UK projects
Published: 7 Dec 2021
The Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN) is a project focussing on renewables, building energy efficiency, business and low carbon projects that have social and economic benefits for communities. They have a search function on their website where you can see some more information about your local area e.g. Swansea or Gwynedd.
Norwich
In 2019 Norwich became the UK’s first ‘sharing city’, joining cities like Athens, Barcelona, Dallas, New York and Singapore. Existing share enterprises across issues such as clothing, food waste and food poverty have joined others such as community hubs and initiatives such as an honesty library to explore how the ‘share economy’ can best work for the city and its people.
And it’s not just in Norwich that interesting schemes have been starting up of course.
Greater Manchester meanwhile, has plans to become ‘one of the globe’s healthiest, cleanest and greenest city-regions.’
Staying in the north of England, Preston has a bit of form with being the first for different things, from being the first provincial town in England to have its streets lit to being the site of the UK’s first motorway. Nowadays something very interesting is happening again there. The ‘Preston Model’, a community wealth building concept has helped the Lancashire city kick start it’s economy through a mix of community land trusts, worker co-ops and different planning initiatives. By seeking an ultra local approach they have increased local procurement, kept millions of pounds more circulating in the wider local economy and ensured that thousands more people receive the real living wage and were in 2018 was named the most improved city in the UK.
First eco-town
North West Bicester in Oxfordshire is the UK's first eco-town with sustainable zero-carbon homes plus workplaces, schools, community facilities, bus stops within 400metres of every property rainwater collection systems.
Bristol is often in the vanguard of action on environmental issues and one such example was the creation of the Bristol Pound in 2012 as a local, complementary or community currency designed to support local traders, build stronger bonds in the community and decrease emissions. It became the largest of its kind in the UK and is now transitioning into Bristol Pay as a way to localise the digital economy.
Community currencies are an interesting example of how some areas have sought to support communities and local enterprises whilst reducing climate emissions.
In Wales, Circular Economy Wales is creating a mutual credit system (Celyn) based on a model in Sardinia, called the Sardex. It is hoped that this new complementary digital currency will boost the Welsh economy by around £250m over the next decade.
We certainly need new and different ideas and systems in order to help us regenerate our local communities and local economies and cut emissions quickly.