💚One step closer to net-zero! - Get SuSSed from South Somerset District Council 💚

Hello from Cllr Sarah Dyke, Environment Portfolio Holder, and the rest of the Environment Team!

Welcome to the July edition of Get SuSSed, another month full of big news and exciting events coming up. We hope you all remained safe and well in the recent heatwave, however it is important to remember that the record breaking temperatures are a direct impact of global warming due to increased carbon emissions in our atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels. We continue to work hard here at SSDC to reduce our carbon emissions and minimise our climate change impact.

We have compiled our carbon emission data from the last financial year 2021-2022 and we are pleased to say that we have reduced our carbon footprint by 26% on the previous year's emissions! This is a fantastic improvement for our council and has given us further determination to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. Read on to find out what we are doing to get there!

Best eco wishes from Sarah and the Environment team x

SSDC Green News

Carbon Calculator Update

In May 2019 we recognised a climate and ecological emergency and committed to become carbon neutral by 2030. To allow us to track our journey to carbon neutrality, we're working from our 2018-2019 baseline of Net 1,633.43 tCO2e to measure our progress year on year.

In April 2021 the council switched all it's electricity to a renewable energy generated supply using 100% renewable energy (so from wind, solar, hydro, and not including nuclear). This has helped the council to reduce its Net CO2e emissions by a substantial 26% on last year's emissions, and an impressive 38% reduction on the baseline emissions.

You can view this year's figures here, or you can can visit our website for a full report of the data.

Big thanks as recycling rate hits new heights

Somerset’s recycling rate is at an all-time high thanks to Recycle More and everyone’s efforts to do the right thing with their waste. At 56.2%, the rate for 2021-22 is a big step forward from 52.4% the previous year - coming after more than a decade of being stuck around the 52% level. It’s the highest it has been since such figures started being tracked more than 20 years ago. This should put us in the top 10% when national figures are shared later in the year. Click here to find out more.

Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) would like to thank everyone for making the most of the new service. With its roll-out only just complete, Recycle More should continue to drive up the county’s recycling rate next year!

To keep up to date with waste services, sign up for the SWP e-newsletter at somersetwaste.gov.uk or follow @somersetwaste on Facebook or Twitter.

Solar schemes at Leisure sites complete!

Work to introduce solar power to three Freedom Leisure sites across South Somerset is now complete and will save 21 tonnes of carbon emissions per year, the equivalent of taking 11 cars off the road!

Solar panels have been installed at Westlands Sport and Fitness Centre, Yeovil, Wincanton Sports Centre and Goldenstones Leisure Centre, Yeovil.

Further plans to introduce ASHPs (Air Source Heat Pumps) at all three leisure centre sites will increase the CO2 reductions to 435 tonnes, the equivalent to taking 229 cars off the road! Click here to read the full article.

Community Biodiversity Pack – Call out for Case-Studies

We launched our South Somerset Community Biodiversity Pack in March, with the aim of supporting our communities to take the lead in preserving and restoring biodiversity in their community!

We’re now looking to hear from you for any projects you might be planning or have recently delivered so that we can help showcase and celebrate your progress to date. The size of the project doesn't matter – even the smallest of changes can benefit nature, so please do get in touch with our team here.

If you would like any advise or support with your plans, remember to check out the Biodiversity Pack here, which includes lots of practical tips for managing your land for biodiversity.

In the Community

Our local community environment groups

Somerset Climate Action Network (CAN) have started to document a series of video's about our local community environment groups.

Check out the amazing work of two of our local groups in South Somerset, Yeovil Rivers Community Trust (YRCT) and Sustainable Yeovil. Click the link to hear more.

Somerset CAN are keen for you to share any of their videos on your community pages or at screenings in local events you may be hosting! Email details to SomersetCAN@gmail.com.

Yeovil Rivers Community Trust ft. Sustainable Yeovil

SHARE:Frome

Share:Frome is a library of things, and like a library you can sign up as a member and borrow things as you need! They have a large catalogue of items to choose from which you can browse here.

This initiative has an incredibly positive impact on the environment by minimising the number of products you buy and therefore reducing your carbon footprint. You can also save a huge amount of money as some of the products on offer retail for as much as £300 from new!

To find out more about this fantastic community project that's great for the planet, click here.

For the Community

Sustainable transport in Somerset

We all know that Somerset is a great place to live, and we want to build on that by ensuring that we can travel around our area in a sustainable way, but we want your ideas!

Somerset Councils want to know what travel improvements you think need to be made to your community. To have your say, click here, or you can keep up to date with sustainable projects in your area here.

Energy saving advice and events for local climate action groups

The way we produce and use energy needs to change as not only is it one of the main causes of the climate emergency, but also many people in Somerset can’t afford to keep their homes warm in winter or cool in summer.

The Safe & Warm Somerset team are available to support people and groups with free, practical energy saving advice and access to funding for energy saving home improvements. If you work with people in the local community, the team can deliver talks about energy efficiency including low or no cost top tips, energy saving measures like insulation, how to manage energy debt, discounts and grants or other support available. Energy advisors can attend your meetings or events with an information stand or run drop-in surgeries as part of existing initiatives you might be running.

