According to the Met Office, Worcester recorded its hottest day ever on July 19, 2022.

Four of the five warmest summers on record for England have occurred since 2003, which scientists attribute to human-induced climate change.

It is in recognition of this fact that on Friday September 30, the city council will be hosting Worcester’s first Environmental Sustainability Summit.

The one-day event brings together over one hundred representatives from local businesses, community and campaign groups to share knowledge and pledge action to reduce carbon emissions.

Five themes will be discussed at the Summit: Welcoming electric vehicles to Worcester; decarbonising the city’s homes and buildings; promoting active travel and car share; the journey to zero waste and how best to boost biodiversity.

We’ll be setting out the action which the city council is taking across all these areas.

As well as making a £4.5m investment in active travel over the next three years, we are installing more EV charging points in Worcester, offering grants to help residents insulate their homes, working to improve recycling rates and ensuring that natural habitats are properly protected.

You can find out more about the City Council’s strategy and plans at: www.worcester.gov.uk/climate-emergency

We don’t profess to have immediate solutions to every climate change related issue - our approach is to work in partnership with experts in the field. We are therefore delighted to welcome speakers and panellists to the Summit from Sustainability West Midlands, Act on Energy, RSPB, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, SHIFT, Energy Saving Trust, Worcester BOSCH and many others.

There is increasing recognition that more action is needed.

According to a survey conducted by the Office for National Statistics last October, 75 per cent of adults say they are worried about the impact of climate change.

No one organisation can address this issue in isolation – we will only do so by coming together as a city to share knowledge, plans and pledge positive action.

If your business, community group or organisation is interested in attending the Summit, please email communication@worcester.gov.uk or call 01905 722363 for further information.

Pre-registration is essential as places are limited.