Create a Community Hub

In April 2026, the People’s Emergency Briefing began to roll out across the UK. The 50-minute Gogglebox-style film, includes footage taken at the National Emergency Briefing event held in Westminster in November 2025, interviews with climate experts and scientists and reactions from celebrities and members of the public. The team behind the briefings: brothers Simon and Nick Oldridge and their colleagues, hoped for screenings in every constituency in the UK, and for as many MPs as possible to see the film and to show their support for a national televised briefing. Isabelle Sparrow, host of the Carbon Copy Podcast, is also a member of one of the local organisations that signed up to put on a People’s Emergency Briefing event, Sustainable Wymondham. This episode of the podcast tells the story of her experience, and of how the groundswell of awareness and urgency around the climate crisis created by the film can be channeled into more action. Listen or watch now to: Learn where the idea for the National Emergency Briefing came from. Discover why the film was made and why hosting screenings in communities is so important. Hear from attendees at the Wymondham event – why they attended and what they thought of the film. Hear a local MP’s perspective. Understand what the long-term goal is – and how you can get involved and make a difference. A full transcript is available from the Carbon Copy website here: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/a-local-national-emergency--------------------------------------------------------- Show notes Find out more about the National Emergency Briefing: https://www.nebriefing.org/  Find a People’s Emergency Briefing screening near you: https://www.nebriefing.org/screening-map  Read more about Sustainable Wymondham: https://sustainablewymondham.org.uk/  Discover place-based projects to copy in your own local area: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives  Download a copy of From Footprint to Changeprint: https://carboncopy.eco/changeprint/report  Listen to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast  Susbscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@carboncopy_eco   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast, recorded at the launch event for our new report: “From Footprint to Changeprint,” we explore the key characteristics and success factors shared by high-impact place-based initiatives from across the UK. Hosted by Carbon Copy trustee and Eunomia consultant Izzy Williamson, the episode delves into the methodology behind the research, reveals some of the key findings; and spotlights examples from some of the participants whose organisations supported the study. Listen now to: Learn what we mean by a Changeprint, and why we think this new way of talking about impact could spark inspiration. Gain insight into the 12 success factors of local climate action, and how they work together within three broader characteristics. Hear about some of the high-impact projects involved in the research, and how the success factors and characteristics relate to their work. Discover how to access the report and guide, and how this could help you and your organisation grow a bigger Changeprint. Full transcript available at: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/from-footprint-to-changeprint--------------------------------------------------------------- Show notes This episode of the podcast was written and hosted by Ric Casale, Trustee at Carbon Copy and Isabelle Williamson, Consultant at Eunomia. It was produced and edited by Bradley Ingham. Thanks to Kate Collier, Simon Gray and Clare Seek for their participation and to all the other representatives of local climate initiatives who contributed to the research. Access a copy of the report From Footprint to Changeprint: https://carboncopy.eco/changeprint/report  Find out more about Changeprint: https://carboncopy.eco/changeprint  Learn more about Eunomia: https://eunomia.eco/  Read about Bike Worcester on Carbon Copy: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/bike-worcester  Read about Ulster Wildlife’s Haughey’s Bog restoration project on Carbon Copy: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/haugheys-bog-restoration  Read about Share (Portsmouth) on Carbon Copy: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/share-portsmouth  Listen to other episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special one-off episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast, Head of Communications and podcast host Isabelle Sparrow chats to Carbon Copy co-founder and Trustee, Ric Casale about the charity’s exciting new concept: Changeprint. Every action leaves a Changeprint. A Changeprint is the collective impact created when people join with others to make something happen. It’s visible proof that collaboration works and that local climate action improves daily life. A Changeprint isn’t the project itself. It’s the sum of all the good it generates: stronger connections, healthier environments, shared learning, local pride and a growing sense of belonging. Where a carbon footprint measures what we take away, a Changeprint shows what we can build together.  Listen or watch now, to hear why Carbon Copy is launching Changeprint now, and how it will help more people turn their concern for climate and nature into collective impact.  Full transcript available at https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/introducing-changeprint--------------------------------------- Show notes Learn more about Changeprint: https://carboncopy.eco/changeprint Listen back to earlier episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast  Discover an initiative to inspire you to grow your own Changeprint: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives  Explore 25 Big Local Actions you can take for climate and nature: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction  Follow Carbon Copy on social media: https://linktr.ee/carboncopy.eco  Read about the 89 Percent Project: https://89percent.org/  Read the latest DESNZ Public Attitudes Tracker report: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/desnz-public-attitudes-tracker-summer-2025  Send us an email: [email protected]  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this, the final episode of the series, hosts Isabelle and Bradley are joined by author and activist Mya-Rose Craig (AKA Birdgirl) and Emma River-Roberts to discuss how to make climate and nature action truly inclusive, and why it matters. We learn about Mya-Rose's organisation Black2Nature and the work she is doing to introduce her love of the outdoors to young people of colour; and we discover how personal experience led to Emma creating the Working Class Climate Alliance, to help more people of different class backgrounds into the climate conversation. Listen now to hear: The origin story of Black2Nature – the charity Mya-Rose Craig started aged just 13! Emma’s top tips for helping to break down barriers for people of working class backgrounds. How social justice and tackling the climate and nature crises are inextricably linked. How