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A million reasons for communities to go green

16/10/2007

"Climate change affects everybody, so having a prize that rewards communities and groups for working together to tackle it makes perfect sense."

The Big Green Challenge from NESTA, is launched as research released by the organisation reveals 9 out of 10 Britons are concerned about the effects of global warming on their communities*.

Run over two years, the competition will see NESTA challenging people from across the UK to work together to demonstrate new ways to reduce their CO2 emissions.

These ideas could either be brand new or a fresh way of applying existing solutions. The group with the most imaginative – and proven – approach at the end of the competition will win the lion's share of the £1m fund.

Around a third of those polled by NESTA thought time to find a solution to the problem of climate change is running out, with almost half claiming individual action is not enough and that fresh thinking on the issue is required.

The research further suggests as many as 17 million people in Britain would be willing to work with others to combat global warming, with two-thirds believing it is everybody's responsibility to take action. Charities (42%) and scientists (28%) were the groups rated most highly for their current efforts to tackle climate change.

Commenting on the Challenge, NESTA Chief Executive Jonathan Kestenbaum said, "If we're really to have an impact on major social issues like this, we need to work together and come up with imaginative solutions that work in the real world. The research suggests the appetite is there for this approach and we're confident the Big Green Challenge – the single largest prize fund of its type - will help stimulate people into action."

The initiative has received backing from environmentalists, business and those from the world of television. Channel 4 presenter Sarah Beeny, who helped launch the challenge, said: "This is a really worthwhile reason to get together with your neighbours, a local club or find like-minded people to join with.

"Climate change affects everybody, so having a prize that rewards communities and groups for working together to tackle it makes perfect sense."

Support for the challenge has also been given by Joan Ruddock, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), who added:

"Climate change is the biggest challenge we face. It's crucial that we engage people and get them to act to tackle it - at home, at work, and in the community. We can't hope to succeed without the innovation, creativity and enthusiasm of the groups that shape our local communities.

"NESTA's contribution is very timely and I welcome this competition. I hope it will act as a spur for people to think creatively about how to reduce our collective carbon footprint and give existing projects fresh impetus."

Who can enter?
Those eligible to enter include groups that are already formed, such as a local branch of the Scouts or a Parent Teacher Association, new groups made up of those with a common interest, or those led by a not-for-profit organisation, such as a charity.

What's next?
Groups interested in applying should register their interest at: www.biggreenchallenge.org.uk. The competition will then be open for initial applications from January to the end of February. Over six months, NESTA and a panel of experts will whittle the entries down first to the 100 strongest and then the 10 best ideas. Finalists will then be given a year to put their ideas into practice.

How will it be judged?
In the second year of the Challenge, short-listed finalists will have to achieve a measurable reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, involve the whole group or community and prove that their ideas can be expanded or copied in a different area or setting.

Those interested in learning more about the Big Green Challenge and how to take part can visit www.biggreenchallenge.org.uk.

* A representative sample of 1,972 GB adults (aged 18+) was surveyed online by YouGov Plc. between 5th and 8th October 2007.

**Population calculation based on 36% of 47,255,880 GB adults (Source: ONS 'Population Trends, Autumn 2007').

To find out more about applying to the Big Green Challenge by post or phone, groups can write to UnLtd, the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs, which is working with NESTA to help run the Big Green Challenge at: UnLtd, 123 Whitecross Street, Islington, London EC1Y 8JJ, or call them on 0845 850 1122.

NESTA
NESTA is the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, the largest single endowment devoted exclusively to supporting talent, innovation and creativity in the UK. Its mission is to transform the UK's capacity for innovation by investing in early stage companies, informing innovation policy and encouraging a culture that helps innovation to flourish.