With fewer than 100 days to the international COP26 conference, organisations across Suffolk are planning events to highlight the impact of climate change in the county, and what we can all do to slow it.
COP26 is the 2021 United Nations annual climate change conference. It is being held in November Glasgow, hosted by the UK together with partners, Italy.
In the build-up to COP26, events around Suffolk will showcase local businesses and people who are tackling climate change, to inspire others to follow. The events aim to encourage businesses and residents to do more personally and professionally to reduce carbon emissions and therefore slow the increase of climate change.
One of the events confirmed to be taking place in Suffolk is the visit of the national Zero Carbon Tour, organised by Planet Mark. The Tour sees a fully electric ‘Carbon Battle Bus’ making visits around the country before arriving at the COP26 conference.
Councillor Richard Rout, member of the Suffolk Climate Change, Environment and Energy Portfolio Holders’ Group, and deputy leader and cabinet member for Finance and Environment at Suffolk County Council, said:
“I’m delighted that Suffolk has been chosen to be part of the national Zero Carbon Tour, as I’m proud of all the climate change work that is going on here. I want more people to hear about it. Although many local authorities declared climate emergencies in the last couple of years, I want people to know that Suffolk has been addressing climate change for many years before that.
“But we must all be doing more to reduce our carbon emissions. Which is why colleagues from across the county have recently worked hard to produce and approve the Suffolk Climate Emergency Plan. This gives Suffolk’s public sector organisations a framework and commitment to each pursue our own net zero strategies, whilst working together for the benefit of Suffolk. Together, we are supporting and guiding our residents, communities and businesses to make the changes required to best set Suffolk on the path for carbon neutrality by 2030.
“I think the COP26 conference will be an influential moment in our ambitions for Suffolk to achieve net zero by 2030. Coupled with the recent IPCC global warming report, it should focus everyone’s minds that each resident and business must be doing more and doing it more quickly.”
The purpose of the Zero Carbon Tour is to discuss the concept of net zero carbon and why it is critical for businesses. Suffolk’s businesses, organisations and community groups will share their stories about how they have started their journeys to net zero. This will inspire and give confidence to those considering how to reduce their carbon emissions.
Steve Malkin, Founder and CEO, Planet Mark, said:
“There is no doubt, we are living in a seminal and historic moment in time. 2020 – 2030 has been coined the Decade of Action, a period in which we need to tackle the climate crisis and halt biodiversity loss. The global pursuit of net zero carbon emissions is a huge undertaking, and only possible with help from businesses and communities alike.
“We are excited to bring the net zero message to Ipswich, and share the ‘carbon stories’ of organisations, community groups and individuals playing their part in creating a sustainable future for Suffolk, the United Kingdom and beyond.”
It will be visiting the University of Suffolk in Ipswich on 1 September 2021 and you can register your place here.
This event and others are taking place across Suffolk in the lead up to COP26, as part of Suffolk’s collective campaign of Creating The Greenest County, and be net zero by 2030. As part of the Suffolk Climate Emergency Plan, these events look to encourage collaborative action by educating and engaging with residents and businesses to develop net zero journey.
Other events which are being planned in Suffolk in the lead up to COP26 include:
- August/September – Webinars for Suffolk’s voluntary sector (Suffolk County Council)
- 1 September – Zero Carbon Tour visits Ipswich
- 12 October – Ten Steps to Net Zero (Suffolk Chamber of Commerce)
- 21-22 October – Local Energy Showcase (Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council)
- TBC October – A Greener NHS day
- 12 November – Greenest County Awards (Suffolk County Council)
- 23-25 November – Low Carbon Homes
All events are subject to change, visit www.greensuffolk.org for the latest details and information about starting your journey to net zero.