Environment

Big Society Capital is to invest £1 million in PURE, the Clean Planet Trust, which will enable it to fund up to 70 community energy projects in deprived communities in the UK.

PURE’s Community Energy Fund combines both social and private investment: Big Society Capital’s investment will be boosted by donations from companies such as Barclays and British Airways.

As part of the Greener Journeys initiative, three grants of £5,000 are up for grabs for Greater Manchester-based community organisations, clubs and charities to promote bus travel to their members or supporters. Working alongside local bus company Stagecoach and other major bus operators, Greener Journeys hopes to find local groups with the influence and credibility to encourage people in their communities to leave their cars behind and try the bus instead.