A Green Party proposal to let the public put their money into Climate Bonds as a way of raising finance for projects to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions has been a huge success. It has raised nearly a million pounds in just one month.
Climate Bonds are investments that allow Sheffielders to invest directly in renewable energy projects in the city. They are a low-risk financial product, which encourage local people to engage with projects to tackle climate change.
Sheffield Green Councillors first proposed Local Climate Bonds to full council in September 2022. Their motion proposed a Renewable Energy Strategy for Sheffield. Greens repeated this message in November 2022 and again in February 2024, on the fifth anniversary of declaring a climate emergency. The proposal was approved by the Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee in November 2025 and launched last December.
Green Party Councillor Alexi Dimond, Deputy Chair of Transport, Regeneration and Climate Change Committee said.
“Climate Bonds are good for Council finances and the environment. Since the Council launched their first Climate bonds in December, it has hit its target and raised over a million pounds. This is local people choosing to put their savings into something good for the planet.
“Instead of raising money from big financial institutions, climate bonds raise money for Council projects from the community. The Council raises money at a low interest rate and is still able to provide a 4.1% return to local investors. This money will be used to install solar panels on schools, helping reduce their energy bills and leaving more money for school resources and teachers. Schools will get cheaper bills whilst investors will be paid interest and get their investment back – all funded by the free energy produced.”
“The aim will be to raise more money through Climate Bonds to fund projects to benefit the environment, save money and address climate change.”
You can still invest in Sheffield’s Climate bonds by following this link:
https://www.abundanceinvestment.com/invest/sheffield-climate-investment-1
