Press Release: Civic Voice launches a new Civic Climate Network
As a number of commentators have said since COP 26, the challenge will be going from the vision set out by national leaders, to actual delivery and the fact that we will all have to make sacrifices to play our part.
Civic Societies are actively involved in flood resilience activities, green space protection and management; promotion of green corridors; cycling/walking initiatives and creating climate change awareness, but is this enough?
We know of some excellent work by local groups, but can we do more as a collective movement? Should we have plans to deliver on the UN's 17 sustainable goals? Climate change is so interconnected in everything we do and, as a country, we need strategies and plans to deal with the national housing crisis, the levelling up agenda, plans to increase the number of affordable homes and those for social rent.
How can we ensure that we call for policies that are consistent in approach in delivering the government's commitment to net-zero by 2050? Should we focus on supporting conversions of existing buildings over new-build? Should we focus on new development in urban areas over green fields at all costs? Or should we have a role to simply inform other people about the different issues? Should we be developing the Civic Voice Design Awards to help make new ideas mainstream and help highlight the local authorities leading in this area?
So, where does the civic society movement fit into this? Joined-up action for climate change and the planning system is complicated; how do we create cleaner, greener and happier high streets?
Following on from a vote at the Civic Voice AGM in 2021, we want to build a meaningful conversation with our network on this topic as we lead up to our AGM in October 2022. We are starting this by establishing a new Climate Change Network and issuing an open call for ideas. Please tell us what you are doing in the areas above, and what you think we, as the national body for Civic Societies, should be doing as we start to explore this theme and discuss where the civic movement can add value to the climate change agenda.
Gill Battarbee, Civic Voice, Lead for Climate Change said: "The potential adverse consequences of climate change will require planning and changes to how we live, and as quoted in the report, the civic movement has a vital role in climate change awareness. I am proud to be Civic Voice's Lead on Climate Change and I ask Civic Societies to contact me and join our new network.”
Civic Voice members to register their interest in the Climate Network via: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)