What you can do to limit your impact on climate change will be the subject of special one-off event in Alton this Friday.
With expert speakers, advice and exhibits from organisations, authorities and environmental groups, the COP26 East Hampshire will provide residents and businesses all the information they need to cut carbon and reduce climate change.
Held from 2pm to 6.45pm, with a dedicated business-focussed session from 6pm, the event has been organised in partnership between East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds and East Hampshire District Council.
Damian Hinds MP said: “I am very excited by this opportunity to showcase some of the great work already underway in East Hampshire, and to talk about ways that we can help accelerate our move to Net Zero. Climate change can often seem a remote issue, but what happens here locally does really matter, and we all have a contribution to make. I hope residents and businesses will come and learn more about how to be part of the solution.”
Among the speakers will be Lord Deben, Chairman of the UK’s Committee on Climate Change, who advises the government on environmental issues. His key-note address will be delivered by video as he is now unable to attend the event in person.
An exhibition will give local businesses, community groups and organisations the chance to showcase what they are doing to reduce their carbon emissions and to offer advice, goods and services to help others do the same.
The event will finish with a business-focused section offering guidance on how to grow a business while reducing its impact on the environment, featuring Jennie Pell, Enterprise EM3 LEP’s Clean Growth specialist.
Jennie will explain how it is possible for businesses to reduce carbon emissions while cutting costs and keeping competitive at the same time. Local businesses that have already made a start on their low-carbon journey will explain how they have done it.
Cllr Robert Mocatta, EHDC’s Portfolio Holder for Climate Change & Placemaking, said: “In November, world leaders will gather in Glasgow for the international COP26 to discuss how we can put the brakes on climate change.
“It is a huge, global problem, but we all need to play our part. And that’s why community COPs, like this one in Alton, are so important.
“Everyone has to take responsibility and to take action to reduce their impact on climate change and limit the effects of climate change.”
Ahead of the event three local Action Groups are developing recommendations in the key subject areas of buildings; transport; and land use and agriculture.
Participants in these groups include local community groups and organisations who are active in these sectors, as well as representatives from local businesses, farms and schools and officials from both Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council.
The findings from these groups will be shared at the COP26 East Hampshire event, showcasing new ideas and innovative work already underway locally.
Among the visiting organisations will be environmental community groups such as the Petersfield and Alton Climate Action Networks, Energy Alton, Plastic Free Alton and the Binsted Eco Network.
If you run a business you can seek advice from organisations that can help you reduce your carbon emissions, such as LoCase and powerQuad and thermal imaging company iRed.
Active transport options such as cycling and electric vehicles will be represented and local schools will be able to show and tell what they have been doing to reduce their carbon footprint.
The event is being run as part of EHDC's Let's Talk community engagement programme.
For more information or to register for the event, go to: www.easthants.gov.uk/cop26-east-hampshire