tailoring activities and language to different people can help make climate action feel relevant to everyone. Full transcript available at: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/be-more-inclusive----------------------------------------- Show notes Find out more about being more inclusive: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/inclusive-climate-action  Discover all 25 Big Local Actions: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction              Listen to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast               Send us your feedback and comments: [email protected]  Learn more about Black2Nature: https://black2nature.org/  Read about Mya-Rose's other work: https://www.birdgirluk.com/  Read about the Working Class Climate Alliance: https://wccalliance.org/  Listen to our podcast episode with Gnisha Bevan, co-founder of the Black Seeds Network: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/bonus-episode-nature-rising      Read the most recent RACE report: https://www.race-report.uk/ Discover resources on speaking to different people about climate change, from Climate Outreach: https://climateoutreach.org/resources/  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We might be a quarter of the way through the 21st century, but our energy system in still stuck in the past, with distribution of power still reliant on the National Grid and few options for people to take control of their energy needs on a local level. In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast, we speak to three guests who are looking to disrupt the status quo and empower people to collectively generate and use electricity within communities. We speak to artist and filmmaker Hilary Powell about her project Power Station, which saw many of the houses on her road in East London installing solar panels on their rooftops. We speak to Kayla Ente, MBE, about the work of BHESCo, which is helping communities across Brighton & Hove and beyond to decarbonise, and we meet Gareth Davies, whose organisation Aquatera led the ReFLEX Orkney project; a pioneering initiative connecting the dots between local energy generation and use on the Orkney Islands. Listen now to hear: What inspired Hilary and her partner Dan to create Power Station. What the current legislation is and why it is still challenging to break free from the grid. What BHESCo is doing to help more people have access to renewable energy generation at no upfront cost. How the original ambition of the ReFLEX Orkney programme has faces challenges with outdated policy and systems. What communities can do to maximise the benefits of local power generation. Full transcript available at: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/use-decentralised-energy------------------------------------------------------- Show notes Find out more about using decentralised energy: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/use-decentralised-energy      Discover all 25 Big Local Actions: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction            Listen to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast             Send us your feedback and comments: [email protected]    Read about BHESCo on Carbon Copy: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/brighton-and-hove-energy-services-co-op Read about ReFLEX Orkney on Carbon Copy: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/reflex-orkney Learn more about Power Station and where you can see the film: https://power.film/ Read Community Energy England’s State of the Sector 2025 report: https://communityenergyengland.org/news/2025-state-of-the-sector-report-community-energy-surges-ahead-24-5m-reinvested-locally-movement-poised-to-scale-and-shape-whats-next/  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast we head to Wales, to explore two fantastic examples of community hubs. Hwb y Gors is a newly opened arts and sustainability education centre in Cwmgors, Neath Port Talbot, which has been developed in an old Victiorian school building and is supporting the local community through a huge range of creative activities and wellbeing initiatives; and Tŷ Pawb is an impressive gallery, retail and event space in Wrexham, opened in 2018 and created in what was formerly a multi-storey carpark. Whilst on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of scale, both these initiatives are bringing huge positive impacts to their local area, economically, socially and environmentally. Listen now to hear: How Hwb y Gors is helping restore community connectedness, and improving engagement with environmental issues through the arts. How start-up businesses are going from pop-up stalls to high street retailers through Tŷ Pawb’s support programme. How sustainability and community resilience are being improved by the repurposing of disused buildings. Full transcript available at: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/create-a-community-hub-----------------------------------------------------------Show notes Find out more about creating a community hub: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/create-a-community-hub    Discover all 25 Big Local Actions: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction          Listen to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast           Send us your feedback and comments: [email protected]  Read about Hwb y Gors on Carbon Copy: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/hwb-y-gors  Learn more about Awel Aman Tawe, the community energy organisation behind Hwb y Gors: https://aat.cymru/  Learn more about Tŷ Pawb: https://www.typawb.wales/  Listen to our episode on installing low-carbon heating: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/install-low-carbon-heating   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK has some of the lowest quality and least energy efficient housing stock in Europe, and the majority of our buildings are still heated by gas fired boilers. This is despite huge hikes in fuel prices in recent years, and the introduction of subsidies for greener alternatives. For many people, low-carbon heating is inaccessible due to high upfront costs or unsuitable due to poor insulation. In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast we explore two initiatives that are helping communities to embrace low-carbon heat: Power Up North London, which has helped Caxton House in Archway to decarbonise and become a warmer more inviting space for those that use it, and the UK’s first rural heat network in Swaffham Prior. Listen now and learn: About the different approaches to decarbonising heat, and what works where. How partnerships and collaborations are vital to get projects off the ground. About the enormous savings – both in carbon emissions and financially – that can be made through switching away from fossil fuels. Full transcript available at: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/install-low-carbon-heating---------------------------------------- Show notes Find out more about installing low-carbon heating: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/install-low-carbon-heating   