As the world focuses on Glasgow for the UN Climate Conference, East Hampshire will be hosting its own climate conference of its own, focusing on the opportunities to take action locally.
The event, organised by East Hampshire District Council and Damian Hinds MP, will be held in Alton on 8 October, ahead of the international summit COP26, in November.
The Community COP East Hampshire will be an opportunity to look at what we can do locally — households, businesses, the public sector and others — in East Hampshire to accelerate decarbonisation.
Damian Hinds MP said: “Tackling climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our age. Britain is a decarbonisation leader internationally, but we need to go much further to get to Net Zero. Much of that will be about policy, national initiatives and international agreements, but locally too we play a key part as individuals, families, firms and communities.
"COP East Hampshire is our opportunity to look at how to support that, sharing information and best practice. It will complement the great work done by East Hampshire’s strong network of climate and environmental groups.
“I am really excited about this initiative and the potential to help reduce our individual and collective carbon footprint. Each contribution will make a difference.”
Cllr Robert Mocatta, EHDC’s Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, said: “Climate change is the biggest issue facing the world today and we all have a part to play in fighting it.
“That’s why we have set up the Community COP East Hampshire to run in parallel with the international COP26 event. To really make progress against climate change we will need to tackle it root and branch, both on the international stage and locally.
“Community COP East Hampshire will give residents and businesses an insight into the issues we must overcome and the best actions we can take to limit our own impact on the environment.”
Three local Action Groups are currently 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 COP East Hampshire event, showcasing new ideas and innovative work already underway locally.
Alongside the presentations and talks will be an exhibition, enabling visitors to engage with organisations and companies that can support action locally to decarbonise.
For anyone keen to find out more about the event or the opportunity to exhibit, please contact georgia.loud@easthants.gov.uk
More details, and information on how to register, will be published in September.