Sustainable Warwickshire

With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, flooding is a growing concern for many Warwickshire residents. In this episode, we explore how we are tackling flood risk and supporting communities in preparing for climate change impacts. Featuring insights from Scarlett Robertson (Flood Risk Management Officer at WCC) and Charles Barlow (Head of Community Partnerships at WCC), the discussion covers the challenges of flood management, the role of various agencies, and the importance of community-led action.

Reusing and recycling our waste is crucial for reducing environmental impact, conserving natural resources, and creating a more sustainable future for Warwickshire. Ruth Dixon from the Warwickshire County Council's waste team talks with Ivan Pointon from Kenilworth Lions Ltd, about the different ways in which waste is reused or recycled in the county.

Across the UK, emissions from schools make up 2% of the total, and 36% of public sector emissions, and the DfE has said every school in England should have a climate action plan in place by 2025. Join our guests Sarah Mills, a Climate Action Advisor for the charity Let's Go Zero, and Kate Waterfield, the Sustainability Lead at Brookhurst Primary School in Leamington Spa, to find out how schools are responding to this need for a climate action plan, what it looks like in practice, and what support is available to schools to help them to develop and deliver it.

Although playing sport is good for our mental and physical health, local sports clubs are increasingly susceptible to impacts of climate change such as floods and heatwaves. In this episode we hear from two local Warwickshire clubs - Fillongley Cricket Club and Stratford Boat Club - who have been taking steps to reduce their impact on the environment around them. Hear from Stephen Gardner and Claudine Pearson, who talk about their work and share lots of advice and suggestions for other sports clubs looking to start their sustainability journey. 

Find out how Warwickshire's rivers, canals, and other waterways can enhance your health and wellbeing! Diving into a discussion about the increasing importance of our waterways is Dr Jon Radley, Curator of Natural Sciences at Heritage & Culture Warwickshire (part of Warwickshire County Council) and Matt Bishop, Director of Warwick Boats and the Leam Boat Centre. Together, they share how these natural assets have been important in connecting communities for centuries and continue to play a crucial role in promoting physical and mental health as well as supporting a diverse ecosystem. This latest episode offers valuable insights for anyone looking to connect with nature, improve their mental health, and learn about the rich history and biodiversity of our local water bodies.

Climate hubs are physical spaces in town centres where people can get together to find out about sustainable living, make plans, exchange ideas and hold events. There are two new hubs opening in Warwickshire in Spring 2024 - one in Rugby and one in Stratford. In this episode, Alex Becker from Transition Town Rugby, and Stephen Norrie from Net Zero Stratford, talk about what their respective hubs and what a difference they can make to their communities. 

All across Warwickshire there are groups of local people who are concerned about climate change and have joined together to run events, raise awareness, share ideas and deliver projects to reduce carbon emissions.  Sharing some examples of this in practice, and discussing the benefits of community groups working in collaboration with town and parish councils, our guests include Bob Sherman, co-founder and Chair of the Low Carbon Warwickshire Network and Andrew Maliphant, Environmental and Sustainability Advisor to the Society of Local Clerks.

What do young people in Warwickshire really think about climate change? Is climate anxiety really a thing? What are they doing themselves to take action and what would they like to see happen in schools and colleges? Listen to Riyasa and Adam from the Warwickshire Youth Council share their perspectives on all things climate change. 

Warwickshire County Council's Sustainable Futures Strategy sets out how they will work with others to mitigate climate change and to work towards fulfilling the county's net zero commitments. Listen to the council's Head of Climate Change Sarah Stear discuss what this means in practice for council services and Warwickshire communities with Heather Timms, the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Climate and Culture. 

How will Warwickshire County Council achieve the ambition to plant a tree for every Warwickshire resident by 2030? Listen to two of the Council's landscape and environment team discuss the Council's new tree nursery and learn more about the advice, support and funding available to community groups, partners and local councils to make sure we're successful in planting the right trees in the right place across the county.

It's estimated that by 2050, four out of five jobs in the UK will be supporting the transition to net zero. Our guests include Dr Ben Silverstone, Associate Professor and Head of the WMG Skills Unit at the University of Warwick, and Louise Stolz, Business Skills Support Officer in Warwickshire County Council's Economy and Skills team. Together, they discuss the change needed to develop a workforce with the future skills to deliver on net zero ambitions, the opportunities for individuals and the economy and what support is already available for businesses in Warwickshire.

How big is the carbon footprint of healthcare in Warwickshire and what is the NHS doing to lessen its impact on the environment? Listen to local GP Dr Kirsty Beckett and South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust Sustainability Manager Cris Calleja discuss the importance of reducing healthcare carbon emissions in the county, and the actions they are taking to do so.

In this episode, we talk about energy in Warwickshire - where it comes from, how we use it and what the future might look like. Joining our host Steve Smith is Rachel Jones, CEO of Act on Energy, and Dave Barber, Programme Director for Climate Change at Warwick District Council. 

Warwickshire Fire & Rescue's Chief Fire Officer Ben Brook and Alan Carr from Sustainable West Midlands talk about how the effects of climate change are being felt across Warwickshire, and share some of the steps being taken to respond, react and adapt so that our communities are protected and we are better prepared for the future.   

Our children and young people will be amongst those most affected by climate change, so giving them opportunities to get involved with nature and the environment from an early age is critical. In this episode, we hear from Kristie Naimo from ARC CIC and two teachers from Michael Drayton School in Nuneaton, who all share the work they are each doing with children to enable them to connect with, and protect, our environment.

In Warwickshire, transport is the biggest source of carbon emissions.  If this is to improve, new road infrastructure and behaviour change will need to go hand-in-hand. Join us for a conversation on all things roads and cycling, with Dan Morris, Senior Transport Planner at Warwickshire County Council and Hazel Underwood, founder of Warwickshire Cycle Buddies.

Warwickshire has seven Repair Cafés, all offering free repairs of everyday items to keep them in use for longer and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. In this episode, we meet volunteers from Rugby and Kenilworth Repair Cafés and learn more about what they do, and why. 

What is biodiversity, why is it important and what can we do to protect it? Join our host Steve Smith in conversation with Specialist Habitat Rangers James Taylor and Ben Coleman to learn more about the work underway to support biodiversity in Warwickshire's Country Parks.