Zero Carbon Cumbria - Carbon reduction action across the county.

Cumbria Sustainability Network

Groups in Cumberland, Groups in North

Sustainable Carlisle

The group was set up after the Copenhagen COP in 2009 when a number Carlisle residents attended the event and were inspired to take action back home. The group formed to tackle the question of how a community could effectively be helped to transition to a more sustainable, climate friendly way of life.

Activism sits at the heart of the group. Its aim is to raise awareness of sustainability issues so that people feel empowered to make change, learn new skills, fight for their rights to be heard and question policy. The most significant success of the group has been to persuade Carlisle Council to declare a climate emergency and sign up to the pledges that accompany that declaration.

The group aims to network with other organisations and run projects alongside them, to raise awareness and bring in lots of different skillsets. Examples of this include teaming up with Carlisle Refugee Action Group to run tree planting and salvage projects, working with Cycle Carlisle to highlight issues around cycle lane provision, and getting involved at Solfest to run workshops and talks for festival-goers.

The group has a number of exciting future ventures in the pipeline, including a two-year project with Tullie House on global heating and biodiversity. If you live in the Carlisle area and want to get involved with an active and diverse organisation that works to make a real difference on climate change, this is the group for you!

Regular Meet Ups

The group runs a ‘free stall’ at Carlisle Farmers’ Market on the first Saturday of every month, where people can give away and get all sorts of useful goods, and talk to the group about recycling and reuse. The group also hold a conversation café on the third Saturday of the month that often runs in conjunction with a slow bike ride. Other activities throughout the year include tree planting, which is held from October/November through to March, working in partnership with the Environment Agency and local farmers.

Contact Details

Connect The group is always looking for more volunteers to get involved in its events, and who might be willing to take on mini projects of their own or become involved in supporting the group’s administration. Contact the group through its website, www.sustainablecarlisle.org, where you can also sign up to its newsletter. You can also follow on Facebook or email on info@sustainablecarlisle.org.