ECO CITY
SUSTAINABLE CAMBRIDGE
W ith its cycling culture, electric buses, academic expertise and high- tech green industries, Cambridge is better placed than most cities to lead the way in tackling climate change. We might be a bit ‘nature-depleted’ (east Cambridgeshire and Fenland are some of the least-wooded parts of the UK, according to Friends of the Earth), but efforts are being made to turn the city and its surrounds into a greener, more pleasant landscape. Indeed, Cambridge was named the second-greenest city in August 2024 by environmental magazine The Ends Report , thanks in part to the large number of residents who use sustainable travel methods and a proactive city council, aiming to reach net zero on carbon emissions by 2030. “Our initiatives have included using hydro-treated vegetable oil in some of our waste fleet vehicles and generators used at events, removing all single-use plastics at council festivals and at the Corn Exchange, as well as creating a network of up to 600 EV charging points around the city,” says Rosy Moore, executive councillor for climate action and environment at Cambridge City Council. “There’s a Net Zero Retrofit pilot project for council homes and a pot of government funding available for private householders, too.” There have been tree and hedge-planting projects, new wildlife-friendly weed control methods and wetland creation at Logan’s Meadow local nature reserve. There is also a chance to win monthly cash prizes for binning litter in the city by submitting photos via the Litterlotto app. Make do and mend The Grand Arcade is flexing its green credentials this month too, with its Let’s Go Circular programme of talks and workshops (26 October to 3 November). Events include a repair cafe, a family- friendly eco fair, an upcycling, slow- Liz Potter delves into the Grand Arcade’s Let’s Go Circular event taking place this month – and shines a light on other green initiatives across the city
48 OCTOBER 2024 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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