A Brighton and Hove Climate Charter
The Brighton and Hove Climate Charter is an initiative by Gavin Barker. We share it here without specific institutional endorsement, to stimulate debate. To contribute to improved wording, or in other ways, see Gavin’s note at the end.
A Brighton and Hove Climate Charter
A guiding set of principles that we ask Brighton and Hove Council
MPs from all parties, and citizens to sign up to
Climate change and the biodiversity emergency are the greatest challenges we face and will profoundly reshape the economy and future wellbeing of all those living in Brighton and Hove.
Given the scale and urgency of these twin challenges, we have no time to lose. We therefore call on our elected MPs and councillors from all parties, and on all citizens, to come together and commit to the following guiding principles in all the work we do.
Guiding principles:
Put nature recovery at the heart of all we do. Work with a local and central government policy agenda to promote a strong and diverse natural environment. This is both our strongest defence against climate change and the foundation of a functioning economy.
Reduce our carbon footprint to net zero by 2050. Shift to renewable energy sources, improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions from transportation, green our urban environment, change consumption patterns, recycle.
Prepare and adapt to a changing climate. Work with local businesses and communities at both the neighbourhood and city wide level to prepare for the disruptive effects of climate change. Build flood defences, set up early warning systems, change business operations, and work with the farming community to switch to drought resistant crops.
Respect environmental limits. Work with community groups and key stakeholders across the business and public sectors. Assess the long term impact of decisions and the importance of reducing emissions, building resilience, and preserving our natural environment.
Work for a just transition. Address the gross inequalities present in our city. The benefits of a green economy must be shared widely, while also supporting those who stand to lose economically.
Ensure all spending and investment decisions are aligned with the net zero target. This includes £4.7 billion East Sussex Pension Funds of which Brighton and Hove Council is a member.
Co-design policy at every level. Seek out the groups targeted by a particular policy. Create formal and informal means of public participation from the beginning, and make sure the public is involved in each step of the process. Include measures which address the concerns of those adversely affected. Ensure the highest level of transparency throughout the process.
Strengthen community participation and resilience. Work with communities to nurture new forms of self-help enterprise, mutual aid and neighbourhood democracy in order to better prepare for a changing climate and the environmental risks involved.
Restore power where it rightly belongs, with local people and communities. It is local communities across the land which will be on the frontline of climate change. Reverse the over-centralisation of power at Westminster; equip Brighton and Hove Council with the power and resources it needs; and enable local people and communities to have a direct say over the difficult decisions that will have to be taken to adapt to a changing climate.
This charter should be seen as a living document
To that end, we urge elected councillors and MPs to give an account of themselves at an annual open public meeting, setting out how they have aligned their work with the guiding principles of the charter
The public meeting to be combined with a family-friendly ‘climate roadshow’, which brings together schools, the Youth Climate Assembly, faith organisations, businesses, the Universities, Brighton Metropolitan College, the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sectors, the farming community, and other community groups, each with their own tables and stalls advertising what they do and how their work aligns with the principles of the charter. Themed breakout rooms to offer workshops, a children’s creche as well as discussion topics which allow members of the public to engage their elected representatives on more specific issues.
If anyone is interested in an open public meeting to discuss this, please contact me. I will then get back with a date and location. In the meantime please feel free to leave a comment - or write to me at gavinbark@gmail.com.
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Gavin Barker
Perspective pieces are the responsibility of the authors, and do not commit Climate:Change in any way. Guest posts are published to explore issues or stimulate debate. Comments are welcome.