Over the last six months a coalition of environmental organisations from across Birmingham have consulted the city’s residents on the local environmental issues that matter most to them in The Big Green Conversation.
On Friday 15 November 2019, Greener Birmingham, councillors (including Leader Cllr. Ian Ward), businesses and changemakers from across the city gathered at Impact Hub Birmingham for the launch of the People’s Manifesto for Birmingham. Using the document, the voice of the city as a starting point, the event aims to culminate in a number of positive actions for Birmingham City Council, businesses and Greener Birmingham to take forward to make the city a greener and healthier place to live.
The Big Green Conversation consultation has been part of the UK Government’s Year of Green Action, its ambitious 25 year Environment Plan and comes as Birmingham City Council declared a Climate Emergency in June and set up a Climate task force in October 2019.
Michael Addison, Chair of Greener Birmingham and Director of ecobirmingham, said:
“Birmingham is aiming to lead the way by becoming carbon neutral by 2030. This will mean radical changes to the way we all live, get around and run our businesses. Communities have to be listened to so we ensure a Just Transition for all. If you think about how little has really changed in the last 10 years it makes you realise the scale and pace of change needed over the next 10 years is immense. We all need to act now. The problem and solutions belong to all of us, and Greener Birmingham will be part of making the changes happen for communities.”
Leader of Birmingham City Council Cllr Ian Ward said:
“The time for action is now and we owe it to future generations of Birmingham citizens to work together to shape the city. That’s why the Big Green Conversation is so important. We need to keep talking, listening and working together for a greener, more sustainable Birmingham.”
The full People’s Manifesto can be read here.