Governance

Brighton and Hove Climate Alliance

Mission Statement

“It is widely acknowledged that local authorities have suffered severe cuts (almost 50%) to their budgets over the last decade. Engaging the public on any issue can often be expensive, but especially so on such a complex issue as the climate emergency. It is therefore not surprising that local authorities are struggling to find the resources they need to carry out this vital work.

A further question asked what were the drivers for undertaking climate change engagement. The most frequently cited driver was “political will”.

While for some councils it was “early days” in the process, it is striking that by far the most common activities reported (website pages, social media and emails) might be characterised more accurately as “communication” rather than meaningful engagement such as citizens juries or assemblies, focus groups, forums or polls. A few reported that there had been no engagement at all.

There are serious risks in not involving local people in important decisions affecting their local area. Sometimes asking people what they think can be seen as delaying things, but provoking a backlash may cause even greater delays - and time is of the essence for tackling the climate emergency.”

Climate Emergency Public Engagement Survey, APSE / Consultation Institute

“Brighton & Hove City Council believe that the city can only achieve its carbon neutral ambitions with all city organisations, businesses, communities,residents and visitors signed-up to our common agenda and working together to find solutions for the challenges we face. Taking a joined-up approach to delivering projects and initiatives that protect and promote our environment, facilitate behaviour change, support city resilience to the impacts of climate change, and nurture the skills and opportunities we need to help our economy grow and prosper, is central to the city’s ambition.”

Brighton and Hove City Council’s Carbon Neutral 2030 strategy

Aims / Objectives

• Promote more effective engagement and consultation between Brighton and Hove City Council and the wider community with a view to raising awareness of and nurturing support for the Carbon Neutral 2030 and Circular Economy Strategies.
• Create opportunities for issues relating to Climate Action by local and national government to be discussed and debated.
• Promote the exchange of best practice in the field of Climate Action between people and organisations working in the field.
• Support and encourage the development of partnerships and mutually supportive relations between members of the Alliance.

Benefits to Members

• Increased exposure and better representation of you and your members' interests, perspectives and values in shaping city-wide, regional and even national policy in relation to tackling Climate Change.
• The opportunity to engage with other organisations and people working in the broad sector and thereby learn about best practice, emerging ideas and policies and develop collaborations and partnerships.
• Access to online platforms to discuss the ideas, policies and concrete solutions necessary to achieve (or even come close to achieving) the Council’s Carbon Neutral 2030 objectives.
• Access to the community of volunteers / activists mobilised by the Climate Action Centre and the associated outreach and community development events.

Responsibilities of Members

• Co-Programming of discussion panels at events to discuss various aspects of policy development and implementation of the Carbon Neutral 2030 strategy, and related fields / activities.

• Participation in debates and discussions, either at events or via online a discussion forum.

• Promotion of the Alliance, associated events and online discussion platforms to members of your networks.

Supporters

The Brighton and Hove Climate Alliance is supported by : 

Brighton and Hove Trades Council – to read their inspiring statement on the importance of the Labour Movement in tackling climate change, please see their website.

Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce – rather than reject ‘business’ and ‘capitalism’ as part of the problem, we see the development of the sustainable economy and the adoptation of a progressive, ecological capitalism as part of the solution.

Climate:Change – an independent, non-party-political, and non-partisan think-tank on climate change in Brighton and Hove.

Brighton and Hove Friends of the Earth

Brighton Natural Health Centre – we see natural health and sustainability as two sides of the same Climate Coin.

Brighton and Hove Compass – Compass is a home for those who want to build and be a part of a Good Society; one where equality, sustainability and democracy are not mere aspirations, but a living reality. Compass is a place where people come together to create the visions, alliances and actions to be the change we wish to see in the world.

Circular Brighton & Hove / Tech-Takeback / Revaluit Hub – the City is home to some of the leading lights in the Circular Economy Sector. Leading Academic, and CEO of Tech-Takebak Prof. David Greenfield is visiting professor of the Circular Economy at Brighton University.

Brighton and Hove Freegle – the reuse social network is an important player in the circular economy. Cat Fletcher is one of the founders of Freegle and is currently B&H’s Council ‘Re-Use Manager’.

Les Gunbie – along with Cat Fletcher, Les is a Sustainability Representative at Community Works, the local voluntary action council.

The Wood Store (B&H Wood Recycling Project) – a leading player in the city’s circular economy sector, The Brighton & Hove Wood Recycling Project was the first of its kind in the country, dedicated to recycling waste timber.

Indigenous People – a Brighton based charitable company working with traditional / spiritual music and dance companies, particularly from Africa, that has a strong eco-spiritual dimension to their work.