Eco-Easterside is a top project

4th February 2010

Type: News

Categories: Love Middlesbrough News

A Middlesbrough estate will be leading the way in the battle to reduce carbon emissions thanks to Government funding.

The Eco-Easterside project to create a Low Carbon Community will receive nearly £400,000 from the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

The successful bid further cements Middlesbrough’s status as a Beacon authority for climate change.

The new project, led jointly by Middlesbrough Council and Middlesbrough Environment City alongside a number of community organisations, was one of just ten picked from more than 200 funding applications.

An award ceremony and workshop, hosted by climate change minister Joan Ruddock, will be held in London on Monday, February 8.

The Eco-Easterside project will raise awareness among residents to reduce carbon emissions from domestic housing and public buildings and facilities, encourage the use of active and sustainable transport, and develop sustainable, healthy living by encouraging residents to grow their own food.

Key Aims

Key aims of the project include:

• Schools on the estate achieving Green Flag Eco-School standard
• Installation of two wind turbines in schools on the estate
• Community building equipped with renewable technology
• Two streets fitted with low energy LED lighting
• 600 domestic properties fitted with Smart energy monitors to help residents save money
• The creation of an electric car club
• Supporting local food growing schemes

What people are saying

Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor Councillor Dave Budd said: “The assessor who recently visited Middlesbrough was clearly impressed with the work that is already being done here.

“The fact that this project was in the top 10 of more than 200 hopefuls speaks volumes about the strength of the community partnership and the level of innovation in the plan.

“This grant is great news, both for Easterside and Middlesbrough as a whole, and I am sure its benefits will be felt for many years to come.”

Mark Fishpool, Director of Middlesbrough Environment City, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to extend the work we are already doing in Middlesbrough on climate change and One Planet Living.

“We are already working closely with the residents of Easterside on community growing, cycling and energy awareness projects and we are delighted to be involved in the Eco-Easterside project.”

Energy and Climate Change Minister Joan Ruddock said: “The huge enthusiasm for the Low Carbon Communities Challenge demonstrates that local people are passionate about building a low carbon future in the UK. Today’s winners will act as a test bed for green action, and show us all what a greener future looks like.

“This sort of action is vital because over a quarter of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions come from heating, lighting and powering electrical appliances in our homes.

“By 2050 this needs to be almost zero and we can only achieve that through the creative initiative of local communities.”

Useful links

Middlesbrough Environment City

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