Date published: 2024-11-19 | Category: Bath, Climate Emergency, Communities and volunteering, Delivering for local residents, recovery and renewal
A volunteer-led climate group has been celebrating the launch of its new base in the centre of Bath thanks to support from Bath& North East Somerset Council.
Climate Hub B&NES, which was set up by local residents to engage the community, share knowledge and provide information about how everyone can respond to the climate and biodiversity crisis, has opened in the former First Bus in Bath ticket office in the rotunda at Bath Bus Station.
The volunteer organisation has had several pop-up events in Bath, but this is the first time it has had its own public-facing space. The council’s Vacant Unit Action Project, which supports the re-use of empty buildings on the high street for community and commercial use, helped to find the space and has provided a small grant in support.
Councillor Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, said: “I would like to thank First Bus in Bath for offering this space for the community. It is fantastic to see the empty ticket office brought back into use again. The council’s Vacant Unit Action Project has been working with the Climate Hub for a while and this is a good example of how we are working in partnership with community groups and businesses to achieve action on climate.”
The hub will offer a welcoming environment where residents, commuters and visitors can learn about nature and climate, discover sustainable living tips and get involved in campaigns for a greener Bath and North East Somerset.
Climate Hub B&NES will also offer a space for partner organisations working on nature and climate-related projects to showcase their work for a month at a time.
Councillor Oli Henman, Cabinet Project Lead for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel, said: “The council is committed to working with local groups and providing support and collaboration necessary to achieve our strategic priorities, drive down carbon emissions and achieve our net zero ambition. The new Climate Hub will play a key role in engaging with communities and promoting local action and we hope that residents, visitors and business owners will drop in to the new location for information on sustainable travel, energy efficiency, biodiversity and more.”
The hub is running a crowdfunder campaign to raise funds to extend and support its work as it moves into the new space.
Mel Clarke, Chair of Trustees at Climate Hub B&NES, said: “We are really excited to have this space in such a central location. It will be open every day and staffed for as many hours as we have volunteers. There will be a wealth of resources and information, including displays about climate science, the importance of connecting with nature, sustainable fashion and ‘greenwashing’ and many more. There will be a children’s area, and library, as well as information about local nature and environment related events. We’ll also be inviting other ‘green’ groups to join us each month to promote their work.”
The Vacant Unit Action Project is funded by the West of England Combined Authority’s ‘Love our High Streets’ and ‘High Street Recovery’ funds.
ENDS
Photo caption: Councillor Sarah Warren, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel; Councillor Oli Henman, Cabinet Project Lead for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel; Councillor John Leach, a Trustee of the hub; with other trustees of the Climate Hub at the official opening on Saturday November 16.