UK project prioritises community ownership and sustainable design
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A new restoration project in Britain aims to return land to local communities after achieving biodiversity gains and financial returns for investors.
The project secured a £4.5 million loan from Triodos Bank to purchase the site and will transfer ownership to a community or charity once the loan is repaid.
In London, builders completed a high-rise building using unreinforced volcanic stone instead of steel and concrete, reducing the carbon footprint of construction, which typically accounts for 16% of global carbon emissions. Elsewhere, a solar-powered ambulance called Stella Juva successfully completed its first journey, enabling it to deliver medical supplies across difficult terrain and operate independently using solar energy.
In New Zealand, psychiatrists can now legally prescribe a new drug for post-traumatic stress disorder after positive trial results, offering an alternative to antidepressants that often take months to show results. Financial support is also helping individuals escape abusive relationships. FreeForm has given over $10 million to survivors in the last decade, and research shows these direct cash gifts improve housing, employment, healthcare, and safety.
Studies also suggest that providing financial assistance during a child’s early years can positively impact their long-term health by altering biological ageing markers. Finally, the Batang Nilo Women’s Forest Farmer Group in the Philippines protects both their crops and elephants by planting citrus trees and providing the animals with food sources.
