Our model for community climate and nature action
Over the last five years our Community Climate Action Project has been developing an effective place-based model for climate and nature action. By putting communities at the heart of local action, they can influence city decision makers in an inclusive and accessible way.
Today we’re sharing this model to help other places learn from our experience. You can download an overview of the model in this narrative document.
“Community infrastructure exists everywhere, and community organisations are experts of their place, community and lived experience. It’s essential that we harness the potential of the UK’s community infrastructure to catalyse climate and nature action that not only involves local citizens but also helps improve their quality of life.”
Amy Harrison, Head of Community Partnerships, Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership
We are in an increasingly divisive time. Support for climate and nature action is high and widespread but for some is very conditional on the costs and benefits being fairly distributed across society. A just transition is required, which will only be achieved through sensitive and complex dialogue that ensure solutions reflect the views of local people and communities.
Community organisations provide stable, trusted, and often the only, local infrastructure to connect, support, and include people within communities in climate and nature conversations. It is impossible to conceive how a just transition will happen without them
“We need our societal response to the climate crisis and nature emergency to be as varied and diverse as our nation’s communities. Communities offer an ideal, trusted point of connection and shared context to inspire people, unlock participation and convene perspectives to find new solutions. Communities must be in the mix for a just transition.”
Lizzi Testani, Chief Executive Officer, Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership
This mobilisation of community is needed for transformative and systemic change that will help ensure the UK’s transition has a social mandate and local legitimacy.
The community climate action model centres a just transition, supports both community and climate resilience, and harnesses the social and community infrastructure which exists in all places. It positions communities as key agents of change, recognising and valuing the expertise and specialisms held by community organisations and the voluntary sector. Their lived experience and knowledge of people and place is essential and makes community organisations strategic players in the national transition to net zero.
This model has enabled Bristol to strategically involve diverse communities, along with their needs and insights, in the design and delivery of low carbon transition plans. Early results suggest this approach is working, and has the potential for wider national impact.
“This is innovative and impressive work by Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership. A place-based approach to action on climate and nature, building up the power of communities and creating an enabling local environment, is a more inclusive, more equitable way of doing things, that will deliver tangible outcomes. I’m glad to see Bristol once again showing leadership on this front.”
Kerry McCarthy MP for Bristol East and Minister for Climate, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
If you work for a local authority, climate or VCSE sector organisation or funder and are interested in speaking to our team about the model, please get in touch at contact@bristolclimatenature.org.
Download an overview of the model
Find out more about the Community Climate Action Project
The community climate action model is part of a series of learnings we are sharing from the National Lottery funded Community Climate Action Project over the coming months. Make sure you’re signed up to hear from us, and in the meantime check out our resource library.
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