Sustainability grants support climate action

A Carbon Coach to help people reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and an app that helps organisations to share their resources are among those to benefit from the latest round of Sustainability Fund grants.

The Sustainability Fund was set up by the Christchurch City Council last year to assist community action on climate change. This week the Sustainability and Community Resilience Committee approved $121,689 for eight proposals aimed at reducing emissions and building resilience to local climate impacts.

All of the successful applicants support the Council’s climate change objectives and targets of halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2045.

“We know that there is strong demand for support on climate related action in the community and that everyone and every organisation will have to make changes to reduce emissions”.

“That’s why a project like Mutu Resource Xchange stands out. We’ve approved $20,000 in funding to support this local technology business because their app has huge potential to reduce waste, manage consumption and save money,” says Councillor Sara Templeton, who chairs the Sustainability and Community Resilience Committee.

“The app would enable businesses, councils and other asset-based organisations to better manage and share their resources and is planned to be piloted with Sport Canterbury, Canterbury University and Christchurch Holdings Limited. It’s an idea that has not just local but national and global market potential.

“We’ve also supported Project Lyttelton with a $20,000 grant to establish a Community Carbon Coach who will help households and businesses in Lyttelton reduce their environmental footprint. This is exactly the type of grassroots climate action needed throughout Christchurch. We are hoping that others can learn from this innovative community action.”

“Another project to gain support is the Superhome Movement, who received $6,000 to prepare and publish their Healthy Home Guide. People will be able to look through some of the most sustainable homes in Christchurch over the weekend of 14-15 August and this funding will support those tours and enable visitors to pick up a Healthy Home Design Guide,” Cr Templeton says.

Grants were also given to:

• Phillipstown Community Centre Charitable Trust ($5689) to install solar energy on a moveable small building at the Phillipstown Community Hub.
• Te Whare Roimata Trust ($20,000) so it can employ a co-ordinator to set up a food box delivery service for the local community.
• Blue Cradle Foundation ($20,000) to support community education about the local coastal environment and to mount a bid for Christchurch to host the 6th International Marine Protected Area Congress.
• Bush Farm Trust ($10,000) for its youth education programme at Orton Bradley Park.
• Project Management Institute ($20,000) to create and pilot in Christchurch a sustainability toolbox for project managers.

• Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū / Banks Peninsula Geopark Trust ($10,000) to provide historical and geological information about Banks Peninsula as part of establishing a local Geopark.

Applications to the Sustainability Fund can now be made for the next funding round, which closes on 27 September. For more information and to apply visit: ccc.govt.nz/sustainability-fund