Council invites residents to brainstorm a net zero future for Canterbury

Canterbury City Council is asking residents to have their say on how they think climate change should be tackled locally in a series of immersive workshops.

The Strategy Room sessions, paid for and designed by innovation agency Nesta, will bring people together to brainstorm ideas around new technologies and smarter ways of living in the district.

Participants don’t need any special skills or knowledge about climate change to take part, and they will each be paid £20 for their time.

The workshops are 90 minutes long and will include videos, discussions and interactive voting on proposed strategies.

Two public sessions are being held in the coming weeks:

• one for residents living in the city of Canterbury and the district’s rural areas, taking place at The Beaney on Friday 6 December at 1.30pm
• one for residents living in the coastal towns of Herne Bay and Whitstable, taking place at Herne Bay Baptist Church on Thursday 5 December at 5.30pm

You can book your place on one of these workshops online. Spaces are limited, so sign up now to reserve your spot.

Two closed sessions are also being held with the council’s social housing tenants as well as students from Canterbury College to ensure views are being sought from a range of social groups.

Cllr Mel Dawkins, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said “These workshops are a brilliant way for residents to tell us what they think a net zero future should look like for our district, and I’m really pleased I was able to make the link with Nesta to take this forward.

“We know climate change is already impacting communities around the world, but this is a valuable opportunity to look at what it means for Canterbury on a local level and what a better future could look like for our residents.

“Feedback gathered in the workshops will help us understand what matters most to local people and why, so please book your space on a workshop to have your voice heard.

“And a big thank you to Nesta for making these sessions possible.”

Published: 21 November 2024