The Safe and Warm Somerset team recently attended Envirofair 22 to offer energy advice to people in the community. The event was organised and run by volunteers from Stoke Environment Group who said the team “played a vital role in the event”.

Find out more about how the Safe and Warm Somerset team can support your activities by emailing here, or refer someone for support using this online form.

Home upgrade grants scheme for off-gas homes

Somerset Independence Plus (a partnership between all the Somerset District Council's and Somerset County Council) and The Centre for Sustainable Energy are working across Somerset to install energy efficiency measures to off-gas homes, at no cost to the household. These improvements will help make homes warmer and more comfortable, whilst helping lower energy bills and carbon emissions.

Your home could benefit from measures such as solid wall insulation, cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, underfloor insulation, high heat retention electric storage heaters, solar panels, air source heat pumps, heating controls or double glazing. We will carry out a free energy survey and let you know how we can help!

For eligibility criteria click here.

To apply, call the Centre for Sustainable Energy on 0800 038 5730 (10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Thursday) or email them here.

This offer is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis so find out more and apply today so your application can get started.

Somerset Retrofit Accelerator extended!

There are a limited number of discounted retrofit plans left available for home occupiers wanting to improve the energy efficiency and comfort of their homes, but be quick so not to miss out!

The retrofit plan will help to identify the best options for home improvements that will help reduce energy bills and improve the comfort of your home. To find out more reducing your energy, you can visit our website, or click here to apply.

Parish Environment Champions

We are committed to working together to make a difference

A reminder that we are always looking to expand our Parish Environment Champion network; we currently have volunteers in over 60 parishes, but we are still missing representation from a number of areas across the district! Please see below for missing Parishes.

If you are located in one of the Parishes listed below and you would like to support your area with sharing news and environmental initiatives to help deliver SSDC'S Environment Strategy, then click here, or email us directly here.

EAST:

· Bacary

· Barton St David

· Bratton Seymour

· Brewham

· Charlton Horethorne

· Charlton Musgrove

· Chilton Cantelo

· Compton Pauncefoot

· Corton Denham

· Ilchester

· Kingsdon

· Kingweston

· Limington

· Marston Magna

· Mudford

· North Vale

· Pen Selwood

· Pitcombe

· Rimpton

· Shepton Montague

· South Cadbury

· Sparkford

· Stoke Trister & Bayford

· Wincanton

· Yeovilton

NORTH:

· Aller

· Barrington

· Beercrocombe

· Compton Dundon

· Curry Mallet

· Ilton

· Isle Abbots

· Kingsbury Episcopi

· Long Load

· Lopen

· Montacute

· Muchelney

· Pitney

· Puckington

· Seavington St Mary

· Seavington St Michael

· Tintinhull

WEST:

· Chillington

· Cricket St Thomas

· Cudworth

· Dinnington

· Dowlish Wake

· East Chinnock

· Horton

· Kingstone

· Knowle St Giles

· Misterton

· Tatworth & Forton

· Wayford

· West & Middle Chinnock

· West Crewkerne

· Whitelackington

SOUTH:

· Closworth

· East Coker

· Hardington Mandeville

· Yeovil Town

Future Environment Events

Check out our events page on the South Somerset Environment Website for full details:

Family-friendly Summer events at SSDC’s Country parks (August)

SSDC are hosting a series of family-friendly events this summer, including a ‘Taste of the Wild’ at Ham Hill, an ‘Explore night time’ at Ninesprings, and a ‘Bug Bonanza’ at Chard Reservoir LNR. Visit the park pages on Facebook or click here to view all events.

Carymoor Summer Events

The Carymoor Environmental Trust, the Environmental Education Centre and Rewilding Project on the old landfill site in South Somerset are hosting a number of events and course across the summer including a family fun day and rural crafts. Head over to their website to find out more!

Somerset Sustainable Land Management Series – 2 August, 9.30-11.30am (online) - Free

Open to landowners from across Somerset, join Mendip DC and the Farm Carbon Toolkit as they discuss agricultural emissions and mitigation measures. This first webinar will provide an introduction and overview of their carbon calculator, helping landowners calculate their holdings carbon footprint and understanding the results. It will also discuss carbon management of different types of land, key action planning and how to measure and manage changes effectively. Sign up here .

Somerset Green Open Homes webinar 4: Retrofitting pre 1919 urban homes- 4 August, 7pm (virtual) - Free

This is the fourth in a series of Somerset Green Open homes events. In this live webinar on 4 August at 7pm, we will be looking at two terraced properties in Somerset towns and speaking with the homeowners about the changes they have made to improve the energy efficiency and decarbonise their properties. To register, click here.

Tinkers Bubble Trip, Saturday 13 August, 10am - Would you be interested?

