Creating low-carbon communities

Fellows in Warwickshire are bringing people together to take climate action in rural areas

by Bob Sherman and Hugh Tottle

Wanting to respond to the climate challenge, in 2010 we set up Harbury Energy Initiative, a village volunteer-run group that aims to save energy, reduce household costs and cut carbon within our community.

Looking to share our experiences and connect with others, we went to Making Places Last in Birmingham, a sustainability conference organised by another Fellow, David Middleton. This inspired us to hold our own event to bring people together in exploring how to nurture low-carbon rural communities.

Six months later, in April 2019, our event — How Low-Carbon is Your Community — took place. We filled Harbury Village Hall and attendees included local councillors, representatives of community groups and businesses. A number of Fellows also took part, among them Jacqueline McGlade, a former chief scientist to the UN Environment Programme, who

lives locally. We have since remained in touch with Jacqueline, using what we have learned in Harbury to support her work developing a low-carbon community centre in Sekenani in the Maasai Mara, Kenya.

Soon after, two Fellows, Jacky Lawrence and John Stott, hosted events in neighbouring villages, Napton and Henley. These have generated wider interest and we are supporting the development of more events,

both virtual and face-to-face in the future.

At these events, experts present their insights and attendees discuss issues and ideas and vote on which future actions should be prioritised. Climate action groups have been formed to turn those ideas into reality. In Napton, the group inspired the local primary school to set up an eco-club and plant a wild.flower meadow.

A local hub is now evolving to pool resources and make it easier for other rural communities to access information and connect. Ideas that have emerged include: mobilising young people to organise sessions with local leaders, where they inform them of their ideas and concerns; and creating a network of ‘demonstration’ low-carbon homes and buildings.

The Fellowship network has been a great support. We took part in an RSA Sustainability Network online event, which helped us learn from other Fellows’ projects. And we have had support from Henry Greenwood FRSA and the Green Schools Project as we continue to try to engage with local schools.

In March 2020, we took part in a three-tier local government event on waste and energy. There was a lot of interest in what we are doing and Warwickshire County Council now seems keen to support our future activity, which is fantastic.

Connecting local communities for mutual encouragement and support is such a simple idea, but it also feels so powerful. We are helping people to effect local change in the face of a global challenge that can otherwise seem overwhelming.

Top tips

•The RSA exists for rural communities as much as cities. Reach out and see how you can engage

•Connect with the Fellowship network. Most of the RSA’s events are online

• Engage your local councillors and keep them in the loop about what you are doing. It might take some time, but it’s worth persisting

Bob Sherman is former Chief Horticultural Officer at Garden Organic, and founder and Chair of Harbury Energy Initiative, Harbury e-Wheels and the Low Carbon Warwickshire Network. Hugh Tottle is a photographer and co-founder of Harbury e-Wheels