Looking to reduce carbon emissions within your community?
Meridian are taking their role in helping Aotearoa reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 seriously. They want to accelerate decarbonisation across the nation and to help others do the same. Meridian Energy were thrilled to introduce the Community Decarbonisation Fund – specifically designed to take the net proceeds from their Certified Renewable Energy product and reinvest them into community group decarbonisation projects across the country.
Meridian Energy realise that prioritising decarbonisation is hard for community groups. But they also know that sustainability is a focus for more and more organisations every day. Whether it’s by helping upgrade your community cars to electric vehicles or installing solar panels to generate renewable energy, Meridian wants to help you achieve a brighter and more sustainable future.
Is my project eligible?
To be eligible for funding, a decarbonisation community-based project will need to:
- be an electrification project (converting something to the use of electricity – such as an EV or converting a diesel boiler to electricity) or create new renewable generation (such as solar panels), or result in a reduction of greenhouse emissions; and
- be a project that either wouldn’t have happened or will happen sooner because of this funding;and
- contribute directly to communities in Aotearoa.
The fund is open to any community groups that fit this criteria. Currently, schools, councils or government entities are not eligible.
Key selection criteria includes:
- reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the community and for wider Aotearoa.
- creates benefits that do not currently exist
- delivering long-term solutions to issues (environmental, social, etc.)
- demonstrating the ability to make effective use of the funds
- having strong performance measures and robust governance structures in place that focus on outcomes
- using the Community Decarbonisation Fund to attract additional funding for projects that will have an even greater positive impact
- establishing a sustainable legacy for the project beyond the support of the Community Decarbonisation Fund
- provide opportunities to promote and demonstrate what the Community Decarbonisation Fund can achieve.
Some tips on what you’ll need to apply:
- EV projects: details (including a quote) of the vehicle intending to purchase, details of the vehicle replaced, estimate of usage (km’s travelled per week/month/year).
- Electrification projects: confirmation of fuel displaced (natural gas, diesel), type of device installed (make, model and specs), details of usage (what it used for and how often e.g. hours per week/month/year).
- Solar projects: install price (quote), technical documents providing the location, capacity and energy output.
- If you have more than one project you would like funded (e.g. solar panels and an EV), submit one application per project.
Register your interest for the next funding round
Are you a community group committed to reducing carbon emissions and making a positive impact?
Click here to register your interest
