On day one participants were introduced to what a Citizens’ Climate Assembly is. They also heard from a range of speakers about the work already underway to tackle the climate emergency. Participants then heard about the barriers to tackling climate action in three themes:
- My Westminster, as a place
- My Community, local areas and neighbourhoods
- My Home, homes and individual behaviours
The focus of the assembly is to explore the important question:
- How can we overcome the main barriers to Westminster becoming a net zero city by 2040 together and how do we ensure this is delivered in the fairest way?
Purpose of day one
To ensure participants:
- are comfortable and understand what is expected of them
- understand the assembly process and why it has been established
- understand the basics of climate change and the wider challenges it presents
- understand Westminster’s context and the work we have already started
- are aware of some of the main barriers that need to be navigated to deliver on our net zero goals.
Welcome
Cllr Matt Noble, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Regeneration and Renters for Westminster City Council, set out the importance of the climate agenda, outlined the process of the assembly, and set out some of the key barriers for climate action. He thanked participants for their involvement in helping to address climate change in Westminster. Watch Cllr Noble's introduction to the assembly.
Cllr Noble said:
By hosting a Citizens' Climate Assembly, we can bring together diverse voices and perspectives from all across Westminster which is crucial to overcoming the challenges to reaching net zero by 2040, in the fairest way.
Professor Dibyesh Anand, Head of the School of Social Sciences at the University of Westminster, expressed gratitude for hosting the Westminster Citizens’ Climate Assembly at the University of Westminster. He also spoke about the work the university is doing to tackle the climate crisis with a focus on fairness and equality. Watch Professor Dibyesh Anand's talk.
Activities
To start the assembly off, participants worked with one another to identify guidelines for their ways of working. They focused on how they could create an environment for collaboration and conversation.
A second activity was used to establish whether individuals were a 'driver', 'analytical', 'amiable', or 'expressive' person. They then explored how their differences affected their critical thinking.
Talks
Dr Robin Lamboll, Research Associate, Grantham Institute, Imperial College London
Robin delivered a presentation about the science behind climate change. This showed the wider challenges it presents globally and within the UK. Watch Dr Robin Lamboll's talk.
Dr Amy Jones, Director for Environment, Westminster City Council
Amy introduced participants to the journey Westminster City Council has been on so far since declaring a Climate Emergency in 2019. Dr Amy Jones then introduced the question and remit of the assembly. Watch Dr Amy Jones's talk.
After the two talks participants asked Cllr Matt Noble, Dr Robin Lamboll and Dr Amy Jones questions. Watch the Q&A session.
Speaker carousel
Participants were joined by several speakers who took part in a speaker carousel activity. This provided an opportunity for small group conversations with guest speakers. They spoke about some of the issues with delivering climate action through the themes of My Westminster, My Community and My Home. Watch the speakers introduce themselves.
Speakers by the three themes were:
My Westminster
- Sara Edmonds, Studio search
- Dr Mark Smithies, Westminster Cycling Campaign
My Community
- Beatrice Liese, Groundwork UK
- Jonathan Rosenberg, Paddington Development Trust
- Inge Lyngborg, Clean Air Bayswater
My Home
- Josie Evetts, Parity Projects
- Warren Hatter, With the Grain
Final activity
Participants worked with their table facilitators to list a range of barriers identified through the speaker carousel, and through their own perspective. Participants moved to other tables to see what other groups had identified and drew connections between them.
Wrap up and close
Attendees considered what they had learnt and what had inspired them. They also identified something they will do as a result of their participation.
Published: 27 June 2023