‘ We can inspire people to simple, cheap actions, to community level insulation. I call this ‘Rebuilding societies’; to retrofit vast numbers of homes. ’
Goals: A zero carbon, nature friendly, socially just Leeds by the 2030s.
Project: Climate Action Leeds
Website: https://www.climateactionleeds.org.uk/
Location: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
Funding: A 5 year project funded by the National Lottery Climate Action programme, £2.5m.
Local context: Leeds is a post-industrial city with 800,000 inhabitants. Key employers are in finance, law, manufacturing and tourism.
Community Facilitator: Andy Goldring, City Hub Lead
Process: CAL is working intensively with 8 communities across Leeds, providing each one with a community development worker. Each community is developing a local climate action plan, which includes things they can do themselves (like setting up a community garden) and things that they need bigger help with (such as public transport). These plans are community led and contain clear, deliverable actions which will be rolled out over the next few years. The initial 8 groups will then become peer-to-peer supporters for the next generation of communities.
Insights: The first phase of work was not about climate change, it was about recognising local needs and identifying local leadership. The focus is on what we can really do; where is our agency, and how does this help us in our everyday lives? For example, promoting home energy efficiency has never been easier, because energy costs have rocketed.
Insights: The first phase of work was not about climate change, it was about recognising local needs and identifying local leadership. The focus is on what we can really do; where is our agency, and how does this help us in our everyday lives? For example, promoting home energy efficiency has never been easier, because energy costs have rocketed.
This is a case study from the Community Climate Coaches (CCC) Erasmus+ project, where we highlight the work of one Coach. Find out more about this type of coaching, how to become one and resources for this journey here.
CCC is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme. Proj. ref.: 2020-1-IE01-KA204-066023
