Cumbria Climate Assembly Charter

Recommendation 1

Elected representatives must lead on climate by actively listening and learning. They should:

• Proactively engage constituents through polls, meetings and outreach.
• Attend local assemblies and complete regular climate training.

Recommendation 2

Local Plans improvement:

• Align and promote public consultation across all Local Plans.
• Empower councils to set stronger climate rules and lobby for change.

Recommendation 3

Focus on the benefits of climate action - not just the costs.

• Everyone has a role to play: MPs, councils, communities and individuals.

Recommendation 4

Create a central hub for climate action in Cumbria.

• A shared space for information, collaboration, and community feedback.

Recommendation 5

Include a carbon impact assessment in all key decisions.

• Local authorities must show how climate is considered in every policy and plan.

Recommendation 6

Involve the public before infrastructure plans are made.

• Ringfence funding for early engagement through citizens’ assemblies or independent bodies.

Recommendation 7

Give young people space, voice and influence.

• Organisations should follow the Lundy Principles to ensure meaningful involvement.

Recommendation 8

Make climate change a core part of education.

• Young people need the knowledge and tools to influence decisions and take action.

Recommendation 9

Pilot a standing climate assembly for Cumbria.

• Include all ages, guide decisionmakers, and embed it into formal local governance.

Recommendation 10

Make the planning system easier to understand and navigate.

• Use infographics, webinars, and training — and follow Assembly principles for transparency.

Recommendation 11

Protect the right to protest and be heard.

• Repeal anti-protest laws and open up communication between government and citizens.

Recommendation 12

Involve communities through creative, accessible methods.

• Use tools like participatory budgeting, debates, and citizen media.
• Hold open events and crowdfund local ideas via platforms like Spacehive.

Recommendation 13

Make climate decisions more democratic and transparent.

• Support proportional representation and free votes, and hold MPs accountable for funding Cumbria’s 2037 targets.
• Increase scrutiny and publish data on lobbying and political donations.

Recommendation 14

Take responsibility for your climate impact.

• Report emissions, raise awareness, and support climate action groups.
• Appoint a climate officer and engage customers on sustainability.

Recommendation 15

Join up sustainability and engagement, and empower citizens to act.

• Report impact, align teams, and let shareholders shape priorities.
• Roll out carbon literacy across sectors, with big businesses backing smaller ones.

Recommendation 16

Use creative approaches to involve everyone. Festivals, theatre, roadshows and more to spark interest.Make climate engagement fun, visible and inclusive.

Recommendation 17

Use shareholder power to push for change.

• Shareholders can demand environmental action.
• Campaigners should target polluting companies via AGMs.