On 3rd November climate action in Camden and across London more widely was celebrated at a special COP26 event hosted by SamsungKX.

The event brought together over 80 individuals from businesses, community groups and residents to further foster knowledge sharing and collaboration to inspire more climate action.

With the overarching theme of climate justice, the event addressed the four COP26 goals: mitigation, adaption, finance and collaboration.

Councillor Georgia Gould addressed the audience by video link from COP26 in Glasgow. This was followed by an in person address from Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Camden who spoke about progress made so far in Camden with the delivery of the Climate Action Plan and the launch of the Camden Climate Pledge.

It’s no secret that we’re facing a climate emergency which is affecting us fast, so it’s more important than ever we work together to tackle this growing threat. Camden is a leading local authority on the climate agenda, but we know much more needs to be done to make a real difference.

Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Camden

Ebony Holland, Nature and Policy Lead for the International Institute for Environment and Development also dialled in from Glasgow COP26 to set the context of climate justice and report on some of the negotiations that had taken place in the early days of the conference starting.

The Camden Climate Citizen Panel addressed the audience by way of a video with their calls to action of other residents.

During the evening, Chandrima Padmanabhan from Centre for Public impact facilitated an insightful panel debate to help tease out the opportunities and barriers of how organisations and communities can work more effectively to tackle the climate crisis. Panellists included:

• Benaifer Bhandari, CEO of Hopscotch Women’s Centre
• Aliza Ayaz, UN Goodwill Ambassador
• Paul King, Managing Director Sustainability and Social Impact, Lendlease
• Ryan Jude, Programme Director, Green Finance Institute

The debate addressed challenging questions on social and climate injustice and how some basic human needs aren’t being met in Camden with respect to those unable to afford food and with nowhere to live. Emphasis was placed on the need for further collaboration between business, community and third sector to mobilise and finance the scale of action required. It was recognised that even more closer working with local charities is essential given they are already working with and know how to reach some of the most vulnerable people in Camden.

The event closed with networking and a digital showcase of climate action with a particular focus on collaboration between community and businesses, where social impact was also delivered as a co-benefit of climate work.

Thanks to all who submitted case studies for the incredible work on climate action taking place. Look out for these being featured in a special electronic brochure shortly!

Project	Lead organisation
WASTE-FREE, CIRCULAR LOOP CAMDEN	Lifeafterhummus Community Benefit Society
CLEAN, GREEN, COMMUNITY ENERGY	Power Up North London
THE SUSTAINERS	Parliament Hill School
FASHION WITH INTEGRITY – BE NET ZERO	ASOS
PLASTIC FREE WEST HAMPSTEAD	Park The Plastic / Plastic Free West Hampstead
CAMDEN CLEAN AIR INITIATIVE	Camden Clean Air Initiative
WELLBEING WALK	Urban Partners
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN	University College School
KENTISH TOWN LIBRARY OF THINGS	Library of Things Limited
REPOWERING LONDON	Repowering London
CLIMATE RESEARCH IN ACTION	Springer Nature
CAMDEN RECYLING AWARDS	Jump
DIG A LITTLE DEEPER	Torriano Primary School
CAMDEN RECYLING AWARDS	Camden X Google Work Experience
REFUGEE COMMUNITY KITCHEN	Refugee Community Kitchen
THE STORY GARDEN & THE PAPER GARDEN	Global Generation
SOMERSTOWN ENERGY	Francis Crick Institute
RETURNING PACKAGING FOR TAKEAWAY	Club Zero
ENERGY GARDEN	Energy Garden
THINK AND DO	Think and Do, Camden
KINGS CROSS GREEN ROOFS STRATEGY	Argent LLP
SOMERSTOWN ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE EXHIBITION	Somers Town Community Association
GREAT ORMOND STREET PARKLET	Great Ormond Street Hospital
ALARA WHOLEFOODS	Alara Wholefoods
SURPLUS FOOD MEALS FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE	FEAST WITH US & MIND IN CAMDEN
CLARKSON ROW PLANTER SCHEME	Clarkson and Mornington Tenants & Residents Association
LITTLE VILLAGE	Little Village

Thanks to those who supported us to deliver the event:

• SamsungKX
• Feast With Us
• St Mary’s Brewery
• Google
• Waitrose
• ClubZero
• Argent
• Think & Do Camden
• Connoisseur Drycleaners

Access the livestream of the Celebrating Climate Action event recording here

Earlier in the day the Schools Climate Charter was also launched. Find out more about the launch event here.