Bradford, Manchester, Bristol, London and Birmingham host the first annual Energising Britain events, bringing together local leaders, businesses and communities to accelerate climate and
nature action.
Communities across England are coming together today (Monday 6 July) to showcase how local action is delivering cleaner energy, restoring nature and tackling climate change, as the government launches the first-ever Energising Britain events.
The inaugural series highlights how communities are already delivering the benefits of climate action – from generating clean, homegrown energy and reducing energy bills to improving local green spaces and creating healthier places to live.
As families and businesses prepare for what is forecast to be the third heatwave of the summer, the events will bring together more than 500 representatives from local government, businesses, community organisations, education, faith groups and the voluntary sector. The programme is designed to strengthen local partnerships, share practical solutions and ensure communities help shape the UK's journey to net zero.
The Minister for Climate, Katie White, opened the first Energising Britain event in Bradford at Bradford City FC. Speakers from the football club and Feversham Primary School will demonstrate how installing rooftop solar panels has helped cut energy costs while supporting the transition to clean power.
Later in Manchester, the Minister will open the afternoon session before a panel exploring the role of culture, young people and faith communities in climate action. Contributors include Liverpool FC, discussing how sport can engage large audiences on climate change; Youth Focus North West, highlighting how young people are inspiring action in their communities; and Carbon Co-op, sharing practical ways households can reduce energy costs.
In Bristol, discussions focus on how community-led climate and nature projects are improving lives locally. Sessions include the Creative Clean Power Pilot, which powers live events with renewable energy, alongside practical electrification projects, future energy systems and climate communication. Participants will also visit Bristol Harbour to see England's largest harbour-based water source heat pump and a floating ecosystem featuring more than 6,000 native aquatic plants and trees that support local wildlife.
In London, local partners are exploring how communities can help accelerate electrification across homes, buildings and transport, while Birmingham's programme focuses on how regional partnerships between local authorities, businesses, community groups and sector organisations can drive climate and nature action. Discussions will also examine how electrification can connect with rural communities, faith groups, culture, music and the arts.
The events are being delivered by the Local Net Zero Hubs, the national network of local partnerships that supports local authorities and the communities they serve to develop clean energy projects that deliver tangible benefits for local people.
By bringing together communities from across the country, Energising Britain aims to celebrate local leadership, share successful approaches and inspire further action to deliver cleaner energy, thriving nature and more resilient places for everyone. Photo by Brizzleboy, Wikimedia commons.
