COPtober call to ‘do something’
Royal Borough: Sustainability events organised to tie in with international summit
A series of green events will be taking place across the Royal Borough over the next four weeks to highlight the climate emergency and what people can do to improve their carbon footprint.
Environmental groups are joining forces this autumn in a period dubbed ‘COPtober’, where residents can learn more about issues.
From Saturday until November 13, there will be advice on planting trees and draughtproofing your home, as well as the opportunity to visit repair cafe events and watch environmental films.
Dave Scarbrough set up an independent group called The RBWM Climate Community as he felt more emphasis needed to be paid to the climate in the borough,
with other groups addressing similar, yet separate, issues such as biodiversity.
More than 700 residents from various green groups are taking part in COPtober, including Filling Good and the Wilds.
The period also coincides with COP26 – the United Nations Climate Change summit being held in Glasgow between October 31 and November 12.
“I think most people understand that there is a climate emergency,” Dave said.
“We all need to do something, and we all can do something.
“That is one of the things we want to explain to people.
“There is still lots to do, particularly on the energy side, and we do need more things happening.
“We need urgency – people are working hard but we need more.”
He added: “Our objective is to enthuse everyone to reduce their carbon footprint by 10 per cent each year. That does not sound a lot and is something we can easily do.
“Our stall in [Maidenhead] high street [on November 6] will try to help people understand all the different things they can do.”
Dave said that the main problem facing the borough is air quality – and he wants more education around issues such as parents idling outside of schools at pick-up and drop-off times.
“Both schools and pupils are well aware of the problem and they are educating the children very well,” he said.
The arrival of
COPtober also coincides with the Royal Borough’s cabinet agreeing to establish a ‘Climate Partnership’.
The initiative will bring together private and public sector organisations, as well as community groups, to oversee the delivery of the council’s Environment and Climate Strategy, which was adopted in December and sets out the council's vision to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Member organisations will be spread across the strategy’s four themes: energy, circular economy, natural environment, and transport.
Work to set up the partnership will begin now with an intention to have the group in place close to the start of the next financial year.
Councillor Donna Stimson (Con, St Mary’s), cabinet member for climate change, said: “The Climate Partnership is an exciting step forward, and I urge anyone with an interest in climate and the environment to join.”
Email sustainability@ rbwm.gov.uk for membership inquiries.
For more on Dave’s group and COPtober, search for RBWM Climate Community on Facebook.