We expect all projects we fund to think about their energy usage and to aim to reduce or minimise it. 

If energy usage is likely to increase as a result of your project, then we expect you to buy renewable energy and/or to consider creating new energy via renewable technologies. If your energy use is likely to stay the same then you should plan to further reduce it in future and consider buying renewable energy.

Think about:

1. What type and how much energy (electricity, gas, oil, renewables etc) your project is likely to use, what it might cost and how you could save energy and money in future.

Useful links:

• UK Government – guide to energy metering and monitoring
• Ofgem – guide to understanding your gas and electricity bills
• Carbon Trust – Energy Benchmarking Tool
• Historic England – Energy Efficiency and Historic Buildings

2. How much carbon/CO₂ is likely to be emitted as a result of the energy your project will use.

For larger projects you could calculate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and your carbon footprint.

Useful links:

• UK Government – small business user guide: how to measure and report your greenhouse gas emissions
• Carbon Trust – Carbon Footprint Calculator
• Carbon Trust – free carbon calculators

3. What energy-efficiency measures you could plan. How might you measure and monitor them?

Useful links:

• Energy Saving Trust – energy-saving quick wins 
• Carbon Trust – better business guide to energy saving
• Carbon Trust – buildings energy efficiency guide
• Carbon Trust – office energy efficiency guides

4. Whether your project could generate renewable energy and/or purchase renewable energy.

Remember that if The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports the creation of renewable energy it cannot be sold back to the National Grid or others for income.  

Useful links:

• Ofgem – Environmental Programmes
• UK Government – community energy guidance
• Carbon Trust – renewable energy guide

5. Some energy-using equipment such as lighting, heating, cooling, insulation or renewable technologies may be eligible for a tax break and/or funding support.

Useful links:

• Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme for energy-saving technologies (ends April 2020)
• Carbon Trust – guide to financing energy efficiency
• Ofgem – Environmental Programmes and funding initiatives

We expect all projects we fund to make a positive contribution to saving nature in the UK.

Every project should aim to improve nature, for example by:

• including nesting boxes for bat and birds
• creating a wildlife pond
• converting grass areas to meadows
• planting trees
• providing places for people to enjoy nature

Unavoidable loss of nature

In some circumstances, your project may require the loss of nature, for example by removing trees or hedges, paving over grass or planted areas, or installing new lighting.

If that is the case, we need to understand why this action is unavoidable, and we will expect the loss to be compensated for with, for example: new planting either on or off site, a reduction in other areas of hard surfacing or creation of new habitats for wildlife. 

Think about:

1. What impact your project will have on habitats, species and the overall greenness of your site. 

Useful links:

• The National Lottery Heritage Fund – 10 ways to make a difference to the natural world
• State of UK Nature report
• The Wildlife Trusts – in-depth information on habitats
• RSPB – creating a Biodiversity Action Plan

2. Are there any protected or designated sites or species on or near your project? If so you will need to show us you understand why they are important and how they will be protected. 

Some may also be protected by law and it is your responsibility to ensure you comply with any legal requirements. 

Useful links:

• Protected Species of the UK
• Protected Habitats of the UK
• Landscape and nature protected area designations of the UK

3. Whether your project could help to reconnect people to nature. 

Connecting people to nature not only helps communities to value nature more, it also helps to improve people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Useful links:

• Wildlife Trusts – Bringing people closer to nature
• Woodland Trust – Nature Detectives
• Europarc – webinar connecting people & nature 
• Mind – nature and mental health
• The National Lottery Heritage Fund – the social benefits of urban green spaces
• How green spaces can improve our wellbeing

4. Some habitats and species are protected by law – find out if any exist on your project or site area.

• Wildlife Trusts – UK Wildlife Law

5. Is your project aligned with current developments in “valuing” nature and the natural environment? 

• Ecosystems Knowledge Network – helping to understand the real value of nature across the UK

We expect all projects we fund to consider how natural resources such as stone and timber are used. Please avoid using materials that might have damaging impacts on the environment. 

Timber

All timber used in your project must be from a sustainable source certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). We may ask you to provide certification. 

Materials

Stone, brick and materials such as gravels should ideally be recycled or locally sourced, even if costs may be higher.    

Think about:

1. Using only FSC-certified timber.  

• What is FSC-certified timber?

