Development of a Climate Emergency Community Partnership has begun
On Wednesday 29th July 2020 the council hosted part 1 of an online development event for the creation of a Climate Emergency (CE) Community Partnership in the Forest of Dean.
Fifty members of the community attended, with a range of stakeholders present. Attendees included representatives from Transition Newent, local councils, County Council, local business owners, local farmers markets and local charitable organisations.
The CE Rapid Action Plan (RAP) (adopted in February 2020 and available at https://www.fdean.gov.uk/environment/climate-action/our-route-to-carbon-neutral/) identified that FODDC should establish a community based CE partnership and details the principles of such a partnership.
Two questions therefore arose; (1) How should a partnership initially be established and function? (2) What will its priorities and areas of focus be?
This event aimed to address the first question by exploring various structure options for the CE partnership moving forward and included presentations from the Forest of Dean Economic Partnership, Foresters’ Forest and Transition Community Corsham. The event focused on listening and absorbing ideas on how the partnership could develop and in many respects was a warm up for the second event. Part 2 (details to be released shortly) will allow for discussion of these options.
We ask that anyone who attended the event please complete this feedback survey (https://forms.gle/H9iR1YTHfv3potvP8) ASAP. If you were unable to attend the part 1 event but would like to share your ideas on how the CE Community Partnership could develop please also complete the feedback form or alternatively email [email protected] with any ideas or suggestions.
Cllr Chris McFarling, portfolio holder for the Climate Emergency said: “I truly believe that this community partnership will change our relationship with the world, reduce our impact on the natural environment, and reduce our common carbon footprints. With imagination and commitment, the partnership will create the sustainable solutions necessary to show others how we in the Forest of Dean can not only safeguard our children’s future, but prosper on that journey.”
The Council remains keen to work collaboratively with the community, Town and Parish Councils and other partners to tackle the climate emergency and will continue to keep everyone informed about its progress.
For further information and ‘Top Tips’ on how to lower your carbon footprint view the Council’s climate change webpage: https://www.fdean.gov.uk/environment/climate-action/climate-action-you-can-take/