Guide to help schools develop a school climate action plan

A guide to help schools to develop a climate action plan, a requirement set out by the Department for Education, has been developed by the Council’s Climate Change Team. Creating a climate action plan will help to set out the steps schools are taking to meet climate targets, providing an opportunity for students and staff to understand more about the topic and open up discussions about developing green skills. It could also help reduce energy bills and prepare schools to deal with the negative effects of climate change, such as overheating. 

Read more about the guide

Funding available for west Cheshire projects that tackle the Climate Emergency

Lots of local projects are live and fundraising on Cheshire West Crowd, with many projects put forward that are helping to improve the energy efficiency of properties or install renewable energy systems, such as solar panels or air source heat pumps. It’s not too late to get involved if you have a project that tackles the Climate Emergency by delivering quantifiable carbon benefits. The Climate Change emergency fund, worth £80,000, can provide capital investment for projects if they meet the funding criteria. The deadline to create your project, pass verification and launch your crowdfunding campaign is Friday, 26 September.

Find out more about Cheshire West Crowd and how to create a project

Have your say on walking, wheeling and cycling in Hartford, Weaverham, Frodsham, Helsby and Neston

Residents are being invited to share their views on how to improve walking, wheeling and cycling in Hartford, Weaverham, Frodsham, Helsby and Neston. The Council’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan wants to add improvements for these areas, and views are now invited to develop these plans to make active travel as easy and safe as possible. There are a number of drop-in sessions due to take place over the coming weeks or you can have your say online.

Have your say

Free adult and family cycle training available

The Council is working with cycle trainers Bikeright to offer residents access to adult and family cycle training across the borough. The training will be tailored to suit your needs, whether you are a complete beginner or want to learn some more advance skills on your bike. Courses are available on a one-to-one basis with an instructor at a time and location that suits you. For family training, up to a maximum of six people can receive the training within your group. 

Find out more and sign up

We all get recycling now do it right

Residents are being encouraged by the Council to build upon the borough’s excellent recycling rates by supporting communities to ‘recycle right’. The borough has one of the highest recycling rates in the country at over 59% but even more can be done to ensure the correct items are recycled. Specialist advisors will visit homes who have been identified as putting wrong items in their recycling containers, so they can be given more support through the Recycle Right campaign.

Read more about the Recycle Right campaigns

Graduating student recognised for pivotal and pioneering volunteer roles

A soon-to-be graduate has made a difference for the environment and fellow students as “the driving force” behind a new volunteer-run scheme at the University of Chester. Yana Laszcziw has been praised for her care, enthusiasm and dedication in leading a team of students in setting up and running the University’s first-ever clothes and accessories Swap Shop following some Carbon Literacy training that she took part in. Yana was commended for her work at the University’s Student Volunteer of the Year Awards 2025.

Read more about Yana’s project

Eco Communities launch new sustainable business guide 

Local sustainability experts, Eco Communities, are exploring new ways to support businesses on their sustainability journey and have recently launched a sustainable business guide. Their goal is to empower businesses of all sizes to take action, creating a more sustainable, resilient future for everyone. The team are offering carbon reduction workshops and carbon literacy training designed to make sustainability accessible, realistic, and most importantly—actionable.

Find out about the support on offer for local businesses

Dates for your diary 

13 – 14 September: Nature Fest at Chester Zoo A fun-filled, free-to-enter event celebrating the beauty of native wildlife and plant life conservation.

20 September: Chester Repair Café at Hoole Community Centre

21 September: Chester Cycle Campaign's Glamorous Gals and Dapper Chaps Cycle Ride

22 September: World Car Free Day – Visit Living Street's website for inspiration to help you go car free on this day

October:  International Walk to School Month - Celebrate the joys of walking or wheeling to school. Visit Living Street's website for more information and resources.

13 –  17 October: Cycle to School Week  - Pledge to pedal during cycle to school week.  Find out more information and access resources on Bikeability’s website.