Discover all 25 Big Local Actions: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction        Listen to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast         Send us your feedback and comments: [email protected]  Read about Heating Swaffham Prior on Carbon Copy: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/heating-swaffham-prior  Read about Power Up North London on Carbon Copy: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/power-up-north-london  Learn about Power Up North London’s plans to create a decarbonised neighbourhood in Islington: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQBt2QIiLwv/  Listen to a previous episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast – Insulate Our Homes: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/insulate-our-homes   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast, host Isabelle Sparrow is joined by Vera Zakharov, Local Action Coordinator at Sustain, to speak about food partnerships and how the Sustainable Food Places programme is supporting the creation of a better, more connected food system across the UK. We meet guests from two very different food partnerships – Martin Carle from Granite City Good Food, in Aberdeen; and Augusta Lewis from Bwyd Sir Gâr Food, the sustainable food partnership for Carmarthenshire in Wales. Listen now to learn: How organisations including businesses, charities, community groups, schools and colleges and NHS trusts can benefit from coming together in partnership around food. About the different Sustainable Food Places awards and what they mean. How everyone is connected by food – and why it is such an important way in to creating better, healthier, more environmentally friendly places. Full transcript available at: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/create-a-food-partnership--------------------------------------------------------Show notes Find out more about creating a food partnership: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/create-a-food-partnership  Discover all 25 Big Local Actions for climate and nature: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction     Listen back to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast  Send us your feedback: [email protected] Learn about Sustainable Food Places: https://www.sustainablefoodplaces.org/ Read about Sustain’s Good Food Local programme: https://www.sustainweb.org/good-food-local/ Read about the Campaign for Real Bread: https://www.sustainweb.org/realbread/ Read more about Granite City Good Food: https://www.granitecitygoodfood.org/  Learn about Bwyd Sir Gâr Food: https://www.bwydsirgarfood.org/  Listen to our previous episode with Sustain, Produce Local Food: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/produce-local-food   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast we explore the origins and the impacts of The Carbon Literacy Project. We speak to co-founder Phil Korbel, about how and why the initiative started, and about its exponential growth over the last thirteen years. We meet Linda Foley, an experienced educator and Manchester City Councillor, who discovered Carbon Literacy in her efforts to engage more of the school community with sustainability, and who says the project is the “silver bullet” she was looking for. And we chat to Jen Gale: author, podcaster and founder of Sustainable(ish), about her journey to becoming a Carbon Literacy trainer. Listen now to hear: How peer-to-peer learning is central to the ethos of Carbon Literacy. How embedding Carbon Literacy into organisations’ mandatory training is helping more people to get on board with climate action. How to become Carbon Literate yourself, and how you could help to train and engage others in your community. About The Carbon Literacy Project’s ambition to make Manchester the world’s first Carbon Literate City by 2027. Full transcript available at: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/engage-your-community------------------------------------------------------- Show notes Find out more about engaging your community: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/engage-your-community    Discover all 25 Big Local Actions: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction      Listen to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast       Send us your feedback and comments: [email protected]    Read more about what Carbon Literacy is: https://carbonliteracy.com/what-is-carbon-literacy/ Find out about bringing Carbon Literacy to your workplace or community group: https://carbonliteracy.com/organisation/ Learn more about the ambition for Manchester: https://carbonliteracy.com/mclc/ Find out more about the Carbon Literacy courses that Jen Gale has developed and how you can participate in training with her: https://www.asustainablelife.co.uk/carbon-literacy/   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast, host Isabelle Sparrow is joined by Isabel Mack, founder of the Party Kit Network CIC, to discuss the world of possibilities offered through borrowing. Whilst most people are familiar with book libraries, there are now hundreds of initiatives across the UK (and beyond) that allow the borrowing of other items –from household appliances to sports equipment and everything in-between.  Listen now to hear: About why Isabel Mack started the Party Kit Network CIC and how this simple idea has helped prevent enormous numbers of single-use items being used and thrown away. From Chris Hellawell, founder of Edinburgh Tool Library, about how this casual side-project became a full-time job and a thriving charity which has lent over 60,000 tools to people over the last decade. From Becky Harford, co-founder of Benthyg Cymru, about how a people-based, place-based approach is at the heart of their work, and how sharing and borrowing can bring people together and create more connected communities. From Gavin Fernie-Jones, founder of Re-Action Collective, about the need for better policy and support for the sharing economy, to make borrowing the obvious and first choice wherever possible. Full transcript available at: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/borrow-dont-buy------------------------------------------------------------- Show notes Find out more about borrowing, not buying: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/borrow-dont-buy   Discover all 25 Big Local Actions: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction    Listen to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast     Send us your feedback and comments: [email protected]  Read about the Party Kit Network CIC on Carbon Copy: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/party-kit-network  Read about Edinburgh Tool Library on Carbon Copy: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/edinburgh-tool-library  Learn more about Benthyg Cymru: https://www.benthyg-cymru.org/  Learn more about Re-Action Collective: https://re-action-collective.org/  Read about the Alternative High Street: https://www.partykitnetwork.org/post/re-action-alternative-high-street   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.