29 Jul 2024

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Projects which help address climate change goals are now able to apply to Christchurch City Council’s Sustainability Fund.

The $380,000 funding pool is open to anyone – from grassroots community organisations and schools to social enterprises and businesses.

The key objectives behind the scheme are to meet the challenge of climate change through every means available, to help the community understand and prepare for the ongoing impacts of climate change, benefit from a transition to an innovative, low-emission economy and be guardians of our natural environment and taonga.

Strategy, Planning and Regulatory General Manager John Higgins said there is always a broad range of projects that are supported by the fund.

“The different groups who apply for funding never cease to amaze us with the innovative and inventive schemes they’re working on,” he said.

“We want to continue to help foster new projects that will help reduce greenhouse gases or build community resilience in adapting to the impacts of climate change.”

Last year the fund supported native planting in the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor and a local startup which assists businesses in accessing discounted bike and scooter schemes to help more people use alternative modes of transport.

An action learning programme that works with schools to become kaitiaki and take action to improve the longfin tuna/eel, a curtain bank which helps make 450 households per year warmer using recycled curtains and a wide range of community food growing projects also received funding.

“We know there are even more out there to support this year that will bring wide reaching benefits to the communities in Ōtautahi Christchurch and Te Pataka o Rakaihautū Banks Peninsula,” Mr Higgins said.

Applications to the Sustainability Fund close on 30 August 2024. Funding decisions will be made in November 2024.

For more information or to apply visit the Sustainability Fund.