What we're working on...

Climate Action Leeds - Sector and Campaign Support for a Just Transition 

Building on the priorities identified by the Leeds Climate Change Citizen’s Jury, Climate Action Leeds selected seven key areas of focus for our programme.  

The seven sector themes are: energy, housing, food, nature, work & economy, youth & education, and transport.

For each theme we have appointed a transition partner. The transition partners act as sector organisers, inspiring and organising change around their area of interest and expertise.

They serve as hubs which bring together expertise, insights and action, sharing this with the community hubs and city hub too.

They host regular assemblies around their particular area and are working towards developing a sector plan that feeds into the city plan and will support community-led networks and action towards a just transition.

Just Transition Partners

The seven Climate Action Leeds Transition Themes and partners are...

Transport Team: Naomi Harriott-Brown & Jane Turner

The Transport transition partners are supporting the work of groups working for increased rates of active travel, reduced car use and an improved public transport system for Leeds. They are framing their work around 'mobility justice' and believe that everyone has the right to be able to move around the city in a way that is accessible, affordable and safe for them. Naomi is a co-director at a not-for-profit, local bike cooperative, and Jane is a…..

The transport partners have compiled a document which signposts to a range of transport related opportunities and resources in Leeds, and encourage anyone to reach out if they need support pursuing any of these initiatives. They are looking to collaborate with communities who are interested in holding car free days on a local street, using the 'Streets for People' or 'Play Streets' frameworks, with a view to setting up regular car free days where there is a local desire for them.

They are also drafting their first transport plan - visioning a transport system which is nature friendly, zero carbon and socially just.  This will incorporate the priorities, barriers and visions identified by local communities, campaigners and stakeholders.

Contact both Jane and Naomi at: jane.turner@leedstidal.org and naomi.brown@leedstidal.org

Work & Economy Team - Emilie Tricarico & Ronan Murphy-Coghlan

Ronan & Emilie are ecological economists working at Leeds Tidal to deliver a just transition within the "work & economy" sector.

Energy Partner - Platform

London based organisation bringing together activists, artists and researchers to focus on social and environmental issues and a just transition.

Housing Partner - People Powered Homes

Our transition partner, People Powered Homes, is working as part of Climate Action Leeds in the housing sector. Their overall aim is to develop a plan to transform Leeds’ housing sector into one which is compatible with a zero carbon, nature friendly and socially just city as well as contribute to the city-wide just transition road map to ensure cross-sector thinking around climate change.

To achieve this they are working in a number of areas. Firstly, to ensure everyone is on board with the Leeds city-wide plan for transition to a zero carbon, nature friendly, socially just city People Powered Homes will be working and connecting with policy and decision makers, employers, and landlords in the housing sector.

They are doing key mapping work as they identify and connect existing housing related groups and organisations in the city so they can signpost to their services and facilitate collaboration. This work is an integral part of providing our Community Hubs with advice and support on climate related housing issues to allow them to take their own local actions.

This work with the Community Hubs will also be complemented by workshops and resources created in collaboration with other transition partners delivered to both individuals and organisations across Leeds. These sessions and resources will help both groups to make their own homes and buildings more energy efficient and reduce their carbon footprint by looking at topics such as insulation, retrofit, fuel poverty, and the intersections with other issues including nature and energy.

Food Partner: Foodwise Leeds

The driving force for good food in Leeds. Building a locally-focused, high quality, low carbon, minimum waste and fair food system for our city. This Leeds-wide campaign is managed by Leeds Food Partnership.

Nature Partner: Hyde Park Source

Our transition partner, Hyde Park Source, is working in the nature sector to bring together expertise, insights and action. They are a community organisation that is focused on improving the health and wellbeing of Leeds’ population by improving the natural environment.

They are working towards developing a ‘Green Leeds Action’ plan which is to feed into the city-wide plan, support a community-led response to the Climate Emergency, and move Leeds towards a zero carbon, nature friendly, socially just city by the 2030s.

Hyde Park Source is intent on supporting existing nature based work and networks exist across Leeds by connecting and empowering these people and organisations. It is hoped this will enable and support more nature based activity throughout the city.

Youth & Education Partners: Leeds DEC & Angel House

Leeds charity, Leeds Development Education Centre, and grassroots youth organisation, Angel House, are working together in partnership to lead on the development and delivery of a Climate Curriculum and Youth and Education Action Plan for the city.

What Else We Offer

Building effective campaigns and groups can be really challenging, and a difficult process to start. We’re here to help you build sustainable campaigns and hit the ground running by providing locally-rooted long term support, infrastructure, and resources.

Workshops

We prefer to design bespoke workshops around the groups needs. Here are a few examples of sessions we could run with your group:

• Strategy part 1: Defining group purpose 

• Strategy part 2: Defining group values and principles

• Strategy part 3: Testing and embedding campaign strategy

• Defining group structure and decision making

• Growing, absorbing and retaining new people

• Creating a fundraising strategy

• Anti-oppression part 1: Exploring group dynamics & power 

• Anti-oppression part 2: Introduction to building solidarity 

If you would like to discuss an idea or request support for your group get in touch with info@leedstidal.org

Project Incubation

Grassroots groups often struggle  to apply for the funding they need to increase their impact. This regularly bottlenecks campaigns from capitalising on key political moments. We also offer more long-term support and project incubation to help new or existing groups increase their capacity.  Please read our Campaign Support Offer to find out more about how it works and our eligibility criteria.

If this sounds like something your project needs get in touch with info@leedstidal.org to discuss your idea.

Online Tools

Here's some of our handy online tools and resources to support your activism and campaigning: