More than 100 people from community groups, climate organisations, local authorities and grassroots projects came together in York for the Community Climate Conference 2026.

The event, held on Saturday 11 July, was a day of practical ideas, honest conversations and new connections, with a shared focus on turning climate concern into local action.

Village Green helped organise the conference alongside North Yorkshire Climate Coalition, Friends of the Earth York and York Environment Forum, with support from Friends of the Earth, Community First Yorkshire and The National Lottery Community Fund.

From climate concern to practical action
The programme included keynote speeches, a marketplace of local organisations and six workshops covering climate storytelling, energy and retrofit, food and agriculture, active travel, nature recovery and preparing for the impacts of climate change.

Nigel Topping CMG, Chair of the UK Climate Change Committee, said:

“It takes the whole of society to tackle the climate crisis, and there are people working on every aspect of it. That gives me a lot of hope.”
Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, also reflected on the energy in the room:

“When you bring people together, it renews that energy, that hope and that expectation.”

Local people making a difference
A strong message throughout the day was that everyone has a part to play.

Councillor Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency at City of York Council, said:

“The people who get the work done are all of us individually and collectively. Whether you plant a tree in your own garden, lobby your school or talk to your workplace, we can all take action.”
Tim Larner, Vice Chair of Zero Carbon Harrogate, added:

“If one person can change, then 100 people can change, a thousand people can change. It’s about empowering people to realise that their actions count.”

The conference also gave people the chance to meet others working on similar challenges, share ideas and build stronger links across North Yorkshire and York.

David Howlett, from Malhamdale Environment Group and the North Yorkshire Climate Coalition steering group, said:

“We’re not the silent minority. We’re perhaps a large majority. Coming together to share what you’re doing means we can learn from each other and take more action.”

Watch the highlights
The conference highlights video captures the atmosphere of the day and features reflections from speakers, organisers and attendees.

Watch the Community Climate Conference 2026 highlights video.