Countdown to North Northants online climate change conference

08 November 2021

As the COP26 climate change conference begins its second week – North Northamptonshire Council is reminding people of its own virtual carbon zero conference – NNClimate21 – taking place soon.

NNClimate21 will showcase activities and opportunities in North Northants on key areas such as sustainable transport, renewable energy and environmental strategy – featuring local keynote speakers.

The conference will be virtual, taking place online to reduce the carbon footprint of the event. It will be broadcast live on YouTube with the aim of engaging with as many people locally as possible.

The Council is already progressing on carbon zero projects in North Northants and declared a climate and environment emergency at a meeting of the Full Council in July this year.

And only this week, North Northants was awarded almost £3million of government funding under the Community Renewal Fund for a series of projects to progress zero carbon initiatives, including the pioneering Electric Corby and for the green infrastructure feasibility study for the Greenway and River Ise.

We’re fully committed to reducing carbon emissions in North Northants both through what we do as an authority and also by playing a supporting role to help others achieve the same.

While a great deal of work has started and is progressing, we’re also aware that a lot more needs to be done if we are to reduce carbon emissions and help look after the planet.

However this cannot be achieved in isolation – we must work collaboratively to move towards this common goal and North Northamptonshire Council is willing to play its part in this.Cllr Harriet Pentland, the Council’s executive member for climate and the green environment

Work taking place so far includes progressing sustainable transport schemes; tree planting initiatives; and support for businesses and residents.

The Council is working with Voi Technology to roll out the availability of electric scooters in North Northants as well as progressing the availability of electric vehicle charging points throughout the local authority area.

In addition, the authority is developing local cycling walking infrastructure plans at localities including the segregated cycle way now underway in Kettering to encourage sustainable transport.

It is also supporting the Queen’s Green Canopy campaign which is encouraging people to plant a tree to mark the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession to the throne in 2022.

Moreover, the authority also plays a role in assisting residents in finding low-carbon ways of reducing their energy consumption and costs. North Northamptonshire Council runs a collective energy switch campaign, which uses 100% renewable sources as well as co-ordinating the Energy Company Obligation scheme locally, which aims to help reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty by improving the energy efficiency of homes occupied by low income, fuel poor and vulnerable households.

If we don’t tackle the issue of climate change in a meaningful way then this will make our other challenges even harder to overcome, whether this be increasing prosperity, finding efficient transport links or bringing communities together.

We will work together with Government and the people of North Northants so we will do everything within our power to work towards net zero.Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council

The conference will take place from 9.30am – 3.30pm on Tuesday November 16 and there will be three sessions held on the day on: The ‘Future of Energy’, ‘Sustainable Travel’ and the ‘Environment’.