The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) near Machynlleth is seeing huge increases in the number of tourists visiting to learn about sustainable living.

Visitor numbers have seen risen by 35% compared to the previous year, with July numbers showing a significant 58% increase on 2018.

John Challen, CAT’s Eco Centre head, said: “CAT’s core message of climate and environmental solutions is more important now than ever, so it’s great to see the visitor centre so busy.

“There are lots of factors behind the increase – from the increasing attention being paid to the climate emergency, to more people choosing to holiday in UK. We’ve also allowed dogs into the centre for the first time this year and have rolled out a new programme of family friendly activities.”

As the world wakes up to climate change, and as policymakers and local authorities across the UK declare a climate emergency, CAT’s expertise in environmentally sustainable living is in greater demand than ever before.

With a new ‘Zero Carbon Britain Hub and Innovation Lab’ at CAT launching later this year, and with new events and courses being added all the time, the centre is set to expand its activities, bringing benefits to the whole region, with jobs, skills and more.