A directory of 'green' businesses and initiatives in Rutland is being launched by a local climate group.

Rutland Climate Action (RCA) relaunched in November, and has since been a hive of activity for local volunteers who are passionate about the environment.

The climate organisation is a group of volunteers who are working together to combat climate change and its effects in Rutland. They are looking for new members who can help with local projects, such as raising awareness, fundraising, and tree planting. No experience or skills are required, just passion and commitment. 

Now, the team are launching a helpful list to support local businesses and groups who wish to become more green, and to highlight green businesses to local shoppers hoping to support their work.

A spokesperson for the group said: "There are now many people in Rutland trying to change the way we live, work and shop so that we can reduce carbon emissions and have a less harmful and a more positive effect on the environment.

"As such, Rutland Climate Action are compiling a list to help local businesses, clubs, communities, schools, and residents on that journey."

A local group are working to protect Rutland's climate, green spaces and more. Image credit: Nub News.

The groups and businesses listed are all going the extra mile to have a positive impact by:

• Reducing waste - upcycling, repurposing, repairing, redistributing, and recycling
• Moving away from single-use plastic, or more mindfully sourcing raw materials and packaging
• Conserving energy and/or using renewable energy sources
• Reducing transport miles by sourcing locally
• Considering the social and environmental impact of everything they do
• Tree planting

If you are or know of a business or community group who you think should be included in the directory, please let RCA know. If they do not currently meet our criteria, then we will try to offer suggestions and support them in their efforts to become ‘greener’.

The Rutland Green Directory will be published on the RCA website and maintained by volunteers.

Please contact [email protected] to find out more and list your business.

The group have also shared that there are still places on the Carbon Literacy Training session coming up in January.

These sessions are run by Change Agents UK, the Oakham based sustainability education charity and not-for-profit organisation, who are kindly offering 5 free places on their Carbon Literacy training session January 2024 to any Climate Action or community volunteers in Rutland who would like to become certified as Carbon Literate.

Local schools are being encouraged to plant trees. Image credit: Rutland County Council.

The team concluded: "We'd like to invite you to join our Facebook Group: We want to inform, collaborate, and hear from you about Climate Action in Rutland. Please ask you friends, family, and colleagues to join.

"For now, happy Christmas to our followers and Rutland residents, and we hope to hear from you in the New Year!"