Our Positive Climate Partnership (PCP) has continued to go from strength to strength in 2023 as it continues to champion and co-ordinate local action on climate change.
Aligned to the council’s Sustainable Barnsley vision, the partnership embodies a collaborative effort uniting the council, local businesses, community groups, and residents in a shared commitment to combat climate change and promote sustainable practices.
At its core, this partnership focuses on implementing comprehensive strategies and initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, advocating for renewable energy adoption, and fostering eco-conscious behaviours across the borough.
The group doubled in size in 2023 and has grown to include representatives from over 35 small and large organisations in the public and private sector, such as Evri, Stagecoach, Barnsley College, National Trust, Barnsley Council and Northern Powergrid, who will collectively impact and build momentum around the zero-carbon goal.
Over the past year, the partnership has created two new sub-groups to lead the way on climate education and alternative fuels and electric vehicles across the borough.
The Climate Education group created its own accredited Carbon Literacy course, which is designed to support local businesses to take the first steps on their Net Zero journeys.
So far, the course has been delivered to 39 individuals from 18 different organisations with plans to extend the offering to more businesses, as well as voluntary organisations, this year.
The PCP has also recently appointed two new Vice Chairs – Lucie Rowley, ESG Manager at Evri, and Sasha Beswick, Sustainability Officer at Barnsley College. Both individuals will bring a wealth of knowledge on sustainability and climate change related issues and have experience covering both the public and private sectors.
Matt Travis, Chair of the PCP, said: “What a fantastic year we’ve had in 2023. We’ve almost doubled the number of businesses attending the group, spread our membership into rewilding/farming and the charity sector, all topped off by running a series of fully funded Carbon Literacy courses for businesses and charities within the borough. Now that we have appointed two new vice chairs we are well set for a dynamic and exciting 2024.”
Councillor Higginbottom, Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment and Transport, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the group’s achievements this year. These successes would not have been possible without the goodwill, collaborative working and effective use of resources demonstrated by its members. The PCP is now translating vision and ideas into collective action and that action will have a positive impact on the environment, society, and economy as we strive to reach our carbon net zero targets as a council by 2040 and as a borough in 2045. We look forward to continuing to work with both the private and third sectors through the PCP to achieve these collective climate goals.”
The appointment of the two new Vice Chairs, the success of the Carbon Literacy Training course and the continued expansion in membership puts the PCP in a strong position to further extend its influence in 2024. The PCP looks forward to continuing its support of the borough to make progress towards its target of becoming net zero by 2045 and helping businesses of all sizes, public sector bodies and charitable organisations to make this journey together.
If you are interested in joining the PCP to help Barnsley reach its net zero goals, please contact sustainability&climatechange@barnsley.gov.uk.
You can read more about the PCP’s success stories on our webpage.
