Date published: 2024-03-28 | Category: Environment and Clean Air, Climate Emergency, Tackling the climate and ecological emergency, Focusing on prevention, Communities and volunteering
Ideas about how people can take positive action to tackle the climate and ecological emergencies were shared by a range of community organisations at an event in Bath last weekend (22-24 March).
The Climate Hub Springtime Assembly at Bath Assembly Rooms featured a range of activities exploring how to create a sustainable future including an eco-fair, an event about how companies can ‘greenwash’ and e-bike demonstrations.
Organised by Climate Hub B&NES, the event was supported by organisations including the National Trust, More Trees for B&NES, Avon Wildlife Trust, Bath and West Community Energy, Transition Bath, Bath Area Growers and Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The council presented information on the support available to residents for retrofitting houses to improve efficiency and reduce energy costs.
Its Somer Valley Rediscovered project, to improve biodiversity in the area whilst better connecting communities to their landscapes, also ran a stall with interactive nature-based springtime activities for families to enjoy.
Mandy Lake, trustee of Climate Hub B&NES said: “The event was a great success with over 500 people attending and we collaborated with 17 wonderful organisations. Many thanks to Transition Bath and Bath Area Growers for their help and a big thank you to the National Trust for allowing us to use Bath Assembly Rooms for the event. It just shows what could be achieved if we all work together in a permanent space to address climate and ecological issues in Bath, so we look forward to continued support from the council with finding premises in the centre of town.”
Councillor Oli Henman, Cabinet Project Lead for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel, said: “As a society we are facing major challenges in terms of the need for a just and sustainable transition to a low carbon economy and that is why it is so important that we all work together to find solutions. As a council, we really appreciate the excellent work of Climate Hub B&NES to connect and convene so many dynamic groups working on different aspects of the climate and ecological emergencies. We are very fortunate in our area that there are so many active community groups and we are strongly committed to supporting local action.”
Alana Wright, Experience and Visitor Programming Manager at Bath Assembly Rooms, National Trust said: ‘It was wonderful to provide space for Climate Hub and local partners to showcase how we can all make changes to reduce our impact on the environment. It felt timely as we’re working to improve the energy efficiency of the Assembly Rooms by reducing our carbon footprint as we move towards a new visitor offer in 2026.’
Eligible households can apply for funding to install energy efficiency measures in their properties through the Bright Green Homes initiative.
Find out what the council is doing to address the climate and ecological emergencies.
ENDS