PONTROBERT Community Centre near Llanfair Caereinion, is taking part in the Welsh Assembly Government’s Climate Change Challenge 2010.
The community centre will compete against two other community centres in Monmouth and Pembrokeshire over the next year to find innovative and fun ways to cut their carbon footprint.
The challenge aims to demonstrate that individuals and communities can have a positive impact on reducing Wales’ carbon footprint through their everyday actions.
Environment Minister Jane Davidson met representatives from the Pontrobert Community Centre at the Bloomfield Community Centre in Monmouth and said: “Community centres are at the heart of local areas and can draw in people from across generations. The challenge will be a great way of getting everyone from small children and teenagers to adults and older people, working together to learn about how easy it can be to reduce the amount of energy we use.
“The challenge aims to get the whole community involved and hopefully take the energy-saving tips back to their own homes.”
During the Minister’s visit, the centre showcased a range of its activities with local community members learning tennis, gardening and making recycled jewellery from scrap materials.
This year’s Climate Change Challenge follows the success of last year’s efforts between three Welsh pubs.
Last year’s winner, The Grove Hotel in Pembrokeshire saved more than 725,000 litres of water and £800 on its water bill, as well as cutting its energy bills and making the hotel as environmentally friendly as possible.
John Rose, secretary at the Pontrobert Community Centre, said: “We are very excited to be part of the challenge and are looking forward to working with the community to reduce energy and water bills. But we are also looking forward to encouraging the community to help save them save on their energy bills.”
The Climate Change Challenge is supported by the Carbon Trust and Dwr Cymru Welsh Water who will advise on and monitor energy and water use throughout the challenge.
The Energy Saving Trust will be supporting the challenge by offering tips to community members on how to be more energy, water and waste efficient in the home.
The challenge will run until July 2011 when a judging panel of experts will pick an overall winner based on their engagement of the community, carbon footprint reduction and long-term commitment to more sustainable living.