Unlocking Change: Empowering Communities to Tackle the Climate Crisis

The climate crisis is not a distant problem that can be postponed or ignored. It is happening now, and it is affecting millions of lives and ecosystems around the world. Waiting for political decisions is a luxury we simply cannot afford; we must foster a groundswell of urgent change instead.

The UK Government is falling short of its climate targets, and even the Scottish Government, which had some of the most ambitious climate legislation in the world, has recently scaled back its emissions reduction goals.

Besides, politicians are not trusted: according to Ipsos, only nine per cent of British people trust politicians to be truthful; they are at the bottom of the pile, trusted less than estate agents, journalists and advertising executives.

This white paper argues that we must instead turn our attention to grassroots action, building communities that are empowered to drive change from the ground up.

These communities can serve as powerful catalysts for behavioural change and collective action. By mobilising public support and showcasing the imperative for climate action, they can exert pressure on governments to prioritise the issue and deliver meaningful commitments.

The white paper goes on to shows how local authorities can build resilient communities by incentivising and nurturing sustainable behaviours through tailored programmes.