A QUARTER of a million pounds in funding is set to be used to help reduce carbon emissions across the district.

Councillors agreed last night to invest the money into its "Destination Zero Fund" which aims to support and aid in carrying out environmental work across the area.

At an executive committee meeting on October 19, councillors agreed to approve the funding.

The plan aims to make the council carbon-neutral as fast as possible, and the money will be used for a number of projects.

These are:

£100,000 for Destination Zero crowdfunding for community projects.

£75,000 for extra resources to help with biodiversity and habitat improvements.

£15,000 for biodiversity projects and matching with external funding.

£25,000 for wildflower verge management.

£35,000 to encourage low carbon travel, especially cycling and walking.

Cllr Sarah Rouse, Leader of Malvern Hills District Council, said: "This is a great step in helping us to achieve our goal of making the Malvern Hills District carbon-neutral by 2050.

"However, we cannot achieve this alone, through this funding we can enable communities and all those who make an impact to come together.

"We have already put aside a million pounds to drive economic growth and support our communities post-Covid.

"This budget allows us to begin to deliver on our promise lead the district in becoming carbon neutral.

"To do that we must support community groups and residents to make the changes themselves.

"So we have set up a new Crowdfunding budget to do this.

"We will invest in a biodiversity officer to support changes to our own land but also to support Parish Councils and residents.

"We all want a strong sustainable economy,vibrant communities and to protect our precious environment.

"We are committed to doing this."

Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/about-your-council/tackling-climate-change to read more about the Destination Zero report.