We're just getting started

We’re all at a point in our journey where the need to protect our environment and consider the future of our planet is something that can’t be ignored.

We know that we can’t keep on using up the planet’s resources without consequences, we know for example that waste and rubbish often ends up elsewhere – it’s just that we weren’t aware how much of it, or where it goes, and we now know enough to know that constantly pumping stuff into the atmosphere has a negative effect, even carrying a risk to future life, through Global Warming.

On the one hand it’s of course down to business and industry to make important changes, to effectively “save the Earth”.

The good news is that the Humber region, in a pioneering partnership – called Zero Carbon Humber – aims to build the world’s first ‘Net Zero’ industrial region – find out more at www.zerocarbonhumber.co.uk.

However, there are things we can all do to help create a shift in lifestyle and become more environmentally aware and responsible.

With so much overwhelming information out there, Our Future Starts Here aims to help you understand the climate crisis and provide a basis of information, to help raise awareness of steps that can be taken to transition over time to ‘greener futures’.
However, it’s not all about the planet, it’s seeing everything as a whole, with you included. We need to look after ourselves too – everything is linked!

That’s why our programme is a mix of thought-provoking elements, focusing on People, Place and Planet and supported by partners all committed to achieving greener, healthier, happier futures.

Our Future Starts Here is where we commit ourselves to being more environmentally responsible ourselves. It’s a journey for all of us…

Speaking of journeys – if you’re coming to Our Future Starts Here could we suggest that you:

• Walk, bike or travel by public transport – bus or train
• Avoid buying plastic-bottled drinks
• Recycling waste where possible using recycling facilities in Grimsby Town

With support from Smarter Energy and Without Walls, we have produced an environmental plan for delivery of our projects. Please see a summary of this below.

Our aim is to now make smart decisions that consider the wider repercussions of our daily operations while ensuring the needs of the organisation and events are being met.

• Highlight areas of positive change through the events and experiences supported by The Culture House in order to inspire partners and the general public
• Identify areas for energy efficiency within working practice and from renewable sources, where applicable.
• Minimise waste of food, water and packaging
• Select suppliers with good environmental practise, and encourage improvements as they work with us, by keeping sustainability on the agenda throughout the contract.
• Provide appropriate training to staff and inspire ideas for innovation and greater sustainability.

We’re delighted that Ørsted have chosen to support Our Future Starts Here in its first year, with more to come in November. We see this as an important partnership championing Grimsby, green energy and positive futures within our local communities.

Ørsted is the world’s leading offshore wind company, powering millions of homes and businesses across the UK and beyond with homegrown renewable energy while strengthening energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Since it first came to the region over a decade ago, Ørsted has put Grimsby and the Humber at the very heart of the global transition to green energy – reaching incredible milestones along the way.

Ørsted is currently building the world’s single largest offshore wind farm – Hornsea 3. With a generating capacity of 2.9 GW, Hornsea 3 will deliver green power to more than 3 million UK homes.

Hornsea 3 is Ørsted’s third gigawatt-scale offshore wind farm in the Hornsea zone, following Hornsea 1 (1.2 GW) and Hornsea 2 (1.3 GW), which are already being operated out of Ørsted’s operations and maintenance hub in Grimsby.

Ørsted has a total of 12 operational offshore wind farms in the UK – enough to power almost 6 million UK homes a year with low-cost, clean, and secure renewable energy. All of this has been realised in partnership with the local area and its people – by growing local businesses and training skilled workers for the green economy.

Ørsted has helped revitalise coastal communities across the UK – they have invested £16 billion in the UK building offshore wind farms over the last two decades.

A team of almost 700 people work out of the company’s East Coast Operations Hub in Grimsby and the Humberside Airport, operating and maintaining the offshore wind farms.

Ørsted is passionate about being part of the town and the region, from being the main sponsor of the annual Ørsted Great Grimsby 10k running race, to donating £465,000 per year to local projects through their East Coast Community Benefit Fund, to their biggest donation to date, £1 m to Horizon Youth Zone.

With offshore wind farms operating for more than 25 years, and more large-scale projects in the pipeline, this region has a bright future ahead of it.