Climate Change Newsletter Edition 5
Tree planting
Growing a better tomorrow: Our tree planting initiative.
In 2018, Flintshire County Council launched their first Urban Tree and Woodland Plan. This plan set out a strategic vision for the planting of trees across the County particularly focussing on urban areas. This plan sets out a goal of achieving an urban canopy cover of 18% by 2033.
To support the delivery of the urban tree and woodland plan, Flintshire County Council has successfully obtained grant funding from Welsh Government through the Local Places for Nature fund.
As at 2018, urban canopy cover in Flintshire was the seventh lowest in Wales, covering 14.5%. Trees are emblematic of the natural world because of the critical role they play in mitigating climate change, habitat creation and increasing biodiversity. From a human perspective, trees have a positive effect on our mental and physical health, particularly in urban areas.
To achieve the target of 18% canopy cover by 2033, Flintshire County Council have spent the past year working with local councils, communities and schools to identify and agree a number of urban sites for tree planting. Throughout the last tree planting season (December 2022 – March 2023), the Access and Natural Environment teams have carried out substantial new tree planting, having successfully planted 154 standard trees and 7099 whips across the county. Additionally, we are working hard to maintain our existing canopy cover by providing replacement planting where tree removal is necessary. Flintshire County Council are also committed to the development of a Flintshire Forest.
Pupils from schools across the county also gave staff a helping hand to plant over 2500 whips creating over 500m of new hedgerows during planting events.
If your town or community is interested in tree planting, then please contact us to discuss it further biodiversity@flintshire.gov.uk. Sites will be prioritised by potential level of benefit to the community and nature.
Did you know?
Last year we generated 636,395kWh of electricity from the solar PV mounted on our schools, offices and public buildings. This is the equivalent of powering approx.. 219 homes per year.
This is also the equivalent to powering 318 electric cars - depending on weather conditions, car weight and efficiency.
The energy generated from these solar panels is used directly by the building users.
Why is it important to recycle our food waste?
When food waste is left on landfills it sits and rots and creates methane - a very strong greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases contribute to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere and causing the planet to warm. It is important to recycle our food waste to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we are putting into the atmosphere. You can do this by using your food waste caddy.
Where does this recycled food waste go?
When you recycle your food waste in Flintshire it is transported to an anaerobic digestor in St Asaph. Here the food waste is broken down by microorganisms that generates biogas. This can be used as a fuel in a CHP (Combined heat and power) unit, which will generate renewable energy.
What is left over from this process is a nutrient rich biofertiliser that is pasteurised first to kill any pathogens. It is then stored until it is applied twice a year on farmland. This is a better alternative to fossil fuel derived fertiliser.
Ways to help reduce food waste:
- Planning meals.
- Managing portion sizes.
- Knowing how to store different food products in your home.
- Understanding the difference between use-by and best-by date labels.
- Making the most of freezer leftovers.
- Setting your fridge to optimum temperature.
This Month!
Public Inquiry - Achieving Net Zero Carbon
In support of the declarations made by Welsh Government, Flintshire County Council produced and published its first Climate Change Strategy in February 2022.
Covering themes such as land use, buildings, mobility and transport, procurement and behaviour change the Strategy sets out a range of actions the Council will take to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2030. To effectively scrutinise and monitor the Council’s progress against these actions, a Climate Change Committee was created in May 2022.
As part of its work the Climate Change Committee is holding a Public Inquiry on two areas affecting both mitigation of, and adaptation to, a changing climate.
The first is with regards to flooding within the county boundaries of Flintshire, especially surface water flooding, and it is interested to hear from people who have been affected by flooding and whether they feel flood prevention is being addressed appropriately.
The second relates to the Clwyd Pension Fund and the Committee is asking for thoughts on its net zero investment targets and divestment from fossil fuel companies.
The Chairman of the Climate Change Committee, Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson, said:
“This will be the first Public Inquiry held by the Council’s Climate Change Committee, and we are keen to hear from professionals, residents and members of the public who are willing to share their experiences, opinions and thoughts, on one or both of the two topics currently under discussion. The closing date for feedback is 18 August 2023 for Flooding and 4 August 2023 for the Clwyd Pension Scheme and I would encourage as many people as possible to come forward. ”
More information about how to get involved can be found on the Council’s website:
- Clwyd Pension Fund
- Flooding
Residents who are unable to access the online information referred to above can visit one of the Council’s Connect Centres between 9am and 4.30pm on the days listed below:
- Buckley – Tuesday or Thursday.
- Connah’s Quay, Flint or Holywell - Monday to Friday.
- Mold – Monday, Wednesday or Friday.
Wales Nature Week – Flintshire in Flower.
Come and learn about Flintshire's wildflower project and discover the wealth of life these meadows support! Join the biodiversity team, along with other guests for a bioblitz battle between mown and unmown areas to celebrate Wales nature week. This event is fun for all ages! Make sure to wear suitable clothing and footwear.
The event will be held from 10am-12pm in Wepre Park and 1pm and 3pm in Greenfield Valley on the 24th July.
The event is to celebrate Wales nature week which runs from the 22-30th of July, This year’s theme is celebrating natures treasures.