We are arranging a summer trip to Tinkers Bubble, an off-grid community living within the woodlands of South Somerset. We will ask those attending to arrive and park at Ham Hill for 10am, to then gather and walk to Tinkers Bubble for the tour, starting at 10.30am. Lunch will be provided from Tinkers' seasonal produce and the tour will carry on to the afternoon which will enable you to see this special zero carbon, fossil fuel free community and also find out more about the conservation work led by SSDC at Ham Hill. Register your interest here.

Grants and Funding

Environment Grants

You can find all information on external grants and funding on the South Somerset Environment website. Please click here for details, along with details of some key ones this month below:

Tree Council Fund – up to £2,000 to Town and Parish councils, schools, community groups etc. for tree planting projects, to include young people under 21, during National Tree Week. Deadline 4 December. Apply here.

Community Climate Action Fund (National Lottery) – between £50,000 to £1.5million available for community-led partnership projects making a clear link between climate and nature. Applications accepted all year. Online events for prospective applicants are available.

The Ernest Kleinwort Trust – up to £10,000 for charities working in the areas of wildlife & environment. Applications accepted all year.

Local School Nature Grants - £500 for nature equipment to schools (birdboxes, bee hotels, nature talks)! Deadline 2 September. Apply here.

UK Community Tree Planting Grant – up to £15,000 available to support community tree planting projects. Deadline 16 December. Apply here.

The Prince of Wales Fund – up to £5,000 for not-for-profits working in the areas of countryside, environment & conservation. Apply here.

The D’Oyle Charitable Trust – up to £5,000 for charities working in the environment sector. Deadline 11 October. Apply here.

The Banister Trust – up to £50,000 for conservation or protection of the natural environment. E.g.: bird boxes for churches/village halls, wildlife gardens, habitat restoration or creation, purchasing land! Applications any time to charitabletrusts@ludlowtrust.com.

Green Business

Thrive – Free Support for Agricultural Businesses across Somerset

Helping agricultural businesses and landowners navigate the latest changes, join Thrive’s free support programme and receive 1:2:1 advice on what’s right for your farm business. Whether that’s helping with funding applications, explaining the latest schemes such as The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), as well as advising on areas such as business planning, diversification and succession planning, Thrive can guide you through.

As well as this, Thrive are also running free workshops on a range of topics such as tree planting, SFI soils standards and digital skills to name a few. Register with Thrive here.

Somerset Business Climate Summit 2022

Represent your workplace and join others from across Somerset to learn, share and be inspired about reducing the climate impact of our organisations – working together using small steps to deliver collective big wins!

The Somerset Business Climate Summit 2022 will take place on Wednesday 21st September, 10am-1pm, at Queens College, Taunton.

For more details and to book your place click here.

The Great Green Directory

We have started to create a directory on the South Somerset Environment Website to help people find eco businesses covering South Somerset.

Are you a business with an eco-friendly ethos? Is your business helping to act on the climate and ecological crisis? Do you know of a green business in the area who should be included in the directory?

Energy Crisis

Actions and advice

New energy tariffs came into force on 1 April (and will be rising further from October onwards), which could make the average household energy bill rise substantially. Visit our environment website here for energy saving tips!

Green Titbits

The Big Butterfly Count

Butterfly species have declined in numbers in recent years. The 2021 count was the worst Big Butterfly Count year on record, with the lowest ever number of butterflies and moths recorded, despite record survey entries from the public.

In the last forty years, the UK has witnessed declines in over three-quarters of its butterflies.

“Many of our once common and widespread species like the large white, small copper and gatekeeper have started to struggle, mirroring the declines of rarer species," said Sir David Attenborough.

Taking part in the Count is easy. Download an ID chart, or the free Butterfly Conservation app from the official website here. Between now and Sunday 7 August, find a sunny spot and spend 15 minutes counting the butterflies you see. Submit your sightings on the website or via the app. If you take a great photo of butterflies you spotted please send it to us here, and you could be featured in the next edition of Get SuSSed!

Big Butterfly Count 2022 | In conversation with Chris Packham & Dr Caroline Bulman

Upcoming Awareness Days

National Allotments Week- 8-14 August

This event is to raise awareness of the importance of allotments in our society. An allotment plot not only produces food, but can also support entire eco-systems.

The theme this year is 'bugs, bees and broccoli' to highlight the importance of gardening with nature in mind.

The National Allotment Society are working closely with Buglife to deliver the Bug Survey and find out what wildlife can be found in our allotments!

If you wish to find out more information or take part in the Bug Survey, you can visit the National Allotment Society's website here.

Cycle to Work Day- Thursday 4 August

Travel by fossil fuelled transport is the number one carbon emitter in Somerset, but we are working on it! Residents can also help support a reduction in these emissions by being more conscious about how you travel.

By cycling and walking where you can, you can make a huge difference to your carbon footprint and support the global effort to reduce carbon emissions. So next Thursday 4 August, ensure you get to work in the most sustainable way possible- it all starts with a change in behaviour!

Sustrans is a UK charity supporting projects that enable communities to have better access to cycling and walking pathways. Please visit their website to find out more about the great work they do.