Eleven community projects that seek to protect the future of the planet have been awarded funding by Uttlesford District Council.
The chosen projects all seek to reduce carbon emissions, enhance biodiversity or support community engagement in climate change.
As part of its climate change action, the council has made £300,000 available over two years to fund community projects across the district.
The Zero Carbon Communities Grant Fund was open to community groups and parish and town councils, with grants of up to £35,000 available.
Felsted Parish Council was awarded £1,200 to carry out a biodiversity survey of parish council grassed area.
Quendon and Rickling Parish Council received £5,425 for pond clearance work, while Radwinter Recreation Ground Charity was given £7,500 to install solar panels on the community pavilion.
Meanwhile Saffron Walden Community Energy Ltd was awarded £34,000 towards the next phase of the Littlebury Energy Project decarbonisation plan.
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Sustainable Stansted received £2,000 to support a community engagement project focussed on domestic energy consumption and carbon emission reduction.
Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council received £34,900 for replacement sodium-powered streetlights
Stebbing Parish Council was given £2,200 for the creation of a community nature area at Mill Lane playing field, while Stebbing Tennis Club received £14,750 for new low-energy LED lighting units.
Finally Wimbish Parish Council was given £5,000 for the restoration and creation of wildflower meadows.
Other grants were awarded in Birchanger Wood and Wicken Bonhunt.
Cllr Louise Pepper, portfolio holder for environment and green issues, said: "I’m pleased we have been able to provide funding for these projects.
"We received applications from a good range of initiatives which highlights the commitment of our communities in wanting to make a positive environmental impact in their neighbourhoods.
"The council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and is working to reduce its own carbon footprint whilst also encouraging and enabling communities to do so too.
"This grants scheme is one way that can help us to reach our goal."
In total, £125,000 in grants have been allocated in the first year of the scheme. Any surplus funding will roll forward into year two, and an application process will open later this year.
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