The Great Big Green Week was organised by The Climate Coalition, and brought together communities and individuals from across the UK for a week of festivals and events from 18-26 September. It showcased an amazing range of climate-based community events, helping community energy organisations bring their members and supporters together and reach out into your local communities. 

Here's a snapshot of what CEE members were up to:

Bristol Energy Network supported a day of action co-organised with St Marks Road Traders Forum & Eastside Community Trust. Bringing together the high street with Easton Jamia Masjid Mosque, through stalls and demonstrations they were able to highlight what the climate emergency means, and how all faiths and communities can come together to provide solutions. 

This is part of their programme of support for Eastside Community Trust, developing a Climate Action Plan for Easton & Lawrence Hill Ward 

Eastside Community Trust’s Community Project Manager Emily Fifield gave an insight into their work reaching out to the community this past year:

“Over the summer, we’ve been talking to local people to develop a picture of how we can build a healthy and happy community that cares for and helps rebuild our environment whilst protecting it for future generations.  These conversations, feedback during events and responses to our survey will all feed into the Community Climate Action plan we are developing that outlines the priorities for our area. 

 “The past 18 months have shown us that we are stronger than we know when we work together. It’s also proven to us that we have the ability to take on enormous challenges as a community, especially when we’re protecting the people we love. This is just the start of a long process but we do know that with the experiences, knowledge and passion in our community we can make plans for a healthy future for us and our planet.”

Read more about the event here

Charge My Street held three events across the North-West of England, from Lancaster to Keswick in the Lake District. The events were organised with the goal of bringing people out who wanted to learn more about the benefits of switching to an electric vehicle, for themselves as well as the planet. Participants were able to ask questions and discuss their barriers to adoption with other participants and personnel from Charge My Street. According to Charge My Street, each person who makes the switch to an EV will save 2837.3 kg CO2e per annum, and those savings will make a great impact on their local community as well as the planet as a whole.

Croydon Climate Action held a very successful week as part of the national Great Big Green Week. Events included a photography competition, litter picks, author talks, park conservation, a green jobs panel, sustainable nappy event, a school fair and more! People from all ages and background got involved, especially those who aren't usually involved in climate activism. The big finale was a festival of stalls on the high street, including from Croydon Community Energy, which attracted many passers by, and they reported many positive and engaging conversations about what can be done in Croydon. 

 

Great Big Green Week website