{"id":26372,"date":"2021-09-07T11:00:48","date_gmt":"2021-09-07T10:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.powertochange.org.uk\/?p=26372"},"modified":"2021-09-08T12:34:26","modified_gmt":"2021-09-08T11:34:26","slug":"getting-to-grips-with-community-climate-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.powertochange.org.uk\/news\/getting-to-grips-with-community-climate-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting to grips with community climate action"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.22&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;||12px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.27.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Community energy<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Analysis of our existing data suggests Power to Change is already one of the largest funders of climate action grants in the UK.<\/p>\n<p>Our community energy initiatives include backing Community Owned Renewable Energy (CORE) Partners, alongside Big Society Capital and Finance Earth: bringing solar farms into community ownership that deliver lasting community benefit.<\/p>\n<p>Through our Next Generation programme, we are also supporting 11 community energy groups to develop and test innovative business models including electric vehicles charge points and renewable heat, all whilst engaging with the local community about energy production and climate action.<\/p>\n<p>Not sure what community energy is?<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What is Community Energy?\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2b1SYFk6Jyg?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>What next?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Power to Change recognises that the climate and nature crisis is a serious risk to the pursuit of our charitable aims. As a foundation, we have an important part to play in supporting community businesses to adapt and mitigate to its effects, and help them to harness the huge new market opportunities.<\/p>\n<p>So where do we begin when thinking about how to tackle climate change at a local level?<\/p>\n<p>We go back to the communities themselves, and begin with engagement, encouraging conversations about climate change and how it is affecting people at a local level.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.10.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||3px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.10.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.10.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_testimonial author=&#8221;Power to Change grantee&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.10.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; body_font=&#8221;GT Super||||||||&#8221; body_text_color=&#8221;#0378B5&#8243; body_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; author_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; author_text_color=&#8221;#4B40FB&#8221; author_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; max_width=&#8221;800px&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun SCXW198425271 BCX0\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW198425271 BCX0\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW198425271 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">&#8220;\u201cWe believe that climate injustice goes hand in hand with social injustice and that caring for the planet provides a huge opportunity to care for ourselves and our communities<span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.10.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.10.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.10.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.10.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>67% of community businesses are located in parts of the country where social and economic inequalities are rising (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.powertochange.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Power-to-Change-strategy-2021-2025.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Power to Change strategy 2021-25<\/a>.) The climate crisis is a \u2018threat multiplier\u2019 that exacerbates existing local issues such as air quality or food poverty and creates new injustices such as exposure to extreme weather, disproportionately impacting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrf.org.uk\/report\/climate-change-and-social-justice-evidence-review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">low income and other marginalised communities<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>We believe that the climate crisis is the biggest risk to developing resilient places that are better to live and work in for everyone. But even in crisis, there is opportunity\u2026 and hope.<\/p>\n<p>Community businesses, with their unique combination of community engagement and local ownership and delivery are well placed to accelerate community climate action, as localised activities have been shown to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ippr.org\/research\/publications\/the-climate-commons\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">build momentum and mobilise<\/a> more people to get involved.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Educating ourselves<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>To understand what can be done, our entire team has taken <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aimhi.earth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AimHi<\/a>\u2019s Climate and Sustainability Leadership programme. We are committed to building the knowledge of the team, particularly around the key causes and solutions of the climate crisis, and now we want to offer this opportunity to the community business sector.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Want to find out more? <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Join us for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.co.uk\/e\/climate-sustainability-leadership-course-for-community-business-tickets-163495803349\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>free Climate and Sustainability Leadership Course<\/strong><\/a>, designed for the community business sector.<\/p>\n<p>Hosted by Power to Change and delivered by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aimhi.earth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AimHi<\/a>, this solutions-focused, live and interactive 5-part course will be running free for the community business sector during Great Big Green Week, starting Monday 20 September \u2013 Thursday 23 September (every evening at 5.30pm \u2013 6.30pm), with the final session coinciding with COP26 on Monday 8 November.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>What is the course about?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Bringing together the expertise of top-level scientists, educators, behavioural psychologists and expert communicators, alongside the community businesses that are delivering local solutions on the ground, you will come away with a solid understanding of the key climate concepts and the transforming landscape in which community businesses operate, as well as a toolkit of solutions and communication skills.