Metrocentre and Climate Action North partnership wins international environmental award
A partnership between Metrocentre and environmental social enterprise Climate Action North has won an International Green Apple Environment Award 2026 for its work to support wildlife and involve local people in environmental action.
The organisations have been working together since January 2025 to find ways to make more room for nature across the Metrocentre site, while giving local people and schools opportunities to learn and get involved.
A survey identified suitable locations for bird boxes, and 10 Swift nesting bricks have been installed across the site. They provide safe nesting spaces for Swifts, whose numbers have declined as traditional nesting spaces in buildings have become harder to find.
The work forms part of a wider community Rewilding Action Plan for Metrocentre, developed by Climate Action North. It sets out practical ways to improve the site for wildlife, including opportunities for wildflower meadows, native planting, trees and enhanced scrubland through Climate Action North’s Pollinator Parks® initiative.
Climate Action North CEO Sharon Lashley said: “We’re delighted to see the partnership recognised with an International Green Apple Environment Award. Metrocentre is a huge part of everyday life for people in the region, so working together gives us a chance to bring nature and environmental education to a much wider audience.
“It’s been particularly encouraging to see people get involved from schoolchildren learning about our oceans to visitors discovering more about community rewilding and local wildlife.”
Two local schools took part in Climate Action North’s Ocean Wilders programme, with children learning why the oceans matter and how they could share what they had learned with others. Each child received an individual achievement certificate.
Community Rewilding Roadshows at the Metrocentre Community Hub brought wildlife, marine and land-based conservation organisations together, with more than 150 people attending. Visitors learned about rewilding, volunteering opportunities and the North East Rewilding Network.
Sarah Dover, Operations Manager at Metrocentre, said: “We’re really pleased to see our partnership with Climate Action North recognised with this award. We wanted to find practical ways to support wildlife around Metrocentre, while giving our visitors and local schools the chance to learn more and get involved.
“The response has shown us how much interest there is in nature and community rewilding, and we’re looking forward to building on the work we’ve started.”
The award will be presented at the House of Lords, Houses of Parliament, Palace of Westminster in London on 23 November 2026.
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To find out more about working with Climate Action North, email info@climateactionnorth.org.uk
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