Marlborough Climate Pledge (MCP) is a local pledge scheme that encourages households and communities to make a commitment to reducing their carbon emissions.
Around 300 households have signed up to the scheme since it was launched in 2006 and MCP has now set itself the task of securing pledges from 100 further households.
"Pledges might include switching to a green electricity provider, turning down the heating thermostat, installing a water butt in the garden or buying more locally-produced food", explains MCP volunteer Beck Dawson.
"We provide support to every household that makes a pledge, by providing information on our website, running a programme of events and offering loans of energy smart meters."
MCP will run a range of awareness-raising activities throughout the Big Green Challenge Plus year, from film screenings and workshops to its annual Climate Day which takes place in May.
All MCP events are run by volunteers and the team is developing a training scheme to give volunteers the skills and tools needed to promote the scheme and get people signed up to pledges. In spring 2010 volunteers will be manning a 'pledgemobile' that will visit streets throughout the town to provide information about the scheme.
The average household signs up to four pledges and saves 1.2 tonnes of carbon per year. The MCP team measures the impact of the pledge scheme by following up with each household 6-12 months on from their initial pledge.
"The follow-up call is a chance to congratulate the individual or family on the progress they've made and offer advice on how to take the next steps," comments Beck.
As well as encouraging individual households to reduce their carbon emissions, the pledge scheme helps to foster strong community spirit. "Our events are a great opportunity for people from different parts of the community to come together and share their ideas and experiences," says Beck.
"A number of spin-off groups and projects have formed as a result of conversations that people have had at our events. A small group of members has decided to collaborate on a school woodland project, while a larger group of around 25 members has set up a community allotment."
MCP is also extending its work with the community by exploring the potential for improving energy efficiency in local buildings, including the primary school, leisure centre and town hall.
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