Local representatives have got together to form a Carbon Innovation Laboratory (CI-Lab) so that actions can be developed and delivered to reduce district carbon emissions.
Folkestone & Hythe District Council (F&HDC) hosted the initial meeting of representatives from communities, businesses, educators and special interest groups where the CI-Lab was created. The group recognised that reducing carbon emissions is vital for all our futures and can only be achieved when we all work together and take concerted actions.
The new CI-Lab has been created as an informal voluntary forum to drive forward local action to reduce carbon emissions in the district. The aim of the CI-Lab is a collaborative and community-led forum, supported by the council, where ideas are exchanged, plans created and local actions are delivered.
Over the coming months the CI-Lab will meet regularly to develop and to take the actions that will make a difference. The community representatives will define the projects that are important to the local community and lead the implementation with support from the group.
For more information or if you have a project that will help reduce our carbon emissions please email: Climate@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk
Folkestone & Hythe Sustainable Futures Forum
Inspiring projects and initiatives aimed at creating a more sustainable future were the focus of a packed event in Folkestone on Saturday 29 April 2023.
More than 100 people attended from business and community backgrounds and the event was facilitated by consultant Liu Batchelor.
The idea for the forum came from the Carbon Innovation Lab (CI Lab), a voluntary, informal community group set up with support from the council.
As part of the event eight people, who had benefited from a coaching programme, delivered ‘TEDx-style’ presentations on their initiatives. They talked about their projects to reduce food waste, undertake coastal and river clean-ups, promote sustainability for low-income families, create local food networks and reuse construction waste.
Between the speakers there were round table discussions on topics including collaborating through volunteering and business partnerships, accessing community support and funding, and learning about barriers to change and possible solutions.
The event can be viewed through this link https://sustainablefuturesforum.com/watch/
If you'd like more information, or to join the CI-Lab, please email Climate@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk