News

The NWDA, together with the Manchester International Festival and Positive Impact held a half day seminar exploring best practice in Sustainable Event Management. The event examined how Sustainable Event Management can improve the social, economic and environmental impacts of sporting and cultural events, as well as large scale conferences.

More information: http://dotm1.net/1204841/352542449/59464085/692828/70270/0/t2.aspx

The Northwest Climate Change Partnership (NWCCP) has been approached by Defra to access up to £140,000 over the next three years to support the development of the Regional Adaptation Group, with an initial bid having been prepared. It is likely that the NWCCP will bid for additional support for research activities and the further development of the work plan for the Northwest Adaptation Group.

The Joule Centre, a partnership of Northwest Universities, commercial organisations and other stakeholders associated with the energy industry, is inviting proposals for research projects from eligible organisations within the Northwest. In this, its 4th call for grant proposals, the Joule Centre, which is funded by the NWDA invites applications for "Seed Corn" Grants, which can be awarded for research on any aspect of energy and may last for up to one year.

The NWDA recently marked World Environment Day by welcoming Helen Jones, MP for Warrington North and Warrington Wolves' players Steve Pickersgill and Chris Bridge, to officially launch its state-of-the-art Wind Turbine. Standing almost 25m high, the Turbine will feed directly into the Agency's electrical supply and will have a CO₂ emission saving of 9,675kg per year.

The NWDA has approved a £600,000 investment over the next three years to promote domestic energy efficiency and greener travel choices. The funding will support the roll out of the Energy Savings Trust Advice Centres across the Northwest and the implementation of a Low Carbon Housing and Fuel Poverty Activity Plan. It will also improve coordination of travel planning to promote public transport within the region.

At its July meeting, the Environment sub-committee of the Board reviewed a report which evaluated the NWDA's management of the Business Resource Efficiency and Waste Minimisation (BREW) programme over the last three year. The evaluation found that the programme against targets delivering £15million cost savings achieved on the back of BREW funding of £3.56million.

In other words, every £1 invested by the BREW Northwest Regional Development Agency Programme had delivered over £4 of savings to Northwest businesses plus significant carbon and waste savings.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has approved a £1.5 million grant towards the construction of EA Technology’s Energy Innovation Centre which will based in Capenhurst near Chester.

Lancashire Wildlife Trust has announced the winner of its competition to design a visitor facility for the Brockholes Wetland and Woodland Nature Reserve, near Preston.

Adam Khan Architects was selected by the Trust for its inspirational design concept: "A Floating World", following an interview in February 2008. Designed as a cluster of buildings constructed largely of wood and other sustainable materials, it resembles an ancient marshland village.

Free Training Available on the Sustainable Development Checklist The Sustainable Development Checklist website has now gone live at www.sdchecklist-northwest.org.uk