Findhorn Ecovillage Trust awarded £4.6k grant

A four-figure grant generated by natural energy is being invested in a local environmental project.

The Park Ecovillage Trust has been awarded £4600 for its Carbon Action education project, ultimately aimed at reducing the carbon footprint.

Project spokeswoman, Amanda Haworth, confirmed the funding will be used for educational materials, as well as to pay for a group leader and carbon specialists.

She said: “We are very grateful to have been awarded the full sum we applied for. The funding will cover a series of gatherings for a pilot group of 10 individuals.

““The aim is that the group considerably reduces its combined carbon emissions.”

Through education and information via discussion and sharing, the trust aims to encourage participants to “make real changes in their lives”.

“People have routines and habits but no notion of the carbon effect that these have,” said Amanda. “There will be some gaps between group meetings so that participants can test and practice new behaviours.

“New Carbon Action groups will subsequently be based upon the experiences of this pilot group, and the carbon reduction it achieves.”

The Park Ecovillage Trust will also measure the entire ecovillage community carbon footprint for 2024.

“This will bring in data which will be analysed for the fifth report,” said Amanda. “Surveys and other ways of compiling data will be used to form a baseline for future carbon reductions.”

He finished: “Any serious attempt for a community to reduce its carbon footprint must include all individuals and households in making lifestyle changes.

“We need to reduce our individual carbon footprints to two tons CO2 per person to stay within the safe ‘carbon corridor’. At present the average emission in the UK is 12 tons per person.”