Local Climate Issues: Communication is Key

Local elections look like bad news for climate action – so what can we do about it?

It seems that the only people happy with the local election results this week are Reform supporters. And, whilst local priorities will probably take precedence in these areas, it’s fair to say that no Reform candidates have climate action as one of their priority areas. In fact, the comments in their ‘manifesto’ – their ‘Contract with the People’ mentions harnessing the oil and gas we have within our borders, and completely scrapping any Net Zero subsidies, explaining that these net zero policies are in fact ‘crippling our economy’. Nowhere are the consequences of not getting to net zero mentioned.

One thing to mention before we look a bit closer at it is that you should definitely reach out to the new representatives and councillors when you are holdign community events. Remember, just because their policies might seem completely incompatible, it’s about an open conversation – climate issues at a local level.

How do we talk about the need for climate action at a local level without getting stuck in the culture wars or immigration issues that many Reform candidates are pushing?

Energy Freedom

The need for the UK to be free of costly and politically charged energy imports is an area that all parties can agree on, surely? And it is possible. Don’t let them talk about how it is impossible, or a dream.

Reform talk about harnessing our oil and gas reserves – so why not the sun and wind? Why not explore renewable energy that can be used at a local, community level, as well as at a national level? We are not short of good examples of that working. The Regional Renewable Energy Report (2023) highlights the growth in renewable energy across all areas. Whilst the Energy Saving Trust highlights good practice from across the UK – including community solar projects and this innovtative project, The Net Zero Terraced Street Project that combines new technologies such as heat pumps, solar, batteries and smart controls to deliver community heat and energy storage.

Cost to the economy

Putting aside the cost of not getting to net zero (as often they see that as a belief, rather than fact), talking about how Green Skills can empower a new generation and help us compete with industry overseas. There are numerouse reports – the difficulty is in ensuring that it has some integrity with who you are talking to. One by Deloitte, for example, talks about specific industry – such as Hydrogen.

The hydrogen sector has the potential to create 100,000 jobs by 2050. Carbon capture and storage is a nascent green sector, highlighted as vital by the IPCC. But building it will require significant technical skills currently in limited supply. Consequently, project management skills from the oil and gas industry, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) and engineering expertise will all become of increasing value.

Source: https://www.deloitte.com/uk/en/services/consulting/research/green-skills-for-green-economy.html

Using a Trusted Messenger

Using someone who is trusted and respected by your audience can be a difficult one to work on. Politicians can’t always be relied upon ( and are often not trusted!) – whilst celebrities can shoot themselves in the foot by often not practising what they preach. But, it can be done, and the use of social media can be helpful here. What can work better is local, community, examples. The respected local pub that has switched to a renewable energy supplier, the football team that have switched to electric vehicles, the community repair cafe etc – try to look for examples that reach beyond carbon emissions.

It’s more than just reducing carbon

Emphasising the co-benefits is a simple way of talking about climate action, but it is easily overlooked. Put simply, talk about the projects and the policies that don’t focus on carbon emissions. Exploring the circular ecnoomy means less cost to the consumer, active transport in local areas supports tourism, the economy and cleaner, safer streets. If you know your council has a specific local issue, such as health, speed limits then search for iniatives that are suporting that – chances are that they have also reduced emissions and supported a more sustainable lifestyle.

If you have any success to share when lobbying or working with councillors who don’t agree with your views, do share!