RESIDENTS, community groups, farmers, land owners and local businesses have been invited to an event in Cirencester to share their ideas on how to help tackle local climate challenges. 

Cotswold District Council has partnered with the Countryside and Community Research Institute at the University of Gloucestershire to bring Climathon to the Cotswolds.

Climathon is an event created by independent organisers and organisations where local residents collaborate to tackle local climate challenges. 

It aims to bring farmers, rural citizens, local NGOs, and other key stakeholders together to develop projects focused on food, farming and land use's contribution to net zero.

CDC has decided to host two events, one online and one in person. 

An online webinar will take place between 9.30am and 11am on Wednesday, September 27.

The in-person session will take place at Farm 491 at The Alliston Centre in Stroud Road, Cirencester the following day, Thursday, September 28 between 9am and 5pm.

An optional buffet will also take place between 5pm and 7pm after the event.

Cllr Mike McKeown, cabinet member for climate change and sustainability at Cotswold District Council, said: “I’m so pleased we’re supporting this Climathon, and I’m excited to see the changes our district will make to become net-zero. 

"I’m also delighted that we’re helping the Countryside and Community Research Institute to refine their Climathon method, and help spread it to other rural areas.

“I really urge anyone who is interested in food and farming to join us for the Climathon events in September. 

"This will be an opportunity to speak to others about climate change, learn from experts, and share ideas around how food, farming and land use can help us achieve net-zero as a district.

“The Cotswold Climathon will not only help communities and individual residents to take action themselves, but it will also help to inform the council’s Climate Action Strategy.” 

To sign up to the event visit tinyurl.com/4ye8rf4p