Climate Action initiative

Climate Action - Lower Kersal and Spike Island

The Climate Action initiative is a partnership led by Salix Homes, Salford City Council and the Environment Agency. It aimed to engage the community of Spike Island and Lower Kersal in East Salford in taking action to raise awareness of climate change, reduce their carbon footprint and prepare for the future impacts of climate change.

This involved the creation of a long-term climate change action plan with residents, community leaders and local community champions. This aims to deliver a range of community based projects to encourage community involvement, raise awareness of Climate Action, stimulate climate friendly behaviour and help to prepare people in the event of flooding to their properties.

Community events were held giving local residents the opportunity to talk about climate change. Residents have had information packs with tips on what to do to address climate change. The local primary schools have been involved, trees have been planted along with community greening projects, community allotments, an orchard, an apiary project, flood resistant work carried out in properties, energy saving advice given, loft insulation fitted and real time monitors issued. Pledge cards are being used, a website has been developed and a film is being created through a social reporting project.

Embedding climate friendly activity is at an early stage, but established groups such as the Kersal Allotments and Apiary group have already indicated their enthusiasm to get involved in working towards a Climate Change Action plan. All the projects have lead to a positive impact for the wider environment. Trees have been planted across the Spike Island estate; fruit, vegetables and flowers have been grown; school grounds habitats improved; rubbish cleared; as well as energy saved and flood resistance measures installed.

The energy efficiency project shows that lifetime savings from the measures which have been put in place, amount to over £100,000 and 563 tonnes of CO2. Work will continue to embed climate friendly activity across the local area and learn lessons that might be applied across other neighbourhoods in Salford.

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