We were proud to host the launch of Nottingham's Environment and Climate Assembly Manifesto at our City Hub campus on 23 July, bringing together residents, climate advocates and city leaders to celebrate a shared vision for a greener future.
The manifesto is the culmination of more than two years of citizen-led engagement. Over two days in May, 57 Nottingham residents, selected from more than 600 applicants, came together to discuss and shape their priorities for the city's environmental future. The result is a manifesto created by Nottingham people, for Nottingham people.
The document outlines an ambitious vision for Nottingham, including cleaner air and waterways, thriving neighbourhoods, more accessible green spaces and safer, more sustainable ways to travel.
Recommendations cover key areas such as buildings and energy, food and health, nature, transport, skills, waste and water. Ideas include improving energy efficiency in buildings, supporting community food growing, creating wildlife corridors, expanding recycling and repair schemes, and developing green hubs across the city.
At the launch party event, city leaders and decision-makers were invited to hear the priorities identified by residents and consider how the manifesto's recommendations can be translated into action. A key theme of the event was the need for ongoing collaboration between communities, organisations and public bodies to ensure the ideas outlined by residents become a reality.
As a college committed to sustainability and supporting positive change in our communities, Nottingham College was delighted to provide the venue for this important event and help showcase the voices of local people shaping Nottingham's environmental future.
Councillor Sam Lux, Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability, Nottingham City Council, said: "It has never been more apparent that we are living in the midst of a climate crisis. Now is our last chance to act. If we don’t do so in accordance with the will of Nottingham people, we aren’t going to succeed.”
Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East, said: “Getting people from different backgrounds together to talk about the environmental emergency we are facing is vitally important, which is why I am so pleased at the success of the Nottingham Climate and Nature Assembly.
“The proposals it has drawn up will now help steer local decision-makers, providing vital input from residents about what a sustainable future for our city should look like.”
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “This manifesto shows what can happen when local people are trusted to shape the future of their city. It is ambitious, practical and rooted in the pride Nottingham people have in the place they call home.
“I am proud to support the Nottingham Climate Assembly because lasting change happens when communities are involved from the start. My £9.9m investment in domestic retrofit alongside investing millions in cycling and walking improvements across the city reflects that same commitment to creating greener, healthier places that put people, nature and opportunity at the heart of regeneration.
“By listening to local people and turning good ideas into action, we can tackle the climate challenge while building a stronger, fairer Nottingham for future generations.”
Nottingham College Sustainability Lead Matt Bunn said, “The Climate Assembly has been a momentous and powerful event and to hold the launch of the manifesto in a packed Fletchers theatre was heartwarming. It placed the college in a central position for our city and our communities, in line with our recently launched strategic plan. Hopefully, this event will go some way in affecting policy, with the council and EMCA Mayor on board and will have positive outcomes for all.”
Organised by the Nottingham Climate Assembly and sponsored by the Nottingham Green Partnership, the city’s first climate assembly was funded by the Mayor of the East Midlands and environmentally conscious local organisations and individuals through a Crowdfunder.
To find out more go to www.nottinghamclimateassembly.co.uk. The full manifesto will be available soon.
Photographs by Eli Gayton @eli_gayton
