Community Buildings: Help Tackle Climate Change and Restore Nature

Feb 11, 2025

Village halls, sports clubs and other rural community facilities can play a key role in tackling climate change and restoring nature. By improving energy efficiency, using renewable energy sources, and engaging with local residents, these spaces can reduce their carbon footprints and boost local biodiversity whilst also helping to educate and inspire action across the wider community.

A good starting point is to see if savings on your energy bill can be made. Utility Aid are the largest energy broker for the not-for-profit sector. They are able to help facilities to check if they are on the right meter profile, review the costs of existing tariffs and identify the lowest possible prices – a free audit of bills can be requested here. They also offer a national charity tender allowing groups to join together and save on their energy tariffs.

The Net Zero Design Guide published by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) outlines what can be done to improve the energy efficiency of village halls and community buildings. Read more about ACRE’s campaign to help village halls “Go Green”.  ACRE administer the Rural Community Buildings Loan Fund, which provides loans of up to £20,000 to fill temporary gaps in funding,

Visit Sport England’s Sustainability website to explore resources to help sports clubs and community facilities take action.  A comprehensive guide highlights key environmental sustainability principles to consider through the a project development process, from inception through to day-to-day operation of the completed facility.  Two case studies are available including a village hall in Norfolk.  Flood and drought planning is also available.

Valuable, and free to access, resources are provided by the Lawn and Tennis Association under Environmental Sustainability including energy saving advice, an action plan and corresponding statement. With advice from sustainability experts, the  action plan has been broken up into nine core areas with tips and recommendations and can be adapted to any venue.

The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) has developed Solar Wizard, an online tool to support community organisations and local authorities across the UK to evaluate their rooftop solar potential more easily.  Explore options for making community buildings more energy efficient and create an action plan with a free Energy improvements in community buildings resource.

The Energy Savings Trust has published a Procurement Pathway to bring together the advice and guidance materials for charities and social enterprises looking to procure energy efficiency upgrades and install low carbon technologies in their buildings.  Find out more from Good Finance

South Gloucestershire Council’s Business Nature Action Plan (BNAP) for a step-by-step practical guide on what management committees can do to improve biodiversity on land and building under their care. A corresponding Local Nature Action Plan Field Guide will help to understand biodiversity.

Local Support

  • Snitterfield Actioning Climate Change (SACC) has supported Snitterfield’s community facilities through practical measures, saving carbon and money
  • Harbury Future Energy helped Harbury’s village hall with a major retrofit, as well as the library, school, Scout hut, rugby clubhouse and advised the church on energy efficiency measures.
  • Wixford Village Hall a brand new facility funded in part by the Community Ownership Fund (fund now closed)

Independent Advice

  • Midlands Net Zero Hub a fully-funded service for energy projects and feasibility studies, to get “bid-ready” for grant applications
  • Halls Together was formed by local ACRE representatives, including WRCC, and supports village halls, community halls, and other community buildings across Warwickshire, Solihull, Leicestershire, Rutland.

MyCommunity

MyCommunity has compiled a Capital Funding directory to help preserve, refurbish or extend an existing asset. It focuses on including the main national funders, lenders and other sources of funding for capital projects. MyCommunity also provides a wealth of other resources, including business planning, governance, and marketing to help not-for-profit organisations who manage community assets, such as playing fields, sports clubs, halls and other public facilities.  More recent content was developed to assist groups to prepare applications for the (fund now closed) Community Ownership Fund.  Find out more about MyCommunity and its contributing partners listed below.

ACRE / ActionFunder / Co-operatives UK / Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities / Groundwork / Local Trust / Locality / NAVCA / NCVO / New Economics Foundation / Plunkett UK / Power to Change

Funding and Grants

Blended Finance

The Energy Resilience Fund (ERF) is providing a blended funding package of loan (60%) and grant (40%). Incorporated voluntary, community or social enterprise organisations that are looking to install energy saving measures or generation technology to buildings/ land, and/ or to purchase energy efficient or environmentally friendly vehicles or equipment are invited to apply for the fund.  If required, the fund will arrange an energy audit before continuing with the application process. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are unable to access mainstream bank lending for the work. There is no deadline for applications.

Public Works Loans

Parish and town councils can apply for borrowing on capital projects through the Public Works Loan Board operated by the UK Debt Management Office. The facility lends to parish and town councils in England. Applicants must obtain borrowing approval from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, which they should approach WALC for. PWLB cannot accept applications directly.

Local authority-specific

Actions to consider

Energy Efficiency in Building Fabric

  • Insulation and Draught Proofing: By improving the insulation in walls, roofs, and floors, as well as sealing any gaps or draughts around doors and windows, these buildings can reduce the energy needed for heating and cooling. Proper insulation is a highly effective and cost-efficient way to reduce carbon emissions.
  • Energy-efficient Windows and Doors: Upgrading to double or triple-glazed windows and better doors can help retain heat in winter and keep cool air inside during the summer months.
  • Green Roofs and Walls: Installing green roofs or living walls can provide natural insulation, reduce energy demand, and help absorb carbon dioxide, contributing to biodiversity.
  • Building Materials: When undertaking renovations or new construction, using low-carbon materials such as sustainably sourced wood, recycled materials, and natural insulation (e.g., wool or hemp) can significantly reduce the carbon footprint.

