Multiple funding awards demonstrate progress in decarbonising York

The council’s Joint Executive Members for Environment and Climate Emergency have hit the ground running since May, and this week celebrate a number of Government funding awards to help decarbonise the city.

After first having the award of almost £40k in funding for two new micro-woods confirmed, linked to the coronation of King Charles, the council soon learned it had successfully bid, as part of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, for £2m in funding for a ‘Net Zero Accelerator’ pilot.

The pilot is focussed on green initiatives such as retrofitting homes and the installation of solar panels.  In York’s case this will start with developing a strategic business partnership to accelerate decarbonisation.

Joint Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency, Cllr Kate Ravilious said:

“We’re delighted at these two awards and other significant funding confirmed last month, for decarbonisation projects through our Combined Authority.  This is great news for York and shows the Government has confidence in York’s approach and ability to deliver.

 “I’m very clear since becoming Joint Executive Member that climate impact will be a central consideration in all we do, as outlined in our Council Plan.  These awards are examples of our approach of looking beyond the council for funding to make the changes needed to decarbonise our city, especially our buildings”.

Last month almost £350k in revenue grant and £2.6m in capital grant from the Government for decarbonisation projects was confirmed for York, through York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority funding.

These include developing options for an ambitious Green Energy Park at Harewood Whin near Rufforth and delivering a major renewable heating upgrade at Alex Lyon House independent living complex in York.

“We have a great officer team led by Shaun Gibbons here in York who’ve worked hard to achieve these funding awards and who continue to explore a range of options to support our transition to a net zero carbon economy” added Joint Executive Member Cllr Jenny Kent.

 “Cllr Ravilious and I are excited by the progress being made and the prospect of progressing major initiatives in the future, including at Harewood Whin which has the potential to generate local renewable energy to power around 5% of all York homes. That would represent a huge step forward in the decarbonisation of our city”.

York is also through to the final stages with another national decarbonisation funding bid, with another significant sum potentially being confirmed within the next month.

-ENDS-

Cllr Kate Ravilious – Tel: 07929 388228                        

Cllr Jenny Kent – Tel: 07834 537518

 Joint Executive Members for Environment and Climate Emergency

Combined Authority net zero funding confirmation (£2m):

[http://Councils%20pilot%20net%20zero%20projects%20with%20£19%20million%20government%20backing%20-%20GOV.UK%20(www.gov.uk)]Councils pilot net zero projects with £19 million government backing – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Micro woods confirmation (£40k):

York to get two ‘micro woods’ in honour of King Charles – BBC News

York net zero projects funding confirmation (£3m):

North Yorkshire County Council