Low Carbon Lake District projects and funding

Home Protect Climate action Low-carbon Lake District Low Carbon Lake District projects and funding

Low Carbon Lake District supported by the European Structural Investment Fund

The Low Carbon Lake District initiative was a comprehensive programme to help tackle climate change in the National Park, working in partnership with local businesses and communities to reduce greenhouse gases and prepare for the impacts of climate change.

The project received £4,216,868 funding from the England European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014- 2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Work and Pensions (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) were the Managing Authorities for European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund funding through the Growth Programme, funds established by the European Union to help local areas stimulate their economic development. By investing in projects the funds helped to support innovation, businesses, skills and employment to improve local growth and create jobs.

Alongside over €1.5 billion of European Regional Development Fund support for businesses and communities across the North, the government awarded £3.4 billion in three rounds of Growth Deals across the Northern Powerhouse. The European Social Fund supported the Keswick to Threlkeld Multi User Trail, a lake source heat pump and energy efficiency enhancements to the White House at Brockhole, a solar powered (with battery backup) electric vehicle charging system and a demonstration of electric autonomous vehicles, also at Brockhole.

Low Carbon Lake District II Programme

The Low Carbon Lake District II Programme built upon the successful Low Carbon Lake District I programme. Led by the Lake District National Park Authority, other key partners included the Lake District Foundation, the National Trust, South Lakeland District Council and Cumbria Tourism.

The Lake District National Park Authority and a range of partners collectively looked at innovative ways to help local businesses, residents and visitors lower their carbon footprints. The Low Carbon Lake District initiative was funded by the European Structural Investment Fund and European Regional Development Fund. The second round of ESIF and ERDF funded projects as part of Low Carbon Lake District II, ran from October 2019 until March 2023. These projects aimed to support a ‘whole place’ Electric vehicle charging destination, community and business transition to low carbon, technological innovation and low carbon travel. Placing the Lake District at the forefront of action on climate change.

The projects include:

A Low Carbon Lake District Green Grants Scheme to help small businesses and community organisations cut carbon, administered by Lake District Foundation, for more information visit Low Carbon Lake District Grants (Lake District Foundation).
Electric car charging points being installed at various National Trust and National Park locations throughout the Lake District. See Lake District National Park Authority and National Trust electric vehicle charging points.
Low Carbon technology installed at Ferry Nab car park on the shore of Windermere by South Lakeland District Council. Learn more about the newly named Westmorland and Furness Council reducing carbon emissions.
Planning for new and improved walking and cycle routes at Derwentwater in Keswick and the West Windermere Way.
A new hired electric fleet of cars and installation of charging infrastructure for Lake District National Park operations.
A number of new green technologies at the National Park Visitor Centre, Brockhole.

Low carbon Lake District funders

European Structural and Investment Funds logo

Northern Powerhouse HM Government logo

Low Carbon Lake District projects and funding

Low Carbon Lake District supported by the European Structural Investment Fund

Low Carbon Lake District II Programme

Low carbon Lake District funders

Related content