Renewable Energy Integration

  • Solar Panels: Installing photovoltaic solar panels on the roofs of village halls and sports clubs can generate clean, renewable electricity. This energy can be used on-site for lighting, heating, or even charging electric vehicles, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering operating costs.
  • Solar Thermal Heating: Solar thermal systems can be used to heat water for showers, kitchens, or other facilities within the buildings, reducing the need for gas or electric water heating.
  • Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP): These systems use the relatively constant temperature of the earth to provide heating and cooling. They can be a highly efficient alternative to traditional heating systems in buildings like sports halls.
  • Wind Power: If the location is suitable, small-scale wind turbines could be installed to generate electricity and power the facilities.
  • Biomass Boilers: For larger buildings or where other renewable systems may not be feasible, biomass boilers that use organic materials (wood pellets, chips, etc.) can provide heating and hot water in a carbon-neutral way.

Sustainable Energy Management

  • Energy Storage Systems: Installing energy storage systems like batteries can help store excess energy generated from renewables (especially solar) to be used when production is low (e.g., at night or during cloudy weather). This would reduce the building’s reliance on the grid.
  • Smart Energy Systems: Smart meters and building energy management systems (BEMS) can help monitor and control energy use, ensuring energy is consumed more efficiently, reducing waste, and optimizing the use of renewable energy.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points: As electric vehicles become more popular, village halls and sports clubs can install charging points. These could be powered by on-site renewable energy, encouraging the transition to low-emission transport.
  • Flood lighting: Installing more energy efficient LED floodlights can help to reduce costs, see LTA case studies  and LTA floodlighting webinar

Restoring Nature

  • Swift Boxes: Swifts are migratory birds that need specific nesting sites. Installing swift boxes on the exterior of buildings (preferably high up on the walls or under the eaves) provides them with safe, sheltered spaces to nest. Swifts are in decline due to the loss of suitable nesting sites, so providing these boxes can help support local populations.
  • Bat Boxes: Bats are essential for pest control, as they eat vast quantities of insects, including mosquitoes and moths. Bat boxes can be mounted on trees, walls, or buildings to offer roosting sites for different bat species. These boxes are especially important as many bat species have lost natural roosting sites due to modern buildings and habitat destruction.
  • Wildflower Meadows: Community buildings can transform parts of their grounds into wildflower meadows or pollinator-friendly gardens. Native wildflowers attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and moths, helping to support local ecosystems. Wildflower meadows can be seeded in lawns, around the perimeter of buildings, or in designated garden areas.
  • Bee Hotels: Providing bee hotels or artificial nests for solitary bees is another effective way to support pollinators. These can be mounted on walls, fences, or garden structures. These insects are important for pollination and are often in decline due to habitat loss.
  • Native Plants: Focusing on native, nectar-rich plants such as lavender, daisies, foxgloves, and coneflowers provides vital food sources for pollinators throughout the seasons. Native plants also support local wildlife by providing natural food sources for other animals like birds, insects, and small mammals.
  • Creating Pollinator Corridors: If there are multiple community buildings or spaces in a neighborhood, they could collaborate to create a network of pollinator corridors. By planting pollinator-friendly plants and habitats between buildings, it creates a continuous route for pollinators to travel and feed.
  • Hedgehog Homes: Installing hedgehog houses and leaving gaps in fences to allow hedgehogs to pass through encourages these nocturnal creatures to thrive. Community gardens can also leave areas of long grass or wild areas where hedgehogs can forage for food and shelter.
  • Pond or Wetland Creation: If space allows, creating a small pond or wetland area can provide critical habitat for amphibians, birds, and insects. Ponds attract pollinators, support aquatic plants, and provide shelter for frogs, newts, and other wildlife.
  • Log Piles and Compost Heaps: Leaving a corner of the garden for log piles or compost heaps can create homes for invertebrates, small mammals, and fungi. These areas provide shelter and food for various species, contributing to a more biodiverse environment.
  • Green Spaces and Tree Planting: Planting native trees and shrubs around the community building creates a habitat for birds, small mammals, and insects. Trees can also provide much-needed shade, cooling the area and improving air quality.
  • Rain Gardens: A rain garden can be installed to capture rainwater runoff and filter it naturally, reducing the risk of flooding and creating a habitat for water-loving plants. These gardens also support local wildlife and help improve water quality.
  • Sustainable Landscaping: Landscaping with native and drought-tolerant plants reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which can harm pollinators. It also reduces water usage, making the space more eco-friendly.
  • Composting: Community buildings can create composting stations to recycle organic waste into nutrient-rich soil. This is beneficial for pollinator plants and wildflower gardens and reduces landfill waste.

Community Engagement and Education

  • Raising Awareness: Local rural spaces can act as community hubs for educating residents about climate change, sustainability, and renewable energy. Hosting workshops or events on how to reduce energy use at home or the benefits of renewable energy could have a wider-reaching impact.
  • Low Carbon Open Homes (and Buildings): By making these buildings energy-efficient and sustainable, they become real-world examples for other institutions and local residents to learn from and replicate, creating a wider culture of sustainability in the community.
  • Supporting Green Initiatives: Village halls and sports clubs can partner with their parish councils and community groups to support and promote local initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and restore nature, from planting trees, restoring hedges to pollinator-friendly planting.
  • Wildlife Education Programs: The community building can host educational workshops or events focused on local wildlife conservation and how people can help restore nature in their own gardens and homes. Topics might include the importance of pollinators, bat and bird conservation, and how to create wildlife-friendly spaces.
  • Citizen Science Projects: Community members can get involved in local wildlife surveys or monitoring efforts, such as tracking bat populations, identifying local bird species, or participating in bee counts. This helps raise awareness and contributes to local conservation efforts.
  • Encouraging Sustainable Gardening: Encourage local residents and visitors to practice sustainable gardening techniques, such as growing organic vegetables, using rainwater for irrigation, and avoiding the use of pesticides and herbicides, which can be harmful to wildlife.