This’ll be a welcome helping hand.

A pilot food waste collection scheme on a West Cork island; new bike racks made from recycled wind turbine blades in North Cork; and the installation of solar PV panels on community buildings across the county are among more than 30 projects that have been awarded funding under the Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP).

Cork County Council has announced that 31 community-led climate action projects have been approved for funding totalling €1,000,265.

The CCAP is a new programme developed by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) to address climate change at a local level and aims to support and empower communities to shape and build low-carbon, sustainable communities to contribute to national climate and energy targets.

The successful Cork projects include;

• A community-led upgrade and development of an active travel pathway/cycleway in Macroom.
• The installation of a community biodigester and pilot food waste collection scheme on Oileán Chléire to address food waste.
• Retrofit works to local community buildings, including a community swimming pool in Baltimore and a theatre in Charleville, to improve energy efficiency.
• The installation of solar PV panels on community premises across the county to increase renewable energy generation and reduce energy costs.
• The development of a biodiversity corridor in Glounthaune.
• The provision of enhanced cycling infrastructure (bike racks and seating) to increase active travel facilities in Killeagh and in Mallow.

“Climate change is a significant issue for all our communities, and I would like to commend the successful groups on their work at a local level to deliver climate action,” said Mayor of Cork County, Cllr. Joe Carroll.

Want to know more? Projects approved for funding are available to view at corkcoco.ie.