Accelerating Local Climate Action Conference

Wouldn't it be good to know if talking to your council about climate action ever made a difference? Or if money is the main limiting factor for a council's climate action?

Join us for an exciting in-person event at Lift, 45 White Lion Street, London on Wednesday 18th of March 2026 where we will answer these questions!

Following the launch of the Council Climate Action Scorecards in June 2025, Climate Emergency UK (CE UK) is launching the Accelerating Local Climate Action report looking into how the wealth of a council, public pressure and the governance of the council accelerates council climate action. The report has been authored by Dr Liam Clegg (University of York) and Dr Peter Eckersley (Nottingham Trent University).

On the day, we will present key findings from this report, including trends observed in the Scorecards results and an analysis of the drivers of local climate action from the academic authors of the report and other sector speakers.

The conference will also celebrate and share success stories highlighted by the research, showcasing UK councils and residents efforts in tackling climate action at the local level.

Come and learn from experts, exchange ideas, and gain inspiration to drive local climate action in your own area.

Please find the full agenda for the day below. Lunch and refreshments will be provided as part of the cost of the ticket. Attendees will also get exclusive access to the report the week before launch.

Speakers include:

Dr Liam Clegg: Dr Liam Clegg is a Senior Lecturer in Politics at the University of York, where he has since 2010 been researching and teaching on sustainable governance and finance. Liam’s latest book, ‘Institutions for Climate Finance: States, Markets, and Foundations of Effective Performance’ (co-authored with Julio Galindo-Gutierrez) is published by Oxford University Press in Spring, 2026.

Chris Holloway: Chris has played a leading role in Winchester Action on the Climate Crisis for about 15 years. Previous senior local government experience shaped her approach to working alongside, rather than in opposition to, the District Council under both Conservative and Lib Dem leadership, and the County Council, always Conservative led. Chris has also been bringing climate and nature groups together across the whole of the Hampshire & Solent region to press for climate and nature to be priorities for the Combined Strategic Authority and Mayor.

Ted M: Ted is a co-organiser of Save Our Safer Streets, a grassroots community group in Tower Hamlets, London. The group has successfully defended healthy streets in Bethnal Green against the wishes of the borough’s mayor, through public consultations, petitions and ultimately the Court of Appeal. Ted’s worked for several years at Oxford City Council and he is now Development Lead at Royal Docks Waterways, where he is activating the historic docks in Newham for public use. In his unpaid activism and paid work he seeks to make neighbourhoods better for all.

Tickets are now on sale!