A new People’s Jury on the Climate Change Crisis is set to be held in Blackburn with Darwen.
More than 6,000 randomly-selected households across the borough will soon receive letters inviting them to register to be part of the jury.
It’s being hosted by Blackburn with Darwen Council and jury members will be asked to answer a question on what needs to be done in homes, business and the local area to help tackle the climate change crisis.
The Jury will work over eight weeks to develop recommendations which will help shape future actions right across the borough.
Councillor Zainab Rawat, Assistant Executive Member for Growth and Development and lead for the work on Climate Change, said:
While we’re passionate about driving forward the climate change agenda here at the Council, we know that this work has to be done in collaboration with a range of partners and residents.
The People’s Jury is a chance for us to bring together 30 residents who fully represent our borough to listen to their views so they can help drive forward the climate change agenda locally.
This approach has already proven really successful elsewhere and we’re encouraging people to come forward to register to be part of it here in Blackburn with Darwen.
No previous experience or knowledge is needed and we’re looking for people with a whole different range of views and experiences – from those who are very concerned about climate change to those who are less concerned.
Blackburn with Darwen Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and set a goal of being carbon neutral by 2030.
It’s since shared a Climate Change Action Plan and is working on ways it can help contribute towards things like reducing emissions.
Just this week, it’s launched a brand new campaign to encourage residents to reduce food waste which is a significant contributor towards climate change globally.
Councillor Rawat added:
The stark reality is that we are facing a climate change emergency.
We know that there’s changes we can all be making and we want to do everything we can to support our residents, businesses and partners to think about what role they can all play to contribute.
The People’s Jury will be a really interesting experience for those who are chosen to be involved and I can’t wait to see it start and the recommendations that come from it.
The 6,000 households who are set to receive the invite to register for the People’s Jury have been chosen completely at random.
Of those who respond, 30 who represent the diversity of the borough, including age, gender, ethnicity, where people live and attitude to climate change, will be chosen to take part.
The People’s Jury will meet over 30 hours starting in October and finishing in December.
All participants will receive £250 in vouchers as a thank you for their time.
Shared Future, one of the UK’s leading experts in organising People’s Juries will be facilitating and running the sessions.