2. The key materials your project will use and where they will come from. This includes plastics, paper, wood, glass, metal, plants and soil improvers.  

You may need skilled staff and/or consultants.

• What we mean by raw materials 
• Building stones and the environment
• Historic England – Materials for historic building repairs

We expect all projects we fund to protect soils and not to use any peat for horticultural or landscape purposes.

Soil is a precious resource that filters our water, provides essential nutrients to our forests and crops, and helps regulate the Earth's temperature as well as many of the important greenhouse gases.

Think about:

1. Will your project involve stripping, removing or relocating soil?

Useful links

• Soil Association – Save Our Soil campaign
• Defra  – managing soil on construction sites

2. Ensuring any plants or trees you buy are grown in compost that does not contain peat. How will you check?

We may ask for proof that all plants, shrubs and trees have been grown on non-peat-based composts. 

• Plantlife – Why we need to keep peat in the ground
• Royal Horticultural Society – Horticulture without peat

We expect all projects we fund to consider how they can reduce the environmental impacts of people travelling to work, volunteer at or visit the project.

Think about:

1. How people will get to your project.

Can you encourage them to use public transport, car share, cycle or walk?

• How to create a green travel plan
• Netregs – reducing vehicle emissions 
• Energy Saving Trust – travel advice for greener journeys

2. Parking.

Who will it be for, and how many spaces? Could you encourage people to car share or use alternative forms of travel?

Think about how the car park will be surfaced. Will water be allowed to drain away naturally rather than via drains? 

•  Netregs – environmental guidance for car parking

3. Whether your project will require purchase of a vehicle. If yes do you know how much CO²e is will emit?

• transport carbon footprint calculator
• UK Government advice on grants for plug-in vehicles
   

4. Ways to reduce transport usage within your organisation.

For example:

• staff car share schemes
• offering incentives not to drive every day
• subsidised public transport
• having a home-based project team using virtual meetings

Useful links:

• Resurgence – carbon footprint calculator 
• Energy Saving Trust – comparing carbon emissions for different forms of transport
• UK Government – cycle to work scheme
• Sustrans – alternative ideas to car use

We expect all projects we fund to consider the amount and types of waste produced both during and after the project. All projects should consider how to reduce and recycle any waste.

Think about:

1. Depending on your project and organisation, waste might come from construction, old electrical and electronic goods, green waste, food, paper, timber, plastics etc. 

Try to calculate how many kilogrammes or tonnes of waste your project might potentially create and how much of that cannot be recycled.

• UK Government – how to classify your waste

2. The cost of getting rid of waste and how much you could save by reducing it. Some types of waste also have value.

• Letsrecycle – recycling material prices

3. What type and how much hazardous waste your project might produce. 

• How to tell if your waste is hazardous

4. How you can reduce your project’s waste.

Consider the five waste hierarchy principles of waste elimination, reduction, reuse, recycling or recovery.

It can also help contribute to the development of a “circular economy” while saving your project and organisation money.

Useful links:

• UK Government – waste hierarchy guidance
• Recycle now – guide to what you can recycle and where
• guide to waste electrical and electronic equipment
• Wrap – waste management in office buildings
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation – designing waste out: what is a circular economy?
• WWF – ten tips to reduce your plastic footprint

We expect all projects we fund to consider how they use water and to aim to reduce or minimise water usage. We also expect projects to consider water recycling, saving and utilising rainwater, and installing sustainable drainage schemes.   

Think about:

1. How much the project will spend on water provision and disposal per annum.

What is the likely volume (in litres) that will be used and returned? 

Useful links:

• UK Government – water and sewerage rates for businesses and organisations
• Ofwat – understanding your non-domestic water bill 
• Netregs – analyse how much water you use 

2.  How you could use water-saving measures. 

Useful links:

• Guide to improving water efficiency
• CIWEM – Domestic Water Efficiency
• Waterwise – save water

3. Whether there any opportunities to reuse water or enhance water quality.

Useful links:

• Environment Agency – grey water reuse
• Netregs – Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) 

4. The risk of water shortages or flooding. How will you overcome these problems? 

Useful links:

• UK Government – flooding and extreme weather advice
• UK Government – drought management for England
• UK Government – check your flood risk 
• UK Government – water supply, wastewater and water quality
• CIWEM – managing drought in the UK 

The Climate Change Act 2008 is the basis for the UK’s approach to tackling and responding to climate change.