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Stay tuned\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>We will be announcing more events, and information about how we intend to encourage community climate action.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Want to know more?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Get in touch today.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.10.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.10.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.powertochange.org.uk\/about-us\/contact\/&#8221; button_text=&#8221;Contact us&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.10.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At Power to Change, our mission is to strengthen community businesses to tackle some of society\u2019s biggest challenges at a local level, including climate change.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":15411,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<h3><strong>Community energy<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nAnalysis of our existing data suggests Power to Change is already one of the largest funders of climate action grants in the UK.\r\n\r\nOur community energy initiatives include backing Community Owned Renewable Energy (CORE) Partners, alongside Big Society Capital and Finance Earth: bringing solar farms into community ownership that deliver lasting community benefit.\r\n\r\nThrough our Next Generation programme, we are also supporting 11 community energy groups to develop and test innovative business models including electric vehicles charge points and renewable heat, all whilst engaging with the local community about energy production and climate action.\r\n\r\nNot sure what community energy is?\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2b1SYFk6Jyg\r\n<h3><strong>What next?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nPower to Change recognises that the climate and nature crisis is a serious risk to the pursuit of our charitable aims. As a foundation, we have an important part to play in supporting community businesses to adapt and mitigate to its effects, and help them to harness the huge new market opportunities.\r\n\r\nSo where do we begin when thinking about how to tackle climate change at a local level?\r\n\r\nWe go back to the communities themselves, and begin with engagement, encouraging conversations about climate change and how it is affecting people at a local level.\r\n<blockquote>\u201cWe believe that climate injustice goes hand in hand with social injustice and that caring for the planet provides a huge opportunity to care for ourselves and our communities\u201d.<\/blockquote>\r\n- Power to Change grantee\r\n\r\n67% of community businesses are located in parts of the country where social and economic inequalities are rising (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.powertochange.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Power-to-Change-strategy-2021-2025.pdf\">Power to Change Strategy 2021-25<\/a>.) The climate crisis is a \u2018threat multiplier\u2019 that exacerbates existing local issues such as air quality or food poverty and creates new injustices such as exposure to extreme weather, disproportionately impacting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrf.org.uk\/report\/climate-change-and-social-justice-evidence-review\">low income and other marginalised communities<\/a>.\r\n\r\nWe believe that the climate crisis is the biggest risk to developing resilient places that are better to live and work in for everyone. But even in crisis, there is opportunity\u2026 and hope.\r\n\r\nCommunity businesses, with their unique combination of community engagement and local ownership and delivery are well placed to accelerate community climate action, as localised activities have been shown to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ippr.org\/research\/publications\/the-climate-commons\">build momentum and mobilise<\/a> more people to get involved.\r\n<h3><strong>Educating ourselves<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nTo understand what can be done, our entire team has taken AimHi\u2019s Climate and Sustainability Leadership programme. We are committed to building the knowledge of the team, particularly around the key causes and solutions of the climate crisis, and now we want to offer this opportunity to the community business sector.\r\n<h3><strong>Want to find out more? <\/strong><\/h3>\r\nJoin us for the <strong>free Climate and Sustainability Leadership Course<\/strong>, designed for the community business sector.\r\n\r\nHosted by Power to Change and delivered by AimHi, this solutions-focused, live and interactive 5-part course will be running free for the community business sector during Great Big Green Week, starting Monday 20 September \u2013 Thursday 23 September (every evening at 5.30pm \u2013 6.30pm).\r\n<h3><strong>What is the course about?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nBringing together the expertise of top-level scientists, educators, behavioural psychologists and expert communicators, alongside the community businesses that are delivering local solutions on the ground, you will come away with a solid understanding of the key climate concepts and the transforming landscape in which community businesses operate, as well as a toolkit of solutions and communication skills.\r\n<h3><strong>Stay tuned\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe will be announcing more events, and information about how we intend to encourage community climate action.\r\n<h3><strong>Want to know more?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nGet in touch today.","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[340],"tags":[338,350],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.powertochange.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26372"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.powertochange.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.powertochange.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.powertochange.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.powertochange.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26372"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.powertochange.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26372\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.powertochange.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15411"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.powertochange.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26372"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.powertochange.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26372"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.powertochange.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26372"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}