Community business and climate action

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Scoping and analysing community business’ role in the transition to a fairer, greener economy 

Over the past six years, Power to Change has become one of the largest funders of community climate action in England, with over £25m of funding and investment supporting climate action in more than 450 community businesses.  

To ensure Power to Change’s work is underpinned by robust evidence, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and Locality were commissioned to scope and analyse community business’ role in the transition to a fairer, greener economy.  

This research aims to generate insights into the benefits, barriers, opportunities and potential of community business-led approaches. It builds upon existing climate action research, including independent evaluation findings from Power to Change’s Next Generation programme, and will inform how Power to Change supports community businesses to take climate action. 

This work includes practical resources on viable climate action pathways and case studies on community-led business approaches. 

Read the Executive Summary 

Type

Topic

The key facts

Community work IS climate work

even if its not intentional/the primary focus

Provide ‘whole system’ climate benefits

i.e. the transition of the whole economy towards net zero – not just about community energy but transport, agriculture, land, circular economy

Vital to a fairer, greener future

With the right support and enabling conditions to thrive, community businesses can help build resilient communities and public and political support for a just transition to net zero