Climate Change Forum to launch in Chesterfield
Chesterfield Borough Council is getting ready to launch a climate change forum and is looking for Chesterfield based representatives to get involved.
Climate change is a huge issue, and everyone has their own view on how Chesterfield Borough Council can make a difference in our communities. Therefore, if you are part of a community group or organisation and could spare a bit of time, the council wants to hear from you.
The forum is planned to launch in September and will meet in person around once each quarter.
The representatives involved will be asked to act as a sounding board, comment on current projects, suggest new ideas and help Chesterfield Borough Council to raise awareness about climate projects happening either through the council or locally. The plan is to create a wide consultative process, in which the council is working closely with a variety of community representatives.
No experience of climate projects is required, just an interest in helping to shape plans in relation to climate change in the future.
Councillor Martin Stone, cabinet member for climate change, planning and environment, said: “By joining the group you will have the opportunity to network, collaborate, and discuss how climate change will affect your communities of interest and what we can do to support an effective change across the borough.
“We always welcome new ideas and community views, so if you do run or attend a local interest group and would like to make a difference to Chesterfield and its future, consider applying to be a part of the climate forum.
“Taking action on climate change is a collaborative process, and we can work together to find new ways of making changes in our communities.”
The council launched a new seven-year climate change strategy (2023-2030) earlier this year that is based around several themes including: buildings and energy use, travel, green space, land use and offsetting carbon emissions. This is Chesterfield Borough Council’s formal commitment to putting climate change at the centre of everything it does, ensuring this is always considered as part of service output and decision-making processes.
The creation of the climate forum will help to build and shape the authority’s future plans and will allow it to get an insight into how community groups or organisations could play a part in the communication of messaging and get involved in climate projects.
Councillor Stone continued: “I’d like to encourage representatives from our communities to join us in progressing our efforts to becoming a carbon neutral organisation by 2030 and help to reach the goal of being a carbon neutral borough by 2050”.
If you would like to be part of the forum, please contact the climate change team at Chesterfield Borough Council via email climate@chesterfield.gov.uk.
The first session will contain a training element, so individuals are requested to get in touch with the team at their earliest convenience.
