On Monday 18th November, our college hosted a climate assembly run by Nottingham Green Partnerships. A wide range of local people were invited to attend and be representatives of Nottingham with the task to voice concerns and share ideas for a greener and more sustainable future for the city.
Nottingham Green Partnership and Nottingham City Council are co-sponsors of the city-wide ambition for Nottingham to become Carbon Neutral by 2028, ahead of any other city.
During the Climate Assembly, Sally Longford, Vice chair of Nottingham Green Partnership, officially launched a crowdfunding appeal with a target of £20,000. Up till now, the work on the assemblies has been volunteer lead, but a larger assembly needs proper finance and organisation. Raising this money will help give a wider audience the chance to support, have a voice and get involved in the Climate Assembly, which they hope to hold next year.
As part of the crowdfunder, Nottingham College have already made a pledge to help the Climate Assembly reach their target, allowing them to provide a platform where more people can raise their concerns for the planet's future and share ideas for a more sustainable world.
Sally Longford, Vice chair of Nottingham Green Partnership, said: “People from lower income households, some of them will need financial support to allow them to participate. And the aim of the crowdfund is to help break down barriers to taking part, giving more people a voice.
“Nottingham Climate Assembly, as a not-for-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers, has been running many climate centres around the city and community groups and events in workplaces, schools and colleges to facilitate conversations about what needs to happen and how we can all make a difference.
“These have led to really positive outcomes, with new collaborations taking place and practical solutions to local issues. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank all the people who've got us to this point, particularly Nottingham Climate Assembly Volunteers. Everybody who's been involved in making this, the videos, the crowdfunder, which is fantastic, including our hosts here today at Nottingham College.”
Matt Bunn, Sustainable Colleges Lead, said: “The Nottingham Climate Assembly is a fantastic way to capture the voice of the people of the city. The idea is to hopefully help to formulate policies that will aid our city, country and world to become a more liveable and safer place.
“The college has sponsored this important project and will continue to support in any ways that we can. A crowdfunder is being launched to hopefully help this project over the line.”
