Groundwork South and North Tyneside is part of a federation of Groundwork Trusts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It has worked in the heart of communities in South Tyneside since 1991 and expanded into North Tyneside in 2018, where it delivers bespoke sustainable projects.
Here, Andrew Watts, CEO of Groundwork South and North Tyneside, speaks about the charity’s landmark 30th anniversary and how it has built its foundation and values upon the importance of sustainability since its origins. With the countdown to NetZero set for 2050, Andrew believes it is no coincidence the charity’s 60th anniversary falls just months later and he has no doubt those celebrations will embrace how the charity played a leading role in the North East tackling its responsibility to achieving NetZero 2050.
Celebrating our 30th anniversary is an amazing achievement as it means three decades of helping to support those within the South Tyneside and, since 2018, North Tyneside communities, in order to achieve a sustainable future for both. We are proud to be champions of sustainability and it is fitting that on such a significant anniversary, I am putting out a rallying cry to businesses and organisations in the North East, to help make the region better for all within it, by embracing their role in achieving Net Zero. We have long known the effects of climate change and environmental damage impacts first and worst on those who hold the least power in society and who contribute least to pollution. These individuals tend to consume less because they have less, if any, disposable income. Tyneside has pockets of poverty and social deprivation and many struggle to put food on the table for their children. The transition to net-zero carbon emissions must tackle, rather than entrench, this inequality and provide a springboard for better work and healthier, happier lives in the places that need it most.
As a charity, we have delivered a wide range of sustainable projects over the last 30 years, the latest of which will be in South Tyneside through the Natural Neighbourhoods scheme, the Government’s £80 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund from which the Groundwork Federation received over £2.2m and from this we will receive over £120,000. The grant will be used to improve four local areas, Monkton Community Woodland, Tilesheds in Cleadon, West Boldon Lodge and Green Man Plantation, with the help of 80 volunteers and the creation of 15 jobs.
At the same time, we are working tirelessly to develop a robust strategy to address our operational emissions. This includes looking at energy efficiency improvements to buildings such as improving or replacing existing services to improve the energy efficiency of current infrastructure systems, i.e. heating, lighting, air handling etc. We will also be introducing more efficient systems and/or renewable energy, reducing transport emissions through upgrading vehicles and behavioural change, achieving carbon savings relating to the minimisation and disposal of waste and how we can offset emissions.
Society’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic must have environmental and social commitments at its core. This means the creation of high-quality green jobs and the promotion of the circular economy. We need to see investment in energy efficiency and renewables, the provision of high-quality green space that is accessible to all, improvements to air quality, creation and improvement of habitats for wildlife and other green infrastructure to improve the natural environment.
Businesses must also keep in mind they are dependent upon healthy, functioning societies throughout their supply chain, in order to remain profitable in the long-term. They need to seek to identify all social impacts and risks for the entire business and develop strategies that help address them.
We have seen how quickly businesses and society adapted to support each other through the uncertainty of the pandemic and, with the help of innovative technology, I have no doubt that the North East can continue to create a sustainable and better future for all within it.
