Responding to the Climate and Ecological Emergencies in Preston: Accelerating Progress

Background

In 2019, Preston City Council, Lancashire County Council and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) all approved the declaration of a Climate Emergency, recognising the urgency of implementing organisational and place-based climate action. Alongside this organisational commitment, there is a growing community-based movement for climate action in Preston.

Preston City Council, UCLan and other anchor institutions are committed to the ‘Preston Model’, implementing Community Wealth Building using local economic assets and co-operative approaches to reap real benefits for citizens, communities and organisations.

The ‘Climate Resilience, Social Justice & COVID-19 Recovery in Preston’ research study has been funded by the ESRC-supported Place-Based Climate Action Network (PCAN). The project has explored

how recovery from COVID-19 can translate into practice the rhetoric of ‘build back better and fairer’ and create innovative and transformative opportunities for climate action – examining how disruption from one threat might galvanise momentum to address another
the intersection of Community Wealth Building, Doughnut Economics, and place-based climate action, considering the benefits of an integrated city-based approach to fostering human flourishing within planetary boundaries.

Aims of Event

To share findings, learning and recommendations from the ‘Climate Resilience, Social Justice & COVID-19 Recovery in Preston’ research study.
To explore opportunities to draw on our collective experience of COVID-19 to accelerate collaborative place-based climate action, drawing on insights from alternative economic models.
To share organisational and community-based perspectives on addressing the Climate and Ecological Emergencies in Preston.

Overview of Programme
Welcome and introduction from Ruth Connor (Deputy Chief Executive, UCLan) and Adrian Phillips (Chief Executive, Preston City Council)

Findings and recommendations from the ‘Climate Resilience, Social Justice & COVID-19 Recovery in Preston’ research project

Panel conversation on accelerating climate action in Preston

Breakout discussions

Keynote talks:

'Addressing the Climate & Ecological Emergencies: The Case for Place-Based Climate Action & Doughnut-Shaped Community Wealth Building’ by John Barry, Professor of Green Political Economy, Queen’s University, Belfast and Mary McManus, Independent Researcher.
‘A Climate Assembly for Preston? Insights from Manchester’ by Bob Walley, Research Fellow, UCLan and Co-Founder of Envirolution.

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