Investing in the environment and the community; Or, putting my money where my mouth is
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Where and how we spend our money is important and says a lot about who we are. I don’t really believe in investing for pure profit.
However, I do believe strongly in investing in Community Benefit Societies. Community wealth is priceless, and if you can put money into that while also making a positive environmental difference then all the better.
Here’s the two major investments I have made (so far!) as part of my environmental policy, and also because I’m a human who wants a liveable climate and a healthy earth.
Greater Manchester Community Renewables
Greater Manchester Community Renewables Limited (GMCR) installs community-owned renewable energy across Greater Manchester. The solar panel arrays they put on schools and community buildings in the region help these vital institutions save money and reduce their carbon footprint
It also puts climate measures front and centre to inspire children and the community to learn about energy and climate change.
So far they have installed solar arrays on eight primary schools, a secondary school in Timperley and a community centre in Partington, achieving:
- Over 2 million kWh of clean electricity generated
- 740 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions avoided
- Saved over £180,000 on bills
- Generated £60,000 for community additional projects
Now they’ve opened their 2025 share offer to fund the installation of another 600 solar panels on three schools and a leisure centre in Greater Manchester.
You can join me and get involved here. The share offer is open until 20th July 2025!
EMERGE 3 Rs
EMERGE 3RS does all sorts of good things. They run…
- Fareshare GM which redistributes ‘waste’ food around Greater Manchester
- Emerge which shreds and recycles confidential waste for businesses, as well as advising on sustainable resource management
- Touch Wood which recycles waste wood and timber
All three arms of the organisation also offer training and skills for young people in the local area, adding even further community benefit.
It’s a great organisation and another that I am proud to bea member of. You can see more here andsign up ahead of their next share offer!
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