Auckland Council’s Planning, Environment and Parks Committee has approved $225,000 in funding to community groups to support climate action as part of the Auckland Climate Grant.
Councillor Richard Hills, Chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee says that this grant is just one of the ways the council is demonstrating a continued commitment to climate action.
“These grants aim to empower communities and organisations that demonstrate innovative and impactful solutions to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change. It’s about supporting community-led initiatives that make a positive difference for the environment,” says Cr Hills.
Councillor Angela Dalton, Deputy Chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee acknowledges the importance of supporting community-based projects through these grants particularly those that have a foundation in Te Ao Māori philosophy.
“Amongst other priority areas, the Auckland Climate Grant aims to support Māori responses to climate change and improve Māori wellbeing, as part of Auckland Council’s commitments through Kia ora Tāmaki Makaurau. This is achieved by supporting Māori-led projects as well as ones delivering positive outcomes for Māori,” says Cr Dalton.
About the Auckland Climate Grant
The Auckland Climate Grant is a targeted grant programme to support community-based climate action. The grant provides funding support for projects that:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions through community-based action
- Build community resilience to climate impacts
- Support Māori-led responses to climate change.
The grant was established in 2021 with budget allocated to a climate grant programme through the 10-year Recovery Budget 2021-2031. The grant is designed to support delivery of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan.
“Projects supported through the Auckland Climate Grant may address a wide range if the priorities included in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri. For the 2023/2024 allocation, the priority focus areas were transport, food, energy and Māori-led projects,” says Rachel Kelleher, Auckland Council General Manager, Environmental Services.
“It was great to see such a high calibre of applicants and based on the information provided, these projects will collectively reach 18,650 Aucklanders and support carbon emissions saved of 288.1 tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent.”
Auckland Climate Grant 2023/2024 recipients
|
Applicant |
Project title |
Funding recommendation |
|
Augustine Kopa – under the umbrella of Community Waitakere |
Mātauranga Māra |
$31,000 |
|
Te Waipuna Puawai |
Te Whenua Mauri Ora Maara |
$40,000 |
|
Bike Auckland |
Community Activation Boost |
$35,000 |
|
For The Love of Bees |
Year one Auckland Communities of Regenerative Learning CoRL network |
$16,000 |
|
Environment Hubs Aotearoa |
EcoFest 2024 |
$25,000 |
|
Youth Climate Collective Limited |
The Climate Action Conference 2024 |
$28,000 |
|
Climate Club |
An introduction to high-impact collective action during a climate crisis |
$20,000 |
|
Workride Limited |
Workride Auckland Launch: Ride-to-Work tax benefit |
$30,000 |
|
Total |
|
$225,000 |
How can I apply for the Auckland Climate Grant?
The next funding round for response grants opens on 1 March 2024. More information, including key dates, applications support, such as workshops and drop-in sessions can be found on the Live Lightly website: livelightly.nz/auckland-climate-grant
