In September 2023, the Surrey Climate Commission organised a speaker event in Leatherhead to discuss the systemic challenges of addressing climate change. Since then they’ve been looking at ways to put the ideas raised into practice. This blog by SCC’s Paula Gilbert describes the next steps
Welcome to our latest update on the exciting journey here at Surrey Climate Commission! It all began just 18 months ago, over a coffee among three of us, wondering how we could engage the people of Surrey – a county also notable for being home to many influencers and multinational HQs – on the pressing issue of climate change.
Fuelled by Caffeine
Our Chair Richard Essex, Co-ordinator Jacquetta Fewster, and I wondered if large-scale local engagement could spur grassroots change. We’re members of the Surrey Climate Commission, one of nine climate commissions across the UK, alongside others in Leeds, Belfast, and Edinburgh. We’re also a Community Interest Group, dedicated to creating impactful, place-based change. Looking to follow a systems-thinking approach, we began to draft a plan that felt ambitious yet necessary. Encouraged by caffeine and pastries, we began making calls.
Building the Team
The response was overwhelming. Key sustainability players in Surrey like Chris Hyde, Cat Reeby, Pat Smith, Paul Street, David Cope, and Petra Todd joined our steering group, volunteering their time and expertise. We approached and met with the Institute for Sustainability at the University of Surrey, who were keen to support our vision of a deliberative democratic event focused on climate change. They then drew in some sharp minds from the Department of Politics.
First Steps: A Successful Event
Our journey kicked off with a large-scale speaking event in September 2023 at the Leatherhead Theatre. “What’s Stopping Us Stopping Climate Change” featured speakers like Natalie Bennett, Lord Deben, and Ed Straw, who engaged in a lively debate on the systemic challenges of addressing climate change. The event was a big success, laying the groundwork for our next steps. Thank you to all SECA members who attended, you can read about the event here.
Engaging the Community
Then on 12 June this year we held a workshop to harness local engagement and seek direction on next steps. Representatives from the private sector, County, Borough and District Councils, the Third Sector and various community groups joined us – about 70 people in total. We explored ideas for transforming Surrey into a place where both people and nature thrive, using the Doughnut Economics Action Lab approach. Speakers and volunteers from Surrey Climate Commission, the Institute for Sustainability, Zero Carbon Guildford and Surrey County Council contributed significantly to the discussion.
Moving Forward
After the event some text messages flew round the steering group:
“Our workshop went brilliantly… really excellent feedback. Now the hard work begins.”
“It seemed like a great success. There was excellent support from the Institute for Sustainability and Surrey County Council.”
And it seemed participants were equally keen. After the workshop, participants were asked to write three words to describe how they felt; the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Among the most common responses were, “inspired”, “optimistic” and “empowered”.
We’re now analysing the feedback to define our next steps. Local decision-making will guide us towards our provisional plan for a series of ‘Mini Publics’ across Surrey, aimed at ‘lighting fires locally’. We envision these as accessible, interactive and purposeful events, building towards a possible Surrey-wide consultative assembly.
Get Involved!
Interested in joining us on this journey? You can watch video highlights from our 12 June workshop here. Please stay tuned for updates or contact us if you’d like to get involved, especially if you have experience in facilitation or related areas: info@surreyclimate.org.uk.
Thank you for your continued support!