Our History

As concerns about climate change mounted worldwide, a small group met in North Staffordshire and agreed to set up a network bringing together a partnership of iindividuals and organisations from the public, private, voluntary and community sectors.

Jonathon Porritt, Chancellor of Keele University and lifelong environmental campaigner, Joan Walley,former Stoke North MP, Chair of Parliament's Environment Audit Select Committee 2010 – 2015, and Jeremy Lefroy, former MP for Stafford, well known for his commitment to Fair Trade agreed to be patrons and
North Staffordshire Climate Matters Network was launched at Keele University on 30th October 2019.

Suggestions were made by some of those attending including the Cabinet Member with responsibility for climate change on Staffordshire County that the Network should be County wide as Climate Emergencies had been declared by Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City and all eight district councils and plans needed to be co-ordinated. Local authorities have a key role to play.

On 13th February 2020 at the County Showground, Stafford Climate Matters Staffordshire’s constitution was formally agreed and a committee was approved.

Mark Atherton, Assistant Director Environment of Greater Manchester Combined Authorities inspired everyone with his speech on Climate Emergency - The Greater Manchester Experience.

Covid -19 meant that energy was deflected from climate change. As COP 26 in Glasgow, November 2021, approached and the world saw more floods, fire, storms and biodiversity loss, the need for urgent action now became imperative.

Climate Matters Staffordshire called a Conference in October at which councils across Staffordshire presented their action plans for climate change and constructive discussions by a wide range of participants confirmed that it was essential for everyone to work collaboratively and as the children from A Stoke primary school said in a film made for CMS about actions across Staffordshire “ Do Something”

Our History

Our Aims and Objectives

To bring together in partnership individuals and organisations from the public,
private, voluntary and community sectors:

To promote and raise awareness of the climate and ecological impacts caused by human activity and the need for comprehensive action in the next decade.
To enhance education on decarbonisation amongst partners, organisations and others in the target area
To address climate and ecological problems locally through collaborative, targeted strategies and solutions.
To contribute positively to regional, national and international efforts to limit global temperature rises to below 1.5° C through sustainable development.

Objectives

To work across all sectors to develop strong collaborative strategies and targeted action plans to ensure that Staffordshire is a leader in addressing climate and ecological emergencies.
To identify specific local issues and sectors that impact on climate change and the threat of ecological catastrophe and seek to address their specific challenges.
To recognise the need to change from a high to a low carbon economy.
To seek solutions which recognise the need for change and transformation to achieve a new sustainable shared prosperity through reskilling workers and developing new technologies.
To identify and build on existing initiatives and experiences developing and sharing good practice.
To promote local talent, by utilising creativity and optimism to find solutions to the current climate and ecological emergencies.
To recognise the importance of evidence based decision making and to work closely with our two local universities, using their expertise to find solutions, including commissioning research.
To campaign for funding and inward investment to support the changes needed, recognising that in the long term these changes are essential to economic and social success and wellbeing.

Equality, Diversity and Values

The Network:

Will not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, national origin, political affiliation, colour, ancestry, sexual orientation, religion or disability and will actively seek diverse participation and partnership from people (and organisations) of all backgrounds.
Recognises that members and supporters, both individuals and organisations, may have different views and approaches to addressing climate change and will respect this diversity.
Will try to make sure that everyone can feel welcome and safe at meetings and events organised by the Network and will challenge any remarks or behaviour that cause offence and makes some people feel unwelcome.

Equality, Diversity and Values

Committee Members

Officers
Chair – Michaela Fyson
Vice Chair – Kate Copeland
Secretary – Neil Dawson
Treasurer – Ian Trippier

Members

Peter Lawrence
Jeremy Lowe
Bernard Peters
Andrew Thompson
Paul Woodhead

Committee Members