Since 2011, the Youth Hostel Association have saved an amount of CO2 equivalent to a fully laden jumbo jet flying around the globe. Check out their Green Spirit Plan 2 for details of how they did it and plans for going green up to 2017.

Through the ‘Our Bright Future’ programme, Field Studies Council is helping to create the next generation of environmental leaders. More than 30 organisations are using £33 million from the Big Lottery Fund to help thousands of young people bring about a brighter future. More here.

The National Trust is further reducing its dependence on fossil fuels with the installation of two pellet biomass boiler systems at Barrington Court. The property was previously one of the biggest oil users in the South West region using 34,000 litres of oil every year.  More here

There were celebrations beneath The Kelpies earlier in March, as Scottish Canals were presented with an award recognising their public commitment to the global WWF Earth Hour movement.  The landmark’s lights were turned off, helping to put a spotlight on the issues facing the planet. More here

Two new community hydro projects have launched in Wales with almost a £100k of shares sold  in only 5 days! Practitioners from the National Trust have been supporting the projects as volunteers, sharing their expertise. Watch the videos and find out how to own part of a hydro

The Suffolk Climate Change Partnership have supported around 1,500 businesses to improve the energy efficiency of their operations, saving them over £1.6mn and 8,300 tonnes of CO2 annually through their Environmental Business Advisor services. Check out their full report

An LED lighting upgrade made by the Canal and River Trust will save 12 tonnes CO2 and more than £6,000 per year at West India Quay footbridge, Docklands. Installing LED at the Anderton Boat Lift & Standedge Tunnel has also saved 50 tonnes of CO2 per year meant a £15,000 annual saving.

Adnams brewery have installed the first electric-car charging point in Southwold at their Swan Hotel on the Suffolk Coast, free for guests and visitors to use. See more

New research proves refurbished older homes can be seriously low-energy. The family in the best performing of the  ‘SuperHomes’ included in the research live comfortably using 86% less energy than the average UK home! Full report here.

And finally…

We’re loving a small, but highly practical project created by a volunteer from a Bath based community group. The Try-before-you-buy kit for LED lightbulbs can be hired out from the local library, complete with guidance info and specs, so local residents can confidently switch and make savings. More on the project here