Furness residents and businesses are urged to join a local climate conference in the run-up to the UN Climate Conference taking place in Glasgow.
Barrow and Furness MP Simon Fell will host the conference next month to gather local ideas and feed them into the Government.
He has called on local people to join the event from 3 pm on Thursday October 14, in the Ante Room at The Forum on Duke Street in Barrow.
This year, at the UN Climate Conference (UNFCCC COP26), the UK will assemble global partners to negotiate the next stages of implementing the Paris Agreement and encourage other countries to commit to stronger action on climate change.
Mr Fell said: “The UK is in prime position to be a world leader in climate action, as we take further steps to reduce our own emissions at home and persuade other countries to accelerate climate action ahead of the Glasgow conference.
“Climate change is a huge threat to our economy and national security, and we know we need to bring everyone with us and harness the best ideas from all parts of society if we are going to tackle it effectively.
“That’s why I’m hosting the Furness Local Climate Summit to discuss some of the key issues and decisions related to climate change, to hear from experts and local campaigners, and to gather the views and priorities of local residents.
“I know that many voluntary groups in Furness are already doing their bit locally to address climate change, and I hope this summit will be an opportunity to showcase some of their excellent work, alongside some of our pioneering local businesses in the low-economy, that are developing climate solutions and creating green-collar jobs.
“After the summit, I will send a summary of our conversations to the COP26 President – Alok Sharma MP – and ask him to consider them as part of the UK’s strategy for Glasgow. I know that the people of Barrow and Furness care passionately about climate change and so I hope that this summit can help the government’s efforts to address it.”
In an attempt to encourage more participation and engagement in our national mission to reach net zero emissions by 2050, the local summit hopes to engage individuals, businesses and civil society groups across Barrow and Furness, and across the political spectrum.
The conference will prioritise showcasing opportunities for British businesses (such as our world-leading offshore wind sector), active travel and the transition to zero-carbon transport, and long term green energy solutions.
The local MP is also inviting people to take part in an essay writing competition.
Residents should submit an essay of no more than 450 words via www.simonfell.org/localclimatesummit , by dropping off their entries by hand to the MP’s Barrow office at 132 Cavendish Street, or by emailing [email protected] by 4 pm on October 7. The topics to write about include Green Energy Solutions or Sustainable Transport Solutions.
Share your concerns and ideas about the environment by joining in the discussions at The Forum on Thursday October 14 from 3pm. Tickets are limited in number and free, with priority for local people.
You can register your interest via www.simonfell.org/local-climate-summit
