🌍 Reducing Our Carbon Footprint: Building a Greener Future for the Next Generation

🌍 Reducing Our Carbon Footprint: Building a Greener Future for the Next Generation

By Cohesive Society CIC, Northampton

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. From extreme weather events to the rising cost of living linked to energy use, its impact is already felt across the UK. Every household, business, and community must act to reduce carbon emissions and protect our shared environment. At Cohesive Society CIC, we believe that meaningful change begins with awareness, education, and collective community effort—especially among BAME communities, including Northampton’s vibrant Bangladeshi community.

Reducing one’s carbon footprint doesn’t always require grand gestures. Small, consistent actions—such as using energy-efficient LED bulbs, insulating homes, cutting down on car journeys, reducing food waste, and choosing renewable energy—can make a measurable difference. The UK Government has committed to achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050, a target that depends heavily on grassroots initiatives and behavioural changes within local communities.[¹]

Cohesive Society CIC is planning to launch a pilot community project focused on carbon footprint reduction and environmental awareness among BAME residents of Northampton. The project will offer practical training and workshops on:

• Reducing household energy consumption;

• Understanding renewable energy options;

• Making homes greener through insulation and sustainable living habits;

• Encouraging young people to become “Climate Champions” who advocate for a cleaner planet.

We intend to seek funding from OFGEM’s Energy Redress Scheme and other carbon reduction programmes to make this initiative a reality. [²] The scheme provides financial support to community projects that help vulnerable energy consumers and promote environmental sustainability.

By raising awareness and providing education, we hope to inspire long-term behavioural change that passes from parents to children—ensuring future generations inherit a cleaner, more sustainable world. Northampton’s multicultural communities, especially the Bangladeshi diaspora, can play a leading role in this transformation by embracing greener lifestyles that are both culturally sensitive and environmentally responsible.

Together, we can make Northampton a model town for sustainability, equity, and community-led environmental action. 🌱

If you wish to get involved, collaborate, or volunteer, please visit www.cohesivesociety.org. Join us in shaping a greener tomorrow—because protecting the planet starts with us.

References / Bibliography

1. UK Government Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener. GOV.UK, 2021. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/net-zero-strategy

2. OFGEM. Energy Redress Scheme – Supporting Vulnerable Consumers and Reducing Carbon Emissions. OFGEM, 2024. https://energyredress.org.uk

3. Committee on Climate Change. Reducing UK Emissions: 2023 Progress Report to Parliament. London: CCC, 2023.

4. Friends of the Earth. Practical Actions to Cut Carbon at Home. FOE UK, 2022.

5. Energy Saving Trust. Community Energy and Sustainability Resources. https://energysavingtrust.org.uk

6. DEFRA. UK Climate Change Indicators. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 2023.

Footnotes:
[¹] The UK’s legally binding target to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050 under the Climate Change Act (2008) underscores the importance of individual and community-level carbon reduction.
[²] The OFGEM Energy Redress Scheme provides grants for energy-related projects that deliver measurable environmental and social benefits, particularly in deprived or underserved communities.