Natasha Bridge is a Business Manager for the Greater Brighton Economic Board, with a co-ordination role for Sussex Energy, a regional collaboration to accelerate the transition to locally generated, zero-carbon energy. She explains how the mission aims to make Sussex energy-neutral by 2040 – and why it matters for residents, businesses
CPRE Sussex has received National Lottery funding to continue supporting community tree planting in Brighton & Hove. The charity successfully bid for £8,600 from the National Lottery Community Fund to support its Plant Your Postcode (PYP) scheme. Nancy Duckels, CPRE Sussex Campaigns and Communications Manager, said: “Tree canopy in
With energy bills forecast to rise again this summer, a retired couple in East Sussex say a government-funded home upgrade has seen their monthly electricity bills fall by two-thirds. Sonia Plato, who lives with her husband Dave, said their 1883 property in Crowhurst had a G energy rating - the
A quiet industrial unit in Bexhill-on-Sea doesn't look like the future of home heating. But inside Vistry's Community Heat Hub at The Gateway development, a system of heat pumps and heat networks is already supplying warmth and hot water to hundreds of new homes. When the
A man-made harbour wall could create a thriving marine ecosystem in Sussex, creating new homes for diverse species while boosting biodiversity. It comes as global populations of marine species declined by almost half between 1970 and 2012, and coral reefs – which support a quarter of all marine life – are projected
Editor note: This one is just over the border into East Hampshire - but I thought it was worth sharing as a project by Energise South Downs, which covers parts of Sussex. A community energy project involving two neighbouring family businesses in Petersfield will see 200 park home residents save
Volunteers of all ages have been hard at work planting new hedgerows on the Manhood Peninsula. Two kilometres of hedgerow – around 10,000 trees – are being planted in Ham, Sidlesham, as part of the latest Hedgerow Heroes project. The project is being run by CPRE Sussex in partnership with the
A Southbourne charity providing life-changing horticultural therapy to vulnerable children and adults is hoping it can raise £4,000 which will be doubled by The Big Give, as rising costs has left it in ‘a really difficult financial position’. Tuppenny Barn is one of a growing number of UK charities
Old electricity network poles made redundant by a £3.8 million network upgrade on the edge of Bognor Regis now have a new use – as part of a wildlife habitat. The works by SSE (Scottish and Southern Electricity), close to Bersted Brooks nature reserve, have meant a number of wooden
As energy prices rise across the country this month, a wildlife hospital in Sidlesham said it was a ‘no-brainer’ to invest in solar panels after saving £3,000 and counting since its installation. Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital had 51 solar panels installed on the rooftops of two of its buildings
A new and upgraded shared-use path which connects Bognor Regis to the South Downs will encourage active travel to schools and around the town, West Sussex County Council said. Councillor Joy Dennis, West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport said: “The new Felpham Way shared path
Whether you want to plant trees on your front lawn or create a mini-orchard for your community space, Chichester District Council is providing free trees and materials to create greener spaces across the district. Residents, community groups, organisations, farmers and parish councils can apply for free trees and support materials
A Brighton neighbourhood has made a major step towards cutting carbon emissions in a first-of-its-kind initiative. Residents of Preston Park have been signing up to have free solar panels installed on their homes as part of the ‘Preston Park Community Energy’ programme, supported by Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-operative
Southbourne charity Tuppenny Barn saw its energy bills rise from £300 a month with heating to £1,000 without in just two years. “It was jackets on for everybody,” said founder Maggie Haynes. But a generous offer by a local solar company to install 10 solar panels and a battery
Battle was put on the map in 1066 - and it could be made famous once more if residents succeed in their mission to make it Britain’s first ‘solar town’. Community group Battle Solar Town has set an ambitious target to generate 25% of the town’s energy demand
There are not many places where you'll find a pair of bath taps, a piece of artwork and part of an old dinghy all offered for free and snapped up in a matter of hours. But these items and more were advertised on C.R.A.P. Arundel/
Fashion lovers in Chichester can refresh their wardrobes sustainably and affordably, thanks to free clothes swaps and preloved sales being held across the city. And one event takes place during Great Big Green Week (June 7-15), which has a theme of ‘Let's swap together for good’. Graylingwell Chapel’
A baby bank and children's charity which donates preloved items to families in need has moved to a larger premises in Brighton & Hove as the need for its services grows. Pelican Parcels was founded in 2018 by Shelley and James Bennett, who wanted to gift some of
Students and staff at the University of Brighton are helping save one of Britain’s most endangered creatures: the hedgehog. With hedgehog numbers in the UK falling by around 75% since 2000, these prickly creatures are becoming an increasingly rare sight. But the University of Brighton is working to change
The Branch Out Tree Festival Symposium is coming to Shoreham on Saturday, June 14. The event will bring together nature lovers, professionals and community members to explore the world of trees. Attendees and panellists will discuss how to plant, protect and care for trees to restore biodiversity, tackle the climate
Grow your own food, create a greener wardrobe and take part in a community litter pick as part of Great Big Green Week in June. The week-long celebration takes place from June 7 to 15 across the UK, and will encourage communities to hold events which tackle climate change and
Residents of The Belmont, a block of 36 retirement flats in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, are benefiting from significantly reduced energy costs and warmer homes following a major solar and insulation retrofit project. The initiative, a collaboration between community energy co-operative Energise Sussex Coast (ESC), E.ON, and The Belmont'
An historic Rother village with one of the highest carbon footprints in the county could soon be home to a pioneering solar farm and biodiversity project - which will generate clean energy, support local wildlife and help residents cut their energy bills. The Crowhurst solar farm is proposed by Energise
Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital is set to save around £2,000 a year on electricity costs after 51 solar panels were installed on the rooftops of its two buildings in Sidlesham. The charity rehabilitates injured and sick wildlife with the goal of releasing animals back into their natural habitats. It