Low Carbon Challenge on again

Applications have opened for this year’s Wellington Low Carbon Challenge to help find innovative ways of reducing the area’s carbon footprint.

Launched on August 1, the fourth annual round in the challenge will support six successful teams to develop their low carbon project or business.It also marks the launch of the Wellington Low Carbon Partnership Fund.

This city-wide open fund supports projects entering the challenge by providing dollar for dollar funding to crowdfunding campaigns to amplify the work of local communities.

Led by the Wellington City Council and supported by BNZ, Powershop and the Greater Wellington Regional Council, the fund’s partners each directly match-fund the teams and campaigns aligning with their strategies.

For three years a growing number of organisations and partners in Wellington have been helping innovative low carbon solutions to raise funding, build momentum and grow under the programme.

Any organisation in the city can commit funding and help to support the growing movement of people tackling climate change by building Wellington’s low carbon future.

The challenge is delivered in partnership with a team from the Enspiral collaborative network and supported by crowdfunding platform PledgeMe.

Transport, energy, waste, and housing and building are the four key areas where the programme can have a real impact on Wellington’s carbon emissions.

Previously successful projects continuing to thrive include electric car share Mevo, electric cycle hire Switched on Bikes and closed loop waste minimisation business Misprint.

Applications from start-ups, community projects, new ideas and existing businesses close on August 15 and the successful teams are selected on August 22.

Visit lowcarbonchallenge.nz or contact silvia@enspiral.com for more.