The aim of this project was to create an opportunity for people from Brighton, Queens Park Ward to think through the issues on climate change in order to implement a range of energy and water efficiency measures both at home and in businesses. The outcome was meant to raise awareness of climate change issues, reduce CO2 emissions whilst cutting fuel and water bills.

The Project piloted an approach to involve neighbourhoods with different socio economic groupings to come together to inform themselves on climate change and to look at what they as individuals and as a group can do to reduce personal fuel, water and resource consumption and to promote the use of renewable energy. By targeting particular community groups and by running taster courses it provided a first step to learning for people who do not generally access educational programmes.

As a pilot the project was meant to inform regional policy and indicate a model of engagement that can be used in other places.

There is considerable scope for conserving energy and water and for developing the demand for renewable/sustainable energy technologies by the fuel rich and for improving the home environment for families experiencing fuel poverty.

The National Fuel Poverty Indicator suggests that 35% of the households living within the Queens Park Ward are in fuel poverty. This Ward is also the focus of the Healthier Communities & Older People block of the Brighton & Hove pilot Local Area Agreement. There is potential for working with older people as change agents, and looking at the impact of climate change on health and could serve as pilot for an expanded citywide initiative.

Project partners •Brighton & Hove City Council’s Adult Skills and Learning Team •The Council’s Sustainability, Housing & City Support and Neighbourhood Renewal Teams •The Tarner Area Partnership •School of the Environment, University of Brighton •Centre for Research in Innovation Management, University of Brighton •Brighton Business School, University of Brighton •School of Applied Social Science, University of Brighton