Two businesses have thrown their weight behind North Tyneside Council’s Action on Climate Change campaign.
 
North Tyneside Council launched its Action on Climate Change campaign to help residents and businesses to make small changes which collectively can make a big difference to the overall carbon footprint of the borough.
 
Ride Electric, a Tynemouth-based supplier of e-bikes and e-cargo bikes, has been helping individuals, families and businesses to adopt e-bikes as their favourite mode of transport for leisure, commuting and work since 2017.
 
They were recently recognised for the difference they’re making – scooping the Action on Climate Change Award at the recent North Tyneside Business Awards.
 
And now, they’ll be one of the businesses featured on an outdoor advertising campaign across the borough – committing to making even more climate-benefitting changes at work and at home and encouraging others to make their own pledge.
 
Ride Electric manager Mark McEwan said: “We recognise the climate emergency as the number one priority for all of us.
 
“We believe that e-bikes can be a massive force for change in cutting carbon emissions and we understand the many different priorities that people have. Through our work we hope to demonstrate to people that riding an e-bike can be an alternative to driving a car and most journeys can be completed without needing to turn on an ignition.
 
“We are proud to have our roots here in North Tyneside and we love being part of the local community.

“We believe North Tyneside Council has already launched some great initiatives to encourage cutting carbon emissions within the borough, such as the introduction of cycle lanes in various locations, and we appreciate the opportunity to be involved in the Action on Climate Change campaign which thinks about all of our futures and helps us to promote e-bike riding as a positive lifestyle choice.”
 
Further along the coast, in Monkseaton, vegan kitchen and coffee house Square Roots is backing the campaign – with owners Jo and Matt keen to promote their plant-based alternatives and the benefits of this lifestyle. 
 
They said: “We are passionate about climate change - we are aware of how important it is – and it should be at the top of everyone’s agenda.
 
“We know that there is strong evidence to prove that animal agriculture is a leading contributor to climate change. Reduce this and this will surely help with the damage that is being caused.
 
“We are always looking at new ways to lower our carbon footprint – both at home and work. We recycle, only use heating and electricity when we need it, take our plastic back to supermarket recycling facilities and have little to no food waste as we only buy what we need.
 
“If we can help to spread the word about changes in lifestyles that are beneficial to helping the environment, then this campaign is a great opportunity to do so.”
 
Starting this week, advertising featuring the businesses will appear at sites across the borough.
 
Cllr Sandra Graham, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “As a council, we are doing everything we can to be carbon net-zero by 2030.
 
“While we, of course, recognise the significant role we can play in the borough in helping to limit climate change, we can’t do this alone.
 
“We only directly control two per cent of the borough’s carbon emissions, so we absolutely need help from all our residents, businesses, and voluntary and community sector. This is why this awareness-raising campaign is so important.
 
“I am delighted that two of our businesses are at the forefront of tackling climate change and are supporting the campaign, and I must thank Ride Electric and Square Roots for their pledges.”
 
There are a range of materials available on the North Tyneside Council’s website for businesses, helping to show their support for tackling climate change – including posters and window stickers. There are also tips on action they can take and support that’s available to help lower their carbon footprint.
 
In 2021, North Tyneside Council announced its ambition to work towards being carbon net-zero by 2030. Through a range of activities, it has already achieved impressive results, with its own carbon footprint reduced by 53 per cent and that of the borough’s by 47 per cent in recent years.
 
Find out more at my.northtyneside.gov.uk.

North Tyneside Council is just one of hundreds of organisations helping the North East reach its net zero targets and make a difference on a global scale. 

If you’ve a story to share or would like to find out more how you can start your decarbonisation journey, please email [email protected].