Many town and parish councils in Cornwall are taking action. From declaring a climate emergency through to developing climate action plans and cutting their use of fossil fuels.
Climate change charity Ashden have developed a toolkit which you may find useful. The toolkit shows how action on climate change can deliver local benefits, including:
Improved health
Increased equality and social cohesion
Economic opportunities
Increased resilience
Ashden have written 31 Climate Actions for Councils in partnership with Friends of the Earth.
Town and Parish Councils will know their local community's needs and challenges best. Below are some general areas to consider.
Find out your carbon footprint and create a plan
Town and parish councils can undertake their own carbon footprints. By understanding emission sources, you are able to identify priority areas for action.
There are free tools available - find out more on the Hive.
Our Hive has toolkits and guides for taking action
The Greenhouse Gas Accounting Tool has been designed for town and parish councils.
Draw up a carbon reduction action plan based on your council's footprint and agree reduction targets.
It may be helpful to pool ideas on reducing your council's and your community's carbon footprint at the same time.
Cornwall VSF's Green Footsteps Guide is a helpful resource
Information about Cornwall's carbon footprint and Cornwall Council's carbon footprint can be found on our climate and energy pages.
Lead by example
Take action where you can make a difference and let your community know what you have achieved. Share updates at meetings, on your website, in newsletters and in your annual report.
This could be any of the following (or other actions not listed):
Committed to using less paper at council meetings.
Committed to using local suppliers wherever possible.
Discouraged the use of single-use plastics (i.e. bottled water) and single use cups, plates or cutlery.
Encouraged members to bring their own reusable cups.
Reduced energy usage in your buildings through better insulation, solar panels and batteries, and other renewable energy options.
Installed EV charge points for your communities.
Promoted sustainable transport options in your communities.
Come together
Come together to share ideas and learn from others about creating climate action plans and projects. If you would like to join an existing informal group for town and parish councils to share on this topic, email us at climatechange@cornwall.gov.uk.
Champion innovation and inclusiveness
There are many ways to champion innovation and inclusiveness as a town or parish council.
Encourage community projects that reduce carbon emissions.
Encourage the adoption of clean energy and the use of electric vehicles.
Champion schemes that help people out of fuel poverty (such as community renewable energy schemes).
Enable mobility and easier access to green spaces.
Commission or raise funds for thermal imaging scans of properties to look at energy efficiencies that could be made.
Research and promote grant schemes for residents and organisations.
Look at bulk purchasing schemes for solar panels.
Spread the word
One of the most valuable things town and parish councils can do is help local people understand what actions they can take on climate change and what support is available.
Organise a climate action day. Celebrate local projects and invite other organisations to attend.
Offer space in community buildings for advice sessions on topics that matter to residents. For example, energy saving pop-up advice surgeries to reduce fuel bills (see Community Energy Plus events calendar).
Cornwall's Climate Response Hive
We are working to support you and your communities and local groups. We have an online engagement web platform.
Cornwall's Climate Response Hive is an online space to share information and ideas.
It shows how individuals, communities, and organisations are leading the way in Cornwall. There are lots of resources to inspire us all.
Please feel free to link to the Hive from your own website. Promote it in your newsletters and messages to people who live in your local area.
Email us at climatechange@cornwall.gov.uk if you would like any information and graphics to promote the Hive in your area.
Newsletter on Cornwall's climate response
Keep-up-to date with how Cornwall Council, organisations, and communities across Cornwall are taking action for better human and environmental health. Get in touch with us to share what's happening in your local area.