Eye-Opening Insights and a United Front for Climate Action in North Yorkshire
On Saturday, I had the privilege of attending the very first joint conference organised by the North Yorkshire Climate Coalition, and I have to say, it was a truly eye-opening and inspiring day. As many of you know, North Yorkshire is buzzing with dedicated local climate and environmental groups – from Settle to Skipton, Stokesley to Malhamdale, Richmond to Ryedale, Northallerton to Harrogate, Nidderdale to Malton. The North Yorkshire Climate Coalition was formed to bring all these passionate groups together, giving collective efforts a stronger voice across the county.
The conference, in Harrogate was a vibrant hub for community groups and individuals working tirelessly on climate action in our region to connect, share ideas, and learn from each other's experiences.
The day was packed with insightful sessions. We heard from a range of speakers including Cllr Greg White, Roz Savage MP, and David Tonge. The marketplace was a fantastic opportunity to see the tangible projects being undertaken by different groups. It was fascinating to learn about setting up a local energy club with Settle Energy Local Club, how Climate Action Stokesley and Villages are spreading the word, the vital work Fossil Free North Yorkshire are doing on pension fund divestment, the biodiversity efforts of Malhamdale Environment Group, the restoration initiatives of Ryedale Environmental Group, and even the practical skills being shared at the Thirsk Repair Cafe, which ties in nicely with our own Repair Cafe project. The North East & Yorkshire Net Zero Hub also had a valuable presence.
For the workshops, there were some really crucial topics being covered. While there was a session on Regenerative Agriculture and Restoring Nature, and another important one on Shaping York & North Yorkshire’s Routemap to Carbon Negative, I personally attended the workshop on Climate Adaptation: How Communities Can Prepare. This session, led by Jos Holmes, Climate Change Policy Officer from North Yorkshire Council, was particularly impactful. It really brought home the tangible impacts of global temperature rise on our local communities and explored practical steps we can take to prepare. It was a sobering but ultimately empowering discussion, highlighting the need for proactive measures at a local level.
Later in the day, I also joined the Retrofit Roadshow – What Do People Want & What Will Draw Them In workshop with Zero Carbon Harrogate. This was a really engaging session brainstorming ideas for a potential pop-up shop initiative across North Yorkshire and York aimed at encouraging home energy efficiency improvements. We discussed how to make this appealing and accessible to residents, which is a vital step in our journey to net zero.
Leaving the conference, I felt a real sense of unity and renewed energy. It was incredibly valuable connecting with people facing similar challenges and celebrating successes in different parts of North Yorkshire. I came away with a wealth of new ideas that I'm keen to explore for our local groups.
Inspired by what I saw, I'd love to connect with anyone in the Selby area who is passionate about climate action and wants to get involved. If you have any questions about the conference or Our Zero Selby, please contact Claire at claire@upforyorkshire.org.uk or call 01757 201111.