Cross-party local climate network UK100 will host its flagship Beyond Targets conference in Birmingham on Friday (13 June).
The conference will demonstrate how ambitious climate action delivers immediate, tangible benefits for local communities beyond sometimes abstract-seeming carbon reduction numbers.
The conference at Austin Court, Birmingham, will see the launch of UK100’s new research report examining the wider benefits of local climate action.
The conference will feature prominent speakers including Stroud District Council Leader, Chloe Turner, Patrick Allcorn, Head of Local Net Zero at DESNZ, and Jamie Clarke, Director of Engaging Climate — and an expert in how to tell compelling local climate stories.
Alongside the clean air session chaired by Alec Peachey, Editorial Director of Transport + Energy, the conference agenda includes practical masterclasses on local area energy planning, the future of British homes, and green finance.
These sessions will be led by experts from organisations including the National Energy System Operator (NESO), National Wealth Fund, Green Finance Institute, and Birmingham City Council.
The green finance masterclass will explore Bristol’s leading City Leap climate investment project with Cllr Martin Fodor, Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee at Bristol City Council.
The Beyond Targets conference comes at a crucial moment for local climate action, with councils facing significant financial pressures and fundamental reorganisation — all whilst the national political discourse around climate action becomes increasingly toxic.
It runs from 9:30am to 4:30pm on Friday 13 June at Austin Court, Birmingham, with networking drinks continuing until 6:30pm. Registration is still open via the Eventbrite platform.
Christopher Hammond, Chief Executive at UK100, said:
“This conference brings together the local leaders who are proving that ambitious climate action can be the fastest route to thriving communities.”
“From Bristol’s £1 billion energy partnership to Leeds’ community retrofit programmes, local leaders are demonstrating that climate action delivers multiple dividends. The challenge now is to scale these approaches and ensure every community can feel the wider benefits.”
Jamie Clarke, Director of Engaging Climate, said:
“After two decades working in climate communication, I’ve learned that people don’t connect with carbon jargon or tonnes of emissions data — they connect with each other. The real breakthrough isn’t when a council hits its net zero target; it’s when a neighbour tells a friend about their lower energy bills, or when a parent notices their child’s asthma easing because the air is cleaner. Change happens in everyday conversations, between trusted voices.”
Jemima Hartshorn, Founder and Director, Mums for Lungs, said:
“Since starting Mums for Lungs in Brixton in 2017, we’ve seen how clean air campaigns succeed when they connect with what parents actually worry about — their children’s health and future. From over 800 School Streets in London to bringing forward the 2030 diesel ban, our wins came from making the invisible visible and the distant immediate. UK100’s research shows exactly why our grassroots approach works: clean air isn’t just about emissions data, it’s about creating streets where children can breathe safely, learn better, and play freely. That’s the transformation communities will fight for.”
Cllr Martin Fodor, Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee at Bristol City Council, said:
“Bristol was the first UK and European local authority to declare a climate emergency, in 2018. Since then through initiatives like the Bristol City Leap Joint Venture — our £1 billion energy partnership — we’re proving that ambitious local leadership works. The EU has just awarded us their Mission Label, recognising our credible climate plans and unlocking access to international finance. UK100’s ‘beyond targets’ message resonates deeply with us — we’ve moved from declaring emergencies to delivering results. From our award-winning heat networks to community energy schemes, we’re showing how climate action creates the blueprint other cities can follow.”
Image from Shutterstock
