Manchester Creative Climate Roundtables

Manchester has been leading at the intersection of culture and climate for over a decade. Pioneers from the Manchester Arts Sustainability Team have modelled a city-wide approach to collaborative action that has had a significant influence, not just in the UK, but internationally.

In association with URBACT’s C-Change: Arts & Culture Leading Climate Action in Cities, Julie’s Bicycle is running three roundtables around Earth Day, focused on: decarbonisation, ecological economics and social justice. Each session will comprise a combination of presentations from Julie’s Bicycle as well as leaders and activists from the city of Manchester.

22^nd April AM 10.30 – 12.30 – Decarbonisation and the path to net zero carbon

Decarbonisation means an immediate, rapid and urgent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. The UK has set a target of net-zero by 2050, but we are not on track. The Committee on Climate Change 2050 roadmap demands completely decarbonized electricity generation and massive re-forestation. We know that culture and the arts offer practical and conceptual experiences vital to any attempt to bring about meaningful change. The creative economy must keep apace with this transition – even drive it. This webinar will discuss key approaches for decarbonising cultural buildings and assets, featuring experts, practitioners and policymakers from the Greater Manchester area.

Topic: Decarbonisation and the path to net zero carbon
Time: Apr 22, 2021 10:30 AM London

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22^nd April PM 14.30 – 16.30 – Ecological Economics

Ecological economics is an interdisciplinary field responding to the challenges of governing economic activity in a way that promotes human wellbeing, sustainability, and justice. To act on the twin challenges of nature loss and climate change, whilst rebuilding a fair and prosperous society will require urgent transformation of the ways we organise, produce and consume. Alongside guest experts, this webinar will explore what a sustainable business model could look like and what are the jobs and skills we need to get there. This is an invitation to radically rethink the creative economy so that it is equitable, resilient and environmentally restorative.

Topic: Ecological Economics
Time: 22^nd April, 2021 02:30 PM London

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23^rd April AM 10.30 – 12.30 – Justice: how social justice links to climate and the environment

How we steward our relationship with the natural environment is, at its heart, a question of justice: who gets to pollute, how much and where, who benefits and who pays the costs? What is often recognised as ‘the environmental movement’ in European countries is dominated by the voices and perspectives of the white middle-class. The same can be said of the arts and culture – particularly at leadership level. This glaring, systemic, and overlapping underrepresentation means that the stories and solutions proposed in response to climate breakdown are wholly inadequate and reinforce corrosive inequalities. With expert contributions, this webinar will explore the structures which perpetuate environmental injustice, and ensure cultural leaders and artists have the tools they need to advocate for climate action and justice within the sector and society.

Topic: Justice: how social justice links to climate and the environment
Time: Apr 23, 2021 10:30 AM London

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