The National Lottery’s Community Fund Zero Award

Published on: 12 Mar, 2024
Updated on: 12 Mar, 2024

Zero Carbon Guildford (ZCG) has been awarded £350,000 by the National Lottery’s Community Fund.

The news comes as the charity gets ready to open its new premises at 168 High Street.

Olivia Carpenter-Lomax

Olivia Carpenter-Lomax, chair of ZCG said: “Our volunteers have put in a huge amount of work over the last few years so we’re really happy that this has been rewarded with a National Lottery Community Fund grant – and even more so that the timing coincides so well with us opening the new ZERO premises.

“We’re excited to continue supporting the majority of Surrey residents who feel action on climate change is extremely or very important, and through our projects which reduce food waste, test river quality in the Wey, allow borrowing of household items, and provide free in-person energy surveys to help residents cut their energy bills and stay warm we aim to continue to deliver common sense initiatives which benefit the people and places of Surrey.”

The new home for Zero – 168 High Street, near Holy Trinity Church.

ZCG says that over the past four years, over 200 volunteers from Guildford and the surrounding area have spearheaded efforts to build a strong community dedicated to restoring Surrey’s nature, reducing waste and pollution, and tackling climate change.

A poll of over 1,100 people across Surrey showed that 68 per cent of residents think that taking action on the environment and climate change is “extremely important” or “very important”, and ZERO has provided a focal point for these residents to act through common sense solutions.

The ZERO team says that with the backing of the majority of Surrey residents who are looking for ways to act to protect the people and places they care about, the charity was able to build momentum quickly after launching, opening a community-led hub in the former New Look premises on Friary Street.

Zero’s previous home in Friary Street which they vacated last year.

Since opening, ZCG has worked with Water Rangers to train over 200 people to monitor pollution along the rivers Wey and Tillingbourne, and another 65 to deliver free in-person energy surveys to residents across Surrey.

Alongside energy advice and river quality testing, the charity hosts a number of initiatives which support residents on their journey to reducing waste and emissions.

ZCG projects include the ZERO Community Fridge, which has prevented over 32 tonnes of supermarket food going to waste, and the Library of Things which allows residents to borrow items such as tools, gardening equipment and more free of charge, have shown that common sense initiatives led by local communities can make a big difference to how we live and work.