Green Gown Awards 2021: Build Back Better - Cardiff Metropolitan University - Winner

Down to zero: Cynon Taff Community Housing Decarbonisation Project

Three interdisciplinary academics from Cardiff Metropolitan University have teamed up with Cynon Taff Community Housing Group (a medium sized housing association) to embark on a long-term project with the ultimate goal of developing a land-based draw down and capture of CO2 alongside community supported agroforestry and growing projects to produce local food and reduce food miles. 

The initial stages have included the creation of a working group, identification of milestones and stages for the project and a research led analysis of the costs, risks, and benefits of each element. This marks the first stage of a long term, ground-breaking project which seeks to reduce the carbon footprint of Cynon Taff Housing Association down to or below zero within the next five to ten years and then in perpetuity. It is aligned with the both the Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 and marks the initial step towards a more sustainable future.

Top 3 learnings:

• Meaningful, long terms solutions can take time.
• We believe that an integrated systems approach is more sustainable than standalone projects.
• Time spent in the preparation and planning stage reduces potential pitfalls and mistakes later.