Published: Wednesday, 7th September 2022
Published on behalf of Norfolk Climate Change Partnership.
New ideas and solutions for tackling climate change and creating a sustainable future for Norfolk are set to be discussed at a conference taking place this September.
The event, which will be held at the King’s Centre in Norwich on 23 September, will showcase the findings of two innovative studies that have been commissioned by Norfolk Climate Change Partnership.
A number of free tickets are being made available for the event for members of the public who want to find out more about the potential to tackle climate change and deliver sustainable solutions across the county.
The event is likely to be of particular interest to parish councils, community groups, and businesses and places can be reserved here: https://bit.ly/3THcMDz
At the event, information, and ideas for how Norfolk communities can work together and deliver clean energy innovations will be discussed. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions to the expert consultants in the room.
Cllr Ian Sherwood from Breckland Council and spokesperson for the Norfolk Climate Change Partnership Portfolio Holder Group said:
“We are committed to working collaboratively to tackle climate change, carrying out research, sharing knowledge, and identifying ways to make a difference.
“This conference is the culmination of two significant and innovative projects which will provide us with invaluable knowledge and insight in our work around climate change and sustainability.”
At the event, the findings of the two studies will be showcased, including a project that has identified ideas and opportunities to provide sustainable energy collaboratively within communities in Norfolk.
The community energy kickstarter project, conducted by Net Zero East, saw research carried out around land use, transport, and infrastructure in eight locations across Norfolk to identify community-based actions - such as solar energy and alternative heating – that could make a difference.
The study was also shaped by feedback from the public after a webinar was held in June inviting people to share their thoughts, ideas, and suggestions to inform potential sustainable community energy options for Norfolk.
Andy Holyland from Net Zero East said:
“Our research has provided us with a fantastic insight into the potential for communities to develop shared energy solutions.
“There is definitely scope for communities, local authorities, and other key influencers to work together to deliver sustainable energy across Norfolk and we would invite people to join us at the conference and find out how they can make a difference.”
In addition, the findings from a project that looked at ways to make refuse collection journeys across the county more environmentally friendly will also be shared at the event.
The research, the first of its kind for Norfolk, was carried out by strategic engineering and environmental consultancy Ricardo and looked at innovation and opportunities to decarbonise transport with hydrogen. The project looked closer at the potential for refuse collection vehicles to be first movers to kickstart the local hydrogen economy.
The study focused on case studies in Snetterton, Great Yarmouth, and South Norfolk but the learning can be applied across Norfolk, and the findings could also be particularly useful for companies and businesses operating within the transport sector.
Alec Davies from Ricardo commented:
“This project has allowed us to gain an understanding into the possibility of decarbonising refuse collections - an essential service - across the county.
“The knowledge that we have gained can also be applicable for private companies with heavy vehicles facing their own decarbonisation challenge.”
Both the projects have been funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund and have been delivered on behalf of the Norfolk Climate Change Partnership.
The partnership brings together all the county’s local authorities, the Broads Authority, the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, the Norfolk Strategic Planning Framework Member Forum, and the University of East Anglia.
*Tickets for the conference are free but limited, and anyone wishing to book their place can do so here: https://bit.ly/3THcMDz
About the Norfolk Climate Change Partnership
The Norfolk Climate Change Partnership was established on the 6th January 2020.
The aim of this partnership is to help develop Norfolk into an exemplar in tackling climate change and protecting and enhancing its natural environment. Members are Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, Breckland Council, Broadland Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Norfolk County Council, North Norfolk District Council, Norwich City Council, South Norfolk Council, the Broads Authority, the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, the Norfolk Strategic Planning Framework Member Forum, and the University of East Anglia.
The Norfolk Climate Change Partnership will share knowledge and practises, regarding how local authorities can respond to climate change, as well as how the Norfolk Climate Change Partnership can influence climate change in Norfolk as a whole.
The Norfolk Climate Change Partnership has a shared interest in supporting Norfolk’s authorities, communities, public, voluntary and community organisations, businesses, and residents to reduce their carbon emissions, realise economic benefits of reducing utilities consumption and adapt to and mitigate against the future impacts of climate change.