The Climate Emergency

As part of the Council's response to declaring a Climate Emergency in the borough a Climate Emergency Fund (CEF) has been established to support a range of low carbon projects in west Cheshire. This fund will support the ambition for the borough to be carbon neutral by 2045.

Applications for this round of funding close on 23 August 2023. Further funding will be released over the next two financial years up until 2025.

Who is eligible to bid?

Eligible applicants include Council-run services, Council Companies, Town or Parish Councils, voluntary organisations, community groups, small charities or other not-for-profit-organisations.

How much can organisations bid for?

The minimum level of capital investment which will be considered for the CEF is £10,000 for community-led bids. The Investment Team has not set a specific maximum investment for a single project beyond the available funding envelope set out in the guidance documents.

What we can fund

Projects that tackle the climate emergency by delivering quantifiable carbon benefits. Examples include but are not limited to:

• Renewable energy projects
• Energy efficiency projects
• Heat pump projects
• Zero or low carbon transport
• Waste reduction
• Natural capital/natural environment projects
• Adaptation Projects.

How to apply

Applications can be made before the 23 August 2023 deadline. Please complete Appendix 1: Capital business case 2023-27 with the information requested in the document.

The Investment team welcomes concise submissions that use lists, tables and bullet points to relay key information. Dependent of the stage of project development, you may not have precise information; please provide the most accurate information you can, specifying the source and highlighting where you have made assumptions.

Please flag any commercially confidential information.

Applicants must send the following supporting documents with their applications:

• A constitution, standing orders, articles of association or similar
• Bank account details and statements (payments cannot be made to individuals)

Please review the guidance notes before submitting your application.

If you would like an informal discussion about your proposal before submitting your application, please get in touch by emailing: climatechange@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk