COMMUNITY
Community of practice connecting net zero champions
Talking about climate change
March’s monthly meetup focused on talking about climate change.
Simon, from Forest of Dean District Council, shared insights from a Peer-to-Peer Learning Session on Carbon Literacy Training held in December 2023.
The Community formed breakout groups based on emerging topics, focusing on ‘talking about climate change.’
Translating scientific jargon, engaging stakeholders early, and generating buy-in across councils are essential for effective local net zero transitions.
Lessons learned
What was said
- Having a mixed audience during carbon literacy training sessions supports cross-sector collaboration and diversity of thought.
- Delivery structures can be flexible to meet the needs of the participants. While online-focused delivery has been the norm, there are benefits of in-person sessions that allow for dynamic discussions.
- Grounding carbon literacy training in local contexts and issues can help participants understand its relevance and applicability.
- Many places are taking a whole systems approach to their carbon literacy and incorporating elements of biodiversity and adaptation into their training.
- Beyond training, establishing clear objectives and robust performance management systems will help to build organisational capacity.
- Your peers discussed the potential to integrate carbon literacy with communication and engagement strategies.
- Conversations delved into the concept of governance as a mechanism for facilitating project delivery and how to ensure continuity despite changes in staff.
- There was an emphasis on focusing on benefits and solutions rather than solely highlighting the challenges of achieving net zero.
- A discussion on finance centered on engaging finance partners and enabling investments for net zero initiatives.
- Support was requested from technical assistance partners in providing generic recommendations on finance that are applicable to a wide range of stakeholders.
Lessons learned
- Having a mixed audience during carbon literacy training sessions supports cross-sector collaboration and diversity of thought.
- Delivery structures can be flexible to meet the needs of the participants. While online-focused delivery has been the norm, there are benefits of in-person sessions that allow for dynamic discussions.
- Grounding carbon literacy training in local contexts and issues can help participants understand its relevance and applicability.
- Many places are taking a whole systems approach to their carbon literacy and incorporating elements of biodiversity and adaptation into their training.
- Beyond training, establishing clear objectives and robust performance management systems will help to build organisational capacity.
What was said
- Your peers discussed the potential to integrate carbon literacy with communication and engagement strategies.
- Conversations delved into the concept of governance as a mechanism for facilitating project delivery and how to ensure continuity despite changes in staff.
- There was an emphasis on focusing on benefits and solutions rather than solely highlighting the challenges of achieving net zero.
- A discussion on finance centered on engaging finance partners and enabling investments for net zero initiatives.
- Support was requested from technical assistance partners in providing generic recommendations on finance that are applicable to a wide range of stakeholders.
Community platform walkthrough
Liminal hosted a community platform walkthrough after the March monthly meetup. They explored the platform’s features including direct messaging and notifications and the emerging project profiles space.
The platform is for you – and discussions were held around how to tailor the platform to meet your needs.
You can expect to see an increase project profiles, collaborative and thematic spaces, and clear communication and guidelines.
If you haven’t done so already, please fill out the project description form.
If you haven’t already signed up, click on the link below to create a profile, connect with your peers, and join the conversation.
Influencing internal stakeholders
February’s monthly meetup focused on influencing internal stakeholders.
We welcomed Dr. Duncan Booker from Glasgow City Council, who emphasised the pivotal role of conversations within local authorities to drive net zero goals.
He stressed local leadership’s importance in initiating action and highlighted the role of peer support from initiatives like Core Cities and Future Ready.
Encouraging the Community to harness compelling climate stories will generate greater collective action towards net zero.
Implications for places
Opportunities for places
- Communicating net zero ambitions in conversations can help gain internal support and align objectives.
- Including wider teams in planning processes can help to address climate concerns from the start.
- Prioritising equity alongside carbon reduction in plans can help foster staff buy-in.
- Using internal expertise to consult different teams and departments can support knowledge sharing and skill development.
- Moving from isolated climate teams to integrated initiatives encourages holistic decision-making.
- Clarifying local net zero costs and highlighting potential savings can support budgeting and resource allocation.
Implications for places
- Communicating net zero ambitions in conversations can help gain internal support and align objectives.
- Including wider teams in planning processes can help to address climate concerns from the start.
- Prioritising equity alongside carbon reduction in plans can help foster staff buy-in.
Opportunities for places
- Using internal expertise to consult different teams and departments can support knowledge sharing and skill development.
- Moving from isolated climate teams to integrated initiatives encourages holistic decision-making.
- Clarifying local net zero costs and highlighting potential savings can support budgeting and resource allocation.