COMMUNITIES across Hampshire will be able to take action on climate change as The Greening Campaign receives almost £0.5m of National Lottery Funding.

Following a successful bid, and in partnership with Hampshire County Council, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Southampton University, £495,000 of funding will allow The Greening Campaign to work with more communities to make meaningful changes to tackle climate change.

Possible changes include improving the energy efficiency of people's homes, reducing CO2 and waste, reusing and repairing, being more sustainable through locally grown produce, and providing greenspaces for wildlife to thrive.

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Leader of Hampshire County Council, Rob Humby, said: “This funding is great news for Hampshire communities and our efforts to support residents to help tackle the climate crisis locally. We know that we can only succeed in meeting the challenge of tackling climate change when we all work together – taking action wherever possible to create real and lasting change.

“As a local authority, we simply cannot do this alone. Hampshire’s residents and communities have a vital role in reducing emissions and preparing for the impacts of climate change in their own homes and through lifestyle choices.”

Terena Plowright, founder of the Greening Campaign, added: “Declaring a ‘Climate Emergency’ makes us feel we need to rush about doing something, but many of us feel pretty helpless and overwhelmed in the face of such a huge challenge – whether due to lack of knowledge, support, or experience.

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“That’s where the Green Campaign comes in – offering a helping hand through commissioned experts working in communities across Hampshire. This funding will help us continue that critical support, as well as our work with Greening Campaign partner Southampton University, who are monitoring and evaluating changes enabling us to evidence the real differences being made.”

The Greening Campaign is a structured process which guides communities to act on climate change and biodiversity locally. The campaign works in rural villages and towns and alongside parish and town councils, resident associations, and libraries to support communities in deprived areas. Hampshire County Council has been working with the campaign since 2020.

Residents who want to find out more about the campaign and what it does to tackle climate change are invited to meet representatives from The Greening Campaign at a public event at 6.30pm on June 12 at Elizabeth II Court on Sussex Street, Winchester.