How effective are Climate Commissions?

Climate Commissions adopt a number of roles and have an important impact locally, a report evaluating PCAN's core Commissions in Leeds, Belfast and Edinburgh has found.

However, the evaluation found that the Commissions have two functions primarily: that of a convenor, bringing disparate organisations and individuals to work together to take action on addressing climate change, and that of an independent, evidence-based advisor role.

 

 

Take part in our local climate action survey!

Are you involved in an organisation, group, partnership or other type of collaboration that is working to tackle climate action where you live? If so, the Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN) would like to hear about your experiences.

Responses are invited from people who work for or represent such organisations, or who support them in other ways (for example, by giving their time voluntarily or through in kind working). 

Write a Commentary for PCAN!

Are you looking for an opportunity to write about your research or practice in local or regional climate action?

Do you have insights to share on aspects of climate governance networks in the UK that would interest decision-makers, policymakers, researchers, journalists, researchers and other organisations that seek to influence decisions?

Or is there a current policy debate, breaking news story or hot topic relevant to place-based climate action that you are well placed to comment on?

Governance networks for sustainable cities

Governance networks - groups of public, private and third sector organisations that collaborate to support urban sustainability efforts - in European cities are explored in a book by PCAN Associate Dr Katherine Maxwell.

Climate Commission research scoops prize

Former PCAN researcher Alice Creasy has won a prize for the publication of a paper in the journal Politics and Governance which she co-authored with members of the PCAN team.

Every year the School of Geosciences at the University of Edinburgh awards a series of prizes for taught MSc graduates who have either had their Dissertation accepted for publication or who have presented their work at a conference.

York Climate Commission unveils online platform to support city’s carbon reduction plans

York Climate Commission (YCC) has launched a dedicated online information resource to help local residents, businesses and environmental groups understand more about its work to support York’s net-zero carbon ambition by 2030.

The independent commission, created with the support of City of York Council, brings together public, private and civic sectors of York to share expertise, experience, best practice and practical measures to help implement action to tackle the challenges of climate change.

New study shows the importance of place in delivering major economic and social benefits

New research by PwC has found that place-based carbon reduction measures led by UK cities and towns would produce far better environmental, economic and social results, at lower cost, than a national "one size fits all" approach. PCAN’s Andy Gouldson and Andrew Sudmant and Otley Energy (Andy Boyle) contributed to the study.

Final PCAN Fund awards announced

Three projects and a Fellowship have been awarded through the third and final round of the PCAN Fund. 

The aim of the PCAN Fund is to support projects that promote and increase understanding of place-based climate action in the UK. The Fund provides small grants for both research and the development of policy and practice. 

Investment in climate action at the local level could create 800K jobs by 2030, report finds

A report by the Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action, Queens University Belfast and the Place-Based Climate Action Network for UK100, finds that investment in climate action at the local level would see over 800,000 green jobs across the UK by 2030, rising to 1.38 million total jobs by 2050.