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How to reduce your impact on the environment

The Climate Emergency is everybody’s business.

That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund supports UK groups and communities to reduce their impact on the environment.

In this article, you’ll find tips for how to do that, and learn about some funding opportunities that could help.

Make a start

Thinking about your environmental impact, and what you can do to improve it, can feel like a lot. However, being smarter about reducing waste and being more energy efficient can help you save money on your running costs, too.

Here are a few simple tips to get started.

Waste less, recycle more

Prevent waste from getting into landfills by recycling more of what you use.

The Carbon Trust have published a wide range of free guides and resources to help tackle Net Zero, energy efficiency, and carbon reduction waste.

Switch to a green energy supplier

You can find out how to switch to a green and competitive energy supplier through social business Big Clean Switch. The Carbon Trust also offers guidance on reducing energy use at home for inspiration.

Plan greener events

Considering the environment when you plan events is a simple and effective way to save resources, time, and money. A great way to do this is to look to your community for ideas. The Eden Project has lots of inspiration for what to do, and what to consider.

Where to get more help

There’s lots of support available to help you do what you can with the resources you have.

For groups and projects in Wales

Egin is a Welsh partner of The National Lottery Community Fund that offers free mentoring support, help to make a climate action plan, training, and an online community to share knowledge and ideas.

For groups and projects in Scotland

  • Zero Waste Scotland provides free sustainability advice for organisations looking for ways to reduce their energy costs and cut waste.
  • Community Energy Scotland gives support for renewable energy projects that benefit your community. They can help with funding sources and applications, feasibility assessments, community consultation, and more.
  • Local Energy Scotland manages CARES, the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme. It provides advice and funding in all aspects of local renewable energy, including free online tools and good practice guides.
  • Keep Scotland Beautiful delivers The Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund, which supports community-led organisations run projects that reduce local carbon emissions.
  • Green Scotland has a wide range of information and resources, from green travel to reducing food waste.
  • The Rural Network Scotland connects people, communities, and organisations across rural Scotland to share knowledge, experience, and ideas for tackling climate change.

For groups and projects in Northern Ireland

  • Northern Ireland Environment Link organise events about environmental issues and policies in Northern Ireland, and regularly publish information about environmental issues from different perspectives.
  • Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful works closely with schools, community organisations, and public sector bodies to improve the quality of local environments. They work to raise public engagement and awareness of environmental improvement campaigns and programmes for people of all ages.
  • Action Renewables provides expertise on renewable energy and energy efficiency, including advice on available technologies, across a range of sectors. They also offer support for Community Renewable Energy Projects.
  • Ulster Wildlife works to protect wildlife and to bring people closer to nature. They restore and protect natural habitats across Northern Ireland, on land and at sea, and are part of a network of independent Wildlife Trusts across the UK.
  • The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) connect people and green spaces across the UK. They run a range of programmes and activities to get people involved in caring for green spaces.
  • Northern Ireland Resources Network connects community groups, charities, and social enterprises to help them all reduce waste. They promote sustainable reuse and repair, and help develop opportunities for a Circular Economy.
  • Sustainable Northern Ireland provides advice and support to organisations looking for ways to become more sustainable. They offer training, workshops, reporting, policy development, and help to develop a climate action plan.
  • NIdirect.gov.uk has a lot of useful information, including: energy efficiency, waste and recycling, environmental quality in your local area, outdoor recreation, and greener homes and gardens.