People attending an event, sat in a large circle

[Source: East Suffolk Council]

A free-to-attend climate conference will examine the benefits of developing local solutions to overcoming a global crisis.

The Climate Resilient Communities event, organised by the Greenprint Forum, will feature expert talks on empowering local people to take positive action to protect the environment.

The University of Suffolk’s Dr Alison Pooley will be joined for the event by fellow guest speaker Julian Thompson, of Breckland based sustainability project, iFarm.

East Suffolk Council’s Melton headquarters will host the event from 6pm to 9pm on Monday 21 November.

The Greenprint Forum is a voluntary network facilitated by the district council and established to help enable community based environmental action.

James Mallinder, East Suffolk Council’s cabinet member for the Environment, said:

“As a local authority, we recognise the need to reduce our own carbon emissions and to encourage communities to help fight climate change.

“We declared a climate emergency in 2019 and set up a cross-party Environment Task Group to work towards an ambition of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

“We all have a role to play in limiting our impact on the environment. By looking at the challenges facing communities, and at examples of communities taking positive action, the Climate Resilient Communities forum will explore how we can work towards achieving local resilience. The smallest of changes we make in our lives does have an impact, and we must never underestimate the impact we can make.”

Greenprint Forum chairman, Jane Healey added:

“Two of Greenprint Forum’s aims are Eco-Friendly Development and Energy Generating Homes. Our focus for this event is how can our communities be helped to prepare and retrofit their towns and villages to meet the impact of the current energy crisis and the need to transition completely away from fossil-fuel solutions.

“We’re looking forward to exploring, discussing and sharing experiences of the barriers and solutions of local communities to the challenge.”

To register for the event, visit the Greenprint Forum Forthcoming Events page of the East Suffolk Council website.

For more information on the Greenprint Forum, visit eastsuffolk.gov.uk/east-suffolk-greenprint-forum.