Some of the district’s business and community green advocates returned to the spotlight to be thanked for their work in creating a more sustainable future.
The four were speakers at last year’s successful Sustainable Futures Forum which brought together more than 100 people to discuss creating an eco-friendlier environment for the district and to gain inspiration from existing projects and initiatives.
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 Folkestone & Hythe District Council.
As part of the event, eight people who had benefited from a coaching programme funded by our Climate Reserve fund, 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.
A grant award was open to all the speakers who took part and who worked together to put forward five applications, of which four speakers were awarded funds to move forward with their ideas.
A Folkestone & Hythe District Council spokesperson said: “Sustainable ideas for a net-zero future have been at the forefront for how we want to shape the district going forward, while we work alongside our local communities.
“These speakers played a core role at the event and we wanted to meet and thank them for helping to drive towards a greener future with us.”
Between the talks at the forum 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.
Liu Batchelor added: “It was wonderful to see just how many people there are locally all actively participating in climate action, and to be able to provide the opportunity for them for learning and collaboration makes me excited for what we can achieve together as a community.”
Last year’s Sustainable Futures Forum event can be viewed through this link here https://sustainablefuturesforum.com/watch/
The CI Lab members assisted the council in producing the District Wide Carbon Plan. This was open for public consultation last year and the comments on the suggested ways of reducing carbon emissions across the district are currently being drawn together.
If you'd like more information, or to join the CI-Lab, please email climate@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk
Pictured above left to right are: Sandgate Community Compost leader Leonie Wootton, Pickup for the Planet leader India Pearson and Kent Food Hubs leader Beckie Alves