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Supporting community action on climate change

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How do I decide what action to take?

There are so many different actions we can take to reduce the carbon footprint of our local communities. This section aims to help you figure out which are most suitable for your context and your community.

On this page you will find:

  • What makes a successful initiative: A 20-minute video clip from Anni Sander talking through how to balance effectiveness with sustainability of community climate actions,
  • Slides and Worksheets: Slides and a worksheet to help work through this topic,
  • Further Resources: A list of further resources including articles, guides, websites, blogs or video clips help build knowledge of the topic. Note these resources are external pages not moderated or managed by Cambridge Carbon Footprint.
Back to the Net Zero Now Resource Hub

What makes a successful initiative?

Slides and Worksheets

Slides: What makes a successful initiative

Worksheet: Identifying Options
Worksheet designed to help you think about the impact and achievability of different options for community climate action

Further resources

23 Community Actions
Carbon Copy’s categorisation of different types of community action including case studies for each.

31 Climate Actions for Councils
An evidence-based list of the most effective actions councils can take on climate.

39 Ways to Save the Planet
BBC Radio Four, in partnership with the Royal Geographical Society, presents 39 ideas to relieve the stress that climate change is exerting on the planet.

Centre for Sustainable Energy
Specifically focused on community energy. Site contains a wealth of information on local energy initiatives and the role they have to play in the transformation of the UK’s energy system.

Impact Tool
Impact is a digital visualisation tool that helps you understand your community’s carbon footprint. It works for parishes, wards and local authority areas.

Net Zero Climate: Tools Library
A library of hundreds of free practical tools for businesses, policy makers and organisations of every size and across every sector to help organisations meet net zero targets.

Ten Bold Ideas: Accelerating climate action in the 2020s
By Possible. (formally 10:10 Climate Action) on their top 10 solutions to climate change

Back to the Net Zero Now Resource Hub

How do I decide what action to take?

This session focuses on:

  • listening to your local community to understand the needs; and
  • thinking about the potential actions you could take in your community and which would be the most achievable.

Note: As this session was very interactive and consisted mainly of group discussions, there is no recording available.

Resources

Worksheets

Essential reading

ThemeTitleTypeTimeDetails
Local actionNicole's Ideas for Community Climate ActionGuidance0:07:00Recommendations for events and activities from Nicole Barton, Volunteer and Events Organiser at Cambridge Carbon Footprint
Local action31 Climate Actions for Local GovernmentsGuidance0:20:00An evidence-based list of the most effective actions councils can take on climate.
Local actionCarbon CopyGuidance0:20:00Sharing and celebrating real world examples of local climate solutions.
Local Action PlanLocal Authority Climate Plan ChecklistGuidance1:00:00A checklist for local authorities and community groups to draw up and assess climate and ecological emergency action plans.

Further reading

ThemeTitleTypeTimeDetails
Local governmentA councillor’s workbook on the local pathway to net zeroGuidance0:40:00This workbook intended to provide councillors with insight and assistance on net zero and the role of local authorities in achieving it.
Local governmentZero Carbon BritainTraining-A list of training opportunities from the Centre for Alternative Technology and their Zero Carbon Britain team.
FootprintingImpactFootprinting tool0:10:00A tool providing a visual representation of your community’s carbon footprint, helping you spot the areas where your community climate change activities can make the biggest differences to reduce it.
Local governmentCCC - Local Authority and the Sixth BudgetReport1:00:00A report from the Committee on Climate Change on the role of local authorities in delivering the UK’s Net Zero ambition.
Local networkCambridge Resilience MapNetwork0:10:00A network map of environmental and social justice groups in Cambridge city. Useful for finding local like-minded organisations, seeing common connections and contributing to proactive collaboration across Cambridge.
Local actionZero Carbon BritainGuidance-Resources for councils, communities and other organisations on reaching net zero.
Local actionCollective for Climate ActionNetwork-A self-organised network of public sector employees working throughout the UK to build ambition in government on addressing the climate and biodiversity crisis.
Local actionLocal Government Case StudiesCase studies-Case studies of innovative council programmes.
Local Action PlanNeighbourhood planning in a climate emergencyReport0:45:00A guide to policy writing and community engagement for low-carbon neighbourhood plans
National schemesCentre for Sustainable EnergyCommunity energy saving charity-A wealth of information on local energy initiatives and the role they have to play in the transformation of the UK’s energy system.
Local actionLocal Energy Options – A Guidance Document for Local GovernmentGuidance-A guidance document outlining the options and opportunities for local energy.
Local actionClimate Emergency CentresNetwork-Support to establish self funding community climate hubs in disused buildings.

 

Slides

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