Communications Team welcomes new Kickstarter 
Alicia Wisbey has recently joined the communications team as part of the Government’s Kickstart Scheme. Alicia tells us more about the Kickstart Scheme and her new role in the team; 

"The Kickstart Scheme is an employment programme for 16–24 year-olds. As part of my role as a Communications Officer, I have learned more about the Essex Climate Action Commission’s recommendations on climate action and what Essex County Council is doing in response. I have also been able to find out how we engage with residents, schools and businesses to provide valuable information about how to help tackle climate change and how Essex County Council can support residents’ ideas to make them flourish and come to life.

Being part of the communications team has allowed me to shadow members of the team on various tasks enabling me to experience what they do on a day-to-day basis. I have expanded my knowledge of writing techniques and exercised teamwork, communication and community engagement skills within my role.

I have learnt how to engage audiences through social media and had a fantastic opportunity to attend an event within a local school. I have also had the chance to work on various influential projects which I would not have been able to experience without this Kickstart Scheme."

Tollesbury Climate Partnership celebrates its first anniversary!
Tollesbury Climate Partnership, a community group supported by Essex County Council and Community Energy South, are currently enjoying their first anniversary, working to reduce the impact of climate change and protect the environment.

The anniversary prompts reflection on the outstanding progress Tollesbury Climate Partnership has made in such a short period. From the inaugural meeting arranged by the Parish Council one year ago, Tollesbury Climate Partnership has incorporated as a Community Benefit Society and has worked towards successful grant and funding applications of over £37,000 in total to deliver initiatives and projects over a variety of areas.

This has included home energy advice, thermal camera imaging of heat loss in homes, a solar PV feasibility study, community engagement, and supply chain development.

The future for Tollesbury Climate Partnership also proves exciting, with potential work around the decarbonisation of the local school and utilising share offers for the installation of renewables. The group has six active working groups covering community engagement, energy, natural and marine environment, sustainable food and transport.

We are thrilled to hear the huge progress which continues to be made by the community group - a huge congratulations to Tollesbury Climate Partnership!

Essex County Council and the Essex Climate Action Commission shortlisted for two prestigious awards 
We are delighted to announce that the Essex Climate Action Commission and Essex County Council have been shortlisted as finalists for the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards 2022 and The MJ Awards 2022.

Our entry for the LGC awards focused on the Essex Climate Action Commission’s ambitious Climate Focus Area recommendations. This is an area in which we plan to develop positive change across Essex through a fast and holistic approach to carbon neutrality.

The second entry for the MJ Awards highlighted Essex County Council and the Essex Climate Action Commission’s leadership in responding to the climate emergency.

Launched in May 2020, Essex County Council is one of only a handful of councils to establish an independent body of experts such as the Commission, and its Net Zero: Making Essex Carbon Neutral report sets out its recommendations for a fast moving programme to ensure that we achieve our commitment for Essex to become net zero by 2050.  

In November 2021, Essex County Council declared its support for the Commission’s report and  unveiled its £200 million climate action plan. This outlines strategies and initiatives on how Essex County Council will deliver upon the recommendations outlined in the report.

We are honoured to have been shortlisted for these two hugely prestigious awards. Essex County Council has also been shortlisted for awards relating to energy and waste.  

Business events in Essex
Last month we reached out to the business community at the Festival of Business and Big Green Business Expo. During the events, we had the opportunity to talk to businesses about action they are taking to tackle climate change.

The Big Green Business Expo, hosted by the Essex Wildlife Trust and supported by LoCASE (Low Carbon Across the South and East) and BusinessTime in Essex magazine, took place on 21 April in the picturesque surroundings of Old Park Meadow at North End, near Great Dunmow.

On 27 April, we exhibited and presented at the Festival of Business, which took place at Hylands House in Chelmsford and was organised by the Essex Chambers of Commerce. The festival was attended by Essex County Council’s Climate Czar, Cllr Schwier. 

The festival featured presentations from Jerry Stokes, Executive Chairman at GRIDSERVE and Richard Davidson, Director at Willmott Dixon and Essex Climate Action Commissioner, who discussed actions their companies are taking to improve sustainability and work towards our commitment of becoming net zero by 2050. Attendees were also able to find out more about the wealth of initiatives which have been launched by Essex County Council across the county to combat climate change.  

We want to hear from you!
In October 2019, Essex County Council launched the Love Essex Fund for projects promoting repair, reuse and recycling. We want to know how these organisations have impacted residents in Essex. Take this quick survey to help us find out.