 standard and 27 rapid EV charging points across the Midlands. Charge points are expected to be installed for this project in summer 2024.

Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, said: “We are delighted the Government has allocated funding over £39.3m for 13 councils across the Midlands. This will really help the region to charge ahead of the pack.”

“This is a vital next step in our efforts to improve electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the region ahead of the phase out of sales of new diesel and petrol cars and vans by 2030. This funding will improve the lives of those living in the Midlands, particularly for those who do not have access to off-street parking and may struggle to charge their vehicle otherwise.”

Find out more about Chesterfield Borough Council’s climate strategy, which outlines the council’s aim to become carbon neutral by 2030, and achieving net zero for the borough by 2050.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield news, Chesterfield sustainability, Derbyshire Electric vehicle charging, EV Charging, Net Zero, Sustainability

New EV charging site opens in North Derbyshire

30th August 2023

A new charging site for electronic vehicles has been installed at a new site near Chesterfield.

Two rapid charging stations have been installed by InstaVolt at Starbucks, located on The Hill in Glapwell.

This latest addition brings the total of InstaVolt EV charging sites in the Chesterfield area to six, with others being based at McDonald’s West Bars, Chesterfield Lawn Tennis Club, KFC at Markham Vale, alongside McDonald’s and Costa Coffee in Barlborough.

With plans to install 10,000 rapid chargers by 2030, InstaVolt currently has more than 1,200 chargers across the country.

There are now more than 780,000 EVs on Britain’s roads. InstaVolt says charging infrastructure is increasing to match demand as more people make the switch to electric vehicles, with 550 rapid chargers installed last month alone.

Adrian Keen, the CEO of InstaVolt, said: “We’re delighted to bring more of our award-winning rapid chargers to Chesterfield, with class-leading reliability of more than 99.9% and installations of two or more chargers at many sites.

“EV drivers can be confident that when they arrive, they’ll find an easy to use charger, with on-site driver amenities, without having to queue.”

He added: “With an extensive, fully nationwide network, EV drivers are never far away from an InstaVolt rapid charger. When embarking on a long journey, just a little bit of route planning in advance using search engines or a dedicated App for charging points like ZapMap or InstaVolt’s own App, makes life easier.

“And while you recharge your EV, recharge yourself: stretch your legs and enjoy a coffee or bite to eat from one of our on-site partners.”

InstaVolt’s chargers are powered using 100% renewable energy, are easy to use and take contactless payment.

Drivers can visit the website, or sign up to the optional InstaVolt App, where they can find their nearest charging station, search for real-time availability across its sites, and pay for their charge – all in one place.

Chesterfield Borough Council recently published its climate stategy, which outlines aims to ensure the Borough achieves net zero by 2050. Read more at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/2023/02/new-climate-strategy-agreed-in-chesterfield/

Planning a journey to Chesterfield? Find out more about the town’s excellent transport links here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in Chesterfield car charging points, chesterfield news, Chesterfield sustainability, Electric Charging points, EV Charging, InstaVolt, Love Chesterfield