21 people at the Friends of the Earth meeting took part in a) watching ropey youtube videos and b) q and a about climate change action plan/stakeholder conference and c) getting into small groups and circulating around a series of flipcharts with questions posed (see raw data below).
Thanks to them, and to the FOE co-ordinating group! Results will be fed back to the relevant people (i.e. the Steering Group) shortly.
How should people be kept informed about the conference?
email- regular mailouts
target forums interested groups use
twitter
facebook
social networking
get ads/info on GMPTE, bike racks etc
big screen e.g. Outside Selfridges
also consider the “what” to inform people of
MEN, local newspapers
council publications
posters- libraries, bussstops, billboards, phone boxes
company newsletters/intranet champions
environment type businesses – bike shops, health-food shops
university, students union
council events/local festivals/events
word of mouth
local radio, northwest tonight
channel M
personal contact to counter the ‘noise’ of all other competing time commitments
follow on document
regular public review of progress e.g. 6 monthly
MEN
website
Town Crier
What’s the most important outcome for Nov 30?
Tangible actions (SMART)
Full engagement with local voluntary and third sector projects
Chief Execs to be invited (of plcs, ltds, smes, third sectors
a “Real” broad-based coalition
Identify where funding is needed
Identify accountable for actions on council
target landlords
how will they measure progress
transparency – publish results and outcomes of event
increased interest and awareness
consensus
bylaws committing council over and above reputation [this is response to a question about whether the Action Plan was legally binding]
What’s the main danger in the November 30 conference?
Negativity
Has to mean something. How to put ideas into practice
Not enough people turning up
Working day (i.e a week day)
Unrepresentative sample of the population (getting the “same” people going
False sense of security
way it’s presented “stakeholder conference” offputting to many. Revamp image/rebranding – tell people what it’s about and what’s in it for people to attend
could be seen as a rubber-stamping exercise
avoid using the word stakeholder
not inspiring attendees, possibly confusing
failure to set targets
people don’t get the meaning of stakeholders – too vague
just another talking shop, no tangible actions or momentum results
disefranchises some people
feel like something’s happening when its not
That does not involve real people, or that the local authority do not listen!
Talking shop- no concrete commitments after
Ideas from day disappear (feedback to participants essential)
How can ‘we’ achieve the second headline objective “to engage all individuals, neighbourhoods and organisations in a process of cultural change that embeds ‘low-carbon thinking’ into the lifestyles and operations of the city”?
Individuals to invite 5 others into their house to give five actions/tips people can do. Then they get 5 others… “give the planet a hand”
Working with the mass media messages we’re all bombarded with
Promote positive alternatives of low-carbon living
Existing strong networks- allotment societies, TRAs, e.g get a council climate champion to visit and talk about it
Piggy-back existing events and street parties
Celebrate it – create a vision of the elements
look at best practice from other countries
appeal to people- cash incentives?
Video footage on outdoor TV screens, billboards around central Manchester etc
More interactive stuff for public to visit – ecohouses
What don’t you know that you want to know about Manchester and climate change? (we’ll get answers to these questions as soon as able)
Average household c02 emissoins
What ACTUAL activity is happening and planned
Does Manchester City Council know what its emissions are?
What is the vision for what Mcr will look like in 2020?
Is MCC on target to meet its 10:10 targets
How are they planning to meet the second headline objective?
Who (depts/indivs) will be responsible for implementation/achieving targets
How does Mcr compare with other cities in terms of per capita emissions
Help for the fuel poor- what are they doing?
How they measure their impact
Who should we engage with
Tenants and residents groups
Allotment groups
Eco-projects at churches and religious groups
Youth groups (e.g. Jewish FZY, BBYO)
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