Climate change summit follows protests

More than 50 representative of councils across the area took part in the summit

Civic leaders in an area where campaigners have held several clean air and climate change protests have held their first climate summit.

More than 50 representatives from unitary, town and parish councils took part in the event at Delapré Abbey in Northampton.

One of the organisers said they hoped the summit would lead to a "cleaner, healthier and more resilient future for our residents".

Protesters have worn hazmat suits, distributed fake death certificates, and played loud music at council offices to make their point.

Campaigners have staged several protests about pollution and climate change in Northampton

Campaigners have accused West Northamptonshire Council of "doing nothing about toxic air and the climate".

They have staged several protests at council meetings against both the localised pollution in Northampton and the wider issue of global warming.

The council said it was now consulting on a climate change strategy for the area.

The event at Delapré Abbey brought together members of West Northamptonshire and Northampton Town Councils and other town and parish councils to discuss the climate challenge and how they could work together to make a difference locally.

The topics included food consumption and waste, biodiversity and communicating global warming.

Rebecca Breese from West Northamptonshire Council says everyone has a role to play in tackling climate change

Rebecca Breese, West Northamptonshire Council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people representing their local communities and coming together to focus on the critical issue of climate change.

"We all have a role to play, from individual households to local authorities, and this landmark event highlights our commitment as a council to building a cleaner, healthier and more resilient future for our residents.”

'Probably inevitable'

Andrew Stevens, who chairs Northampton Town Council’s environment committee, said: "We aim to now build on this summit and organise further events on various topics plus a resource database to support both local councils and residents who want to work together to reduce the worst effects of climate change and build resilience to those extreme weather events that are now probably inevitable."