Community led Climate Action

So here at the Climate Action Hub we talk a lot about community led climate action, in fact, it’s what we were set up to support, but what exactly is climate action, and why is it important that communities get involved?

What is Climate Action?
Climate action is essentially any activity that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and subsequently makes positive contributions towards reducing climate change.

Why is it important that Communities get involved with Climate action projects?
Communities being involved is important for several reasons:
If you think about some of the key needs of your communities, they might include things like social inclusion, mental and physical wellbeing, food security, fuel security and equality. Community led climate action takes many forms and can help to address these, and other community needs. For these examples, some climate action projects that aid in addressing them include things like community growing, community larders, renewable energy and tool libraries. Fortunately for us in the Highlands and Islands, we are home to a variety of these kinds of projects. In some cases, community groups may even have projects like these underway that they don’t immediately associate with climate action. Community groups are perfectly placed to identify the particular needs of their communities and tailor their climate action projects to address them.

Communities are also an important facet of the fight against climate change because community led climate action projects tend to be accessible and inclusive, anyone should be able to get involved and contribute towards combatting the climate emergency. Many people have a sense of climate anxiety around the primarily negative news and information they receive regarding climate change, providing a community project will allow people to alleviate anxiety and gain satisfaction in being involved as part of the solution rather than the problem. They are also well placed to influence the mindset and lifestyle of individuals, providing a catalyst to share knowledge, information and skills needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Finally, the Scottish Government has ambitions to achieve net zero by 2045 and strives to do so in a just transition. Communities are well placed to ensure that their localised projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions provide inclusivity and benefits to the local populations and ensure that the transition to net zero is a just transition. Community led climate action doesn’t need to have a single focus on combatting the climate emergency, projects can be tailored to address both climate change and the needs of your particular community.

So, what needs does your particular community have and how can a climate action project help?
If you’re interested in developing a climate action project, or embedding climate action in a project to address another community need and need a hand, feel free to contact us.