In England, the Climate Change Act commits the UK Government by law to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 100% of 1990 levels (net zero) by 2050.

For advice on how the Climate Change Act works, visit the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) website. The CCC ensures that emissions targets are evidence-based and independently assessed. 

Advice – built and cultural heritage

• Historic England advice on the impacts of climate change on built heritage
• Museums & Climate Change Network 
• Arts Council report: How culture is combating climate change 
• Julie’s Bicycle: a London-based charity that supports the creative industry to act on climate change and environmental sustainability
• The Construction Leadership Council UK has set up the Green Construction Board to drive forward environmental sustainability in the UK construction industry.

Advice – landscapes and nature

• Natural England and RSPB Climate Change Adaptation Manual
• The Wildlife Trust response to climate change
• Committee for Climate Change report on land-use policies required to achieve net zero in the UK 
• Environment Agency guidance including flood risk assessment 
• Woodland Trust Emergency Tree Plan 

Toolkits and advice

• Ashden and Friends of the Earth: 31 Actions for Councils to achieve carbon zero 
• Farmers and Growers carbon calculator
• Carbon Trust Carbon Footprint Calculator for small and medium-sized businesses
• Carbon Calculator for individuals and households

Northern Ireland does not currently have any separate climate change legislation. Greenhouse gas emissions from Northern Ireland contribute to the UK total under the Climate Change Act 2008 (net zero by 2050).

Find out more in the Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme 2019–2024 and Civil Society and Local Government Adapts supporting document.

There is more information in the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment 2017 for Northern Ireland and UK Climate Change projections.

Advice – built and cultural heritage

• advice on cutting carbon emissions

Toolkits and advice

• Climate Northern Ireland climate change network and e-newsletter
• Northern Ireland Environment Link
• Committee on Climate Change advice on reducing emissions

Scotland has declared a climate emergency and set world-leading targets to become a net-zero emission country by 2045. The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 sets these targets, with interim targets for reductions of at least 56% by 2020, 75% by 2030, 90% by 2040.

Climate change policy in Scotland responds to both UK and Scottish frameworks. Scotland’s legislation requires a delivery plan for meeting targets to be published at least every five years.

The Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme (SCCAP) addresses the impacts identified for Scotland in the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA). It published Climate Ready Scotland: Second Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme 2019-2024 in September 2019.

Advice – built and cultural heritage

• Historic Environment Scotland: Climate Action Plan 2020–2025
• Historic Environment Scotland: Climate Change Adaptation for Traditional Buildings 
• Built Environment Forum Scotland case studies

Advice – museums and collections

• Museums Galleries Scotland guidance: environmental monitoring and air pollution

Advice – landscapes and nature

• Scottish Natural Heritage guidance: environmental impacts, environmental assessment and Natural Capital Asset Index

Toolkits and advice

• Adaptation Scotland helps the public sector, businesses and communities to understand what climate change means across Scotland
• Sustainable Scotland Network for public sector professionals 
• Resource Efficient Scotland 
• National Performance Framework: Carbon Footprint indicator
• Greener Scotland 

Welsh Government declared a climate emergency on 29 April 2019. In June 2019, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs set a target for Wales to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.   

The Environment Act (Wales) 2016 provides a legal framework to manage Wales’ natural resources.

The Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 aims to improve the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of Wales.

In March 2019, Welsh Government launched A Low Carbon Wales. The plan sets out the Welsh Government’s approach to cut emissions and increase efficiency in a way that maximises wider benefits for Wales.

In November 2019, Welsh Government published: Prosperity for all: A climate-conscious Wales, setting out a five-year climate change adaption plan.
 

Advice – built and cultural heritage

• Historic Environment and Climate Change in Wales Sector Adaptation Plan 
• Yr Amgylchedd Hanesyddol a Newid Hinsawdd: Cynllun Addasu’r Sector
   
• A Strategic Approach for Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change on the Historic Environment 2012

Advice – landscapes and nature

• CADW Flooding and Historic Buildings in Wales
• CADW Llifogydd ac Adeiladau Hanesyddol yng Nghymru 
   
• Natural Resources Wales Guidance and Advice
• Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru Canllawiau a chyngor
   
• Tree species
• Rhywogaethau coed

Toolkits and advice

• Sustain Wales
• Cynnal Cymru