Malvern Women's Institute rewarded businesses including Waitrose which have reduced carbon emissions.

As part of the Climate Coalition’s week of action, Women's Institute (WI) members from Poolbrook and West Malvern presented green hearts to local businesses.

Along with MP Harriett Baldwin, they visited several businesses during their walk last Friday.

Julia Goodfellow-Smith, WI climate ambassador in Malvern, said: “The WI is grateful to the government for planning to ratify the Paris Agreement by the end of this year. "This is a global agreement made in Paris last year to limit the extent of global warming.

"It is now up to all of us, with the support of the government, to take action to combat climate change.

"We are grateful to individuals and organizations who have started this process, and are delighted to be able to thank them in this way.“

The green hearts, which were handmade by members, were given to Malvern Theatres, St Richard's Hospice, Waitrose and The Cube.

Malvern Theatres, were given a green heart for switching their lighting to LEDs with financial support from Malvern Hills District Council.

This has led to a significant reduction in energy use and carbon footprint at the theatre.

St Richard's Hospice, who provide the opportunity to buy and sell vintage clothing rather than buying new were also presented a green heart.

A lot of energy and carbon emissions are associated with new clothing, from the growing and production of the fabric, manufacture of dyes and the clothing itself, and distribution across the world.

Buying vintage significantly reduces all of these impacts.

Waitrose got a green heart for buying all of their electricity from renewable sources and also for using any waste food to facilities where it is also used to generate electricity.

The Cube meanwhile, have been generating their own solar power and encouraged local food growing.

These solar panels now generate as much electricity as the centre uses, which means that they are creating very little climate impact with their electricity use.

Most food is transported long distances, and it is often stored in warehouse-sized fridges, which all generates significant carbon emissions.

Growing food on site, The Cube is enabling people to eat food with no food miles.

This ‘Green Heart Gratitude Walk’ is the first of a series planned by Mrs Goodfellow-Smith and her husband Mike.

The next will be from London to Balcombe, a village that has embraced renewable energy, now generating as much solar power as they use.

That walk will be over three days at the weekend.

The following walk will be from Oxford along the River Thames to London to present a green heart to Christiana Figueres, a leading figure in the United Nations, and the person responsible for facilitating the Paris agreement.

For more information, contact Mrs Goodfellow-Smith on 07904 389889 or Mr Goodfellow-Smith on 07966 283280.