Communities, councils, and sustainability partners came together at the Royal Leamington Spa Town Hall for the inaugural South Warwickshire Local Climate Engagement Programme (LCEP) event – a collaborative day focused on accelerating locally-led climate and nature action across the region and helping to build a cleaner, greener, fairer future for all. Take the survey to help shape the future of the LCEP.
Organised by the South Warwickshire Local Climate Engagement Programme, the event featured a keynote address from Becky Lovegrove, Green & Healthy Frome, a partnership between Frome Medical Practice, Frome Town Council, and Edventure Frome CIC. Together, they secured £1.7 million from The National Lottery to support their mission to engage the community in actions that benefit the planet, health, and cost of living. As the project nears completion, Becky reflected on key achievements such as the River Vision project and CANteen, as well as lessons learned, and areas for improvement. View the presentation slides
Climate Officers and community partners led workshops on biodiversity and pollinator projects, flood prevention and adaptation, and energy efficiency and retrofit schemes. A dedicated space with presentations and summaries of the workshops has been made available here.
After a plant-based “Top Nosh” lunch, delegates took part in networking, exhibitions, and sessions with organisations including Act on Energy, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, and Midlands Net Zero Hub, alongside climate and sustainability teams from Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick District Councils as well as Warwickshire County Council. The event also brought together regional environmental networks, including the Low Carbon Warwickshire Network and South Warwickshire Area Network for Wildlife, to showcase community-led initiatives.
Feedback collected through LCEP conversation boards highlighted strengths, challenges, and opportunities for improved collaboration and innovation, helping to shape the next phase of LCEP across South Warwickshire.
Morning Workshops
Biodiversity – With harm to nature and wildlife a top concern among the UK population, positive initiatives such as Bee Friendly Leamington and Sustainable Wellesbourne’s Open Gardens for Wildlife were showcased as inspiring and replicable examples of community-led biodiversity action. The Wilder Communities Project is funded by Stratford and Warwick District Councils and works to improve education grounds, community green spaces and other publicly accessible areas for nature.
Adaptation – Local projections for Warwickshire indicate warmer, wetter winters; hotter, drier summers; and more frequent extreme weather events. Vulnerable residents, infrastructure, and ecosystems face increased risks from flooding, heatwaves, and storm damage. The workshop encouraged delegates to explore practical local responses such as tree planting, sustainable landscaping, community cool spaces, and other nature-based solutions. Great Alne Parish Council presented their innovative Drain Guardians Programme – an effective example of council and community-led flood alleviation. The working group now aims to strengthen partnerships with farmers and landowners to “slow the flow” through natural flood management, combining large-scale interventions like leaky dams with practical household-level actions. Their Lengthsman scheme also supports essential maintenance and provides “local eyes on the ground” for ongoing monitoring. These topics are explored in greater detail in this presentation from November 2024: Climate Adaptation In Warwickshire: What Is Coming, How Can We Prepare?”
Energy Efficency & Retrofit – Delegates explored practical strategies to tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions within their communities. The session, led by Act-on Energy, covered key funding schemes such as the Warm Homes Local Grant and Warwickshire Household Support Fund, and offered insights into low-carbon technologies like solar panels and heat pumps. Participants engaged in discussions around historic housing challenges, energy efficiency upgrades, and how to better support vulnerable households. View the presentation slides
“Events like this are about connection and collaboration,” said David Elkington, Strategic Director, Warwick District Council. “By sharing learning, resources, and success stories, we can build stronger, more resilient communities ready to take meaningful action for people, place and planet.”
Building Local Networks for Climate and Nature
After a short local and plant-based lunch, delegates also enjoyed networking opportunities, exhibition stalls, and drop-in sessions with organisations Act on Energy, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, and Midlands Net Zero Hub. Both Warwick District Council and Stratford-on-Avon District Council were represented by their Climate Change Officers, alongside the Warwickshire County Council Sustainable Futures Team and Local Nature Partnership. Together, they shared guidance, funding updates, and examples of partnership working that are helping to align local priorities with regional climate and nature ambitions.
The event also saw representation from the region’s growing environmental networks. Members of the Low Carbon Warwickshire Network (LCWN) and the South Warwickshire Area Network for Wildlife (SWAN) joined local partners to showcase community-led initiatives tackling energy, biodiversity, and resilience challenges.
LCEP “conversation boards” gathered feedback on the programme’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities, with suggestions for better collaboration, improved resources, and innovative ways to accelerate climate and nature action across the region. Insights will inform the next phase of LCEP across South Warwickshire. Read more on this LCEP engagement piece and its design.
Next Steps and Ongoing Collaboration
The Local Climate Engagement Programme will build on the success of this event through future webinars, shared learning opportunities, and collaborative projects designed to strengthen local capacity for action. A follow-up survey will capture feedback on the event and elicit ideas for the way forward.
Action on climate and nature is central to achieving a cleaner, greener, and fairer future for all – one that benefits communities, supports local economies, and protects the environment for generations to come.
For more information or to explore collaboration opportunities, future events, or partnership working, please contact the LCEP team:
- Stratford-on-Avon District: localclimateengagement@stratford-dc.gov.uk
- Warwick District: swclimate.engagement@warwickdc.gov.uk