New project types
Coming Soon: New ICaN Project Types
Biodiversity gain projects in our local green spaces are vital for tackling the climate and nature emergency—but they’re just the beginning. ICaN is expanding its impact with new projects designed to address urgent environmental challenges. Here’s what’s next:
Street Trees
Urban communities often have the least green space and tree cover—yet face the highest summer temperatures and poorest air quality. Planting trees here cools streets, cleans the air, and improves health.
The challenge: Retrofitting trees in dense urban areas requires specialist engineering and higher costs. ICaN projects will target these neighbourhoods, delivering maximum social and environmental benefit where it’s needed most.
Stormy Waters
Climate change is driving heavier rainfall, overwhelming aging sewer systems and polluting rivers. ICaN’s solution: capture rainwater before it enters the sewers.
How it works: Installing water butts or tanks with slow-release taps on downpipes reduces overflow and protects freshwater habitats. Priority areas are those most affected by sewage discharges.
Caring for Woodlands
Ancient woodlands cover just 2.5% of UK land—yet they support a quarter of England’s priority species. ICaN will help communities create and deliver long-term management plans and provide resources to protect these irreplaceable habitats for the next 15 years.
Goal: Safeguard biodiversity and connect fragmented woodland networks for future generations.
Decarbonising Schools
Many schools still rely on outdated gas or oil boilers—costly to maintain and heavy carbon emitters. ICaN aims to accelerate the switch to Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs), cutting emissions, providing warm and welcoming spaces, improving reliability and efficiency.
How it works: Each project will fund the cost difference between replacing an old boiler and installing an ASHP system. Together, we can make South Gloucestershire’s schools cleaner and greener.
Together, these projects tackle climate change, protect nature, and create healthier communities.
Watch this space—your support can make them happen.