COP26 Regional Climate Roadshow jointly hosted by MEABC

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (MEABC) and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council this week hosted a COP26 Regional Climate Roadshow event aimed at raising awareness and understanding of climate change among residents and businesses.

This event, which took place on Monday 8 November, coincided with the ‘Adaption, Loss and Damage’ themed day at the Glasgow COP26 Conference, which focussed on delivering the practical solutions needed to adapt to climate impacts and address loss and damage.

Key speakers provided updates on emerging climate science, the local business perspective, how Council is responding to the climate change agenda and how the public can get involved. 

The event also involved personal accounts from local residents about the impact of severe weather on their homes and health and wellbeing. 

Representatives from the Met Office, Climate NI, Rivers Agency, GenComm, Energia, Natural World Products, Bryson Recycling, MyNI, Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs, Mayors and Council officers, were among those who presented on the day.

The event was attended in person by elected members at Clotworthy House in Antrim Castle Gardens, with over 280 attendees joining online.

Feedback from attendees and participating organisations was overwhelmingly positive, said Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor William McCaughey, who also launched the borough’s first Climate Change video during the event.

Speaking during the roadshow, the Mayor continued:

"The video highlights the impact extreme weather is already having on Council operations and communities and how we can be better prepared for this in the future.

"Today’s event raises awareness of the risks and opportunities that climate change brings to our borough and what we must do to prepare for the risks and make the most of the opportunities. We look forward to building on this engagement and sharing knowledge with our businesses and communities.

"Climate change is at the top of Council’s agenda, and Council is committed to reducing our impact now and preparing for the days ahead. Our Climate Change Working Group are not only dedicated to raising awareness of the impacts of climate change, both on our services and our wider community, but to action things that can be achieved now, in the near future and in the longer term, to safeguard our services and to build up resilience within our communities.

"Council have ensured that our activities are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and our carbon footprint has been reduced every year since our formation in 2015. We are delighted to hold the highest environmental performance for a Council in the 2020 NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey.

"We are grateful for the support from Climate NI, Sustainable NI and other partners and agencies in the development of Council's Climate Action and Adaption Plan.

"Council continue to protect our biodiversity to help to reduce the impacts of climate change and involve our local communities, to work together to shape our borough and create a better future for all."

The COP26 Regional Climate Roadshow event and the Mid and East Antrim Climate Adaption video can be viewed at:

https://www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/council/policies-and-documents/cop26

Our Corporate and Community Resilience Officer also contributed to a new RCRG Climate Change video in collaboration with other Councils and multi-agencies: https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/articles/regional-community-resilience-group