Local Climate Engagement is a project by Involve that has successfully provided public engagement training and capacity-building support and to local authorities. In collaboration with a coalition of experts, since 2021 Involve has delivered mentoring, peer learning and hands-on support to stretched local authorities in England, helping them to reach and engage communities in climate action plans. The Foundation has contributed £250,000 to Involve over three years, alongside funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, aiming to support Involve’s mission to put people at the heart of climate decision making. 

Research shows that local authorities are well placed to reach communities, ensuring they are heard and that the transition to a net zero future is fair and tackles inequities and injustices. To date in England, nearly 300 of 343 councils have declared climate emergencies. Several have experimented with citizens’ assemblies or other deliberative and participatory methods to engage their local populations in the change that needs to happen – some are still working out their approach. There is an opportunity to build on this momentum and embed public engagement on climate change in English local government. This is an essential step to achieving the UK’s climate targets, and doing so in a way that is both fair and empowers communities to fulfil their potential.

There is also a need to manage risks presented by the rapid increase in local authority-led public engagement on climate change, including around quality, capacity and skills, and ensuring engagement is truly inclusive. By ensuring local authorities hear from, understand and work with those most at risk, the root causes of injustice can be addressed, and groups often left behind can help to shape councils’ strategies, policies and practice.

Involve’s Local Climate Engagement project is being delivered over two phases.

Phase 1: Pilot  

The first phase (2021-2023) aimed to better engage the public around climate decision-making to help ensure that the UK can reach its net zero target. Working with a network of 21 local authorities, the Local Climate Engagement project provided training to councillors in deploying deliberative and participatory methods, such as World Cafes, Future Search, Citizens’ Assemblies, Citizens’ Juries, Community Organising, and Crowdsourcing. The project also supported local authorities to execute climate action initiatives and communicate effectively about the value of public engagement.

The model has served as a prototype with the potential to be replicated internationally. The grant was a flagship project for the UK Branch’s previous Citizen Engagement on Climate programme.

 Phases 2: Scaling and influencing 

For Phase 2 (2024-2025), Involve has partnered with UK100, a network of over 100 local authorities who pledge for ambitious local climate action. Together they aim to equip local authorities in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland with the skills and resources needed to effectively engage their communities in climate action.

The Foundation is contributing £140,000 to help scale the Local Climate Engagement project as part of our current Climate and Ocean programme. This funding is being used to promote the lessons learned from Phase 1, develop training resources, and create a public engagement political toolkit. Through our continued investment, the Foundation aims to enhance the ability of local authorities in the UK and beyond to involve their residents in climate action, which aligns with our broader goal of fostering community-driven environmental change.

To date, Phase 2 has successfully delivered a campaign to share the insights from Phase 1, generating interest from additional local authorities and influential national bodies. Involve also delivered a roundtable event with key stakeholders to better understand the needs of local authorities across the UK. This will shape the development of tailored resources, including case studies, online training modules and how-to guides, designed to build the capacity of local leaders and officers.

The next phase of the project focuses on political advocacy, including the launch of the public engagement political toolkit and targeted briefings with politicians and decision-makers. The ongoing aim is to empower local authorities to engage their communities in climate action – accelerating local climate action and influencing national policy in favour of public involvement.