Henley leaders taking on collective action on climate resilience

Over 100 local leaders and decision-makers, representing over 80 local organisations, gathered at Henley Town Hall last week for a groundbreaking Community Resilience Briefing focused on preparing the town and surrounding areas for the impacts of climate change. The event, organised and hosted by Greener Henley, in partnership with the Town Council, was seen as a trailblazing event, and has attracted interest from a large number of other groups from across the country, many of whom are keen to learn more about Greener Henley’s approach.

Kate Oldridge, Executive Director of Greener Henley said: “We believe what we are building in Henley is a pioneering model of collective, community-based action and we hope The Henley Model is going to be a groundbreaking one. By bringing together leaders and organisations from across the town, we can create a multiplier effect where many small actions combine to deliver meaningful change. Communities have a vital role to play in tackling climate and nature challenges, both by inspiring local action and by speaking with a stronger, united voice to drive wider systemic change.”

The event brought together leaders and representatives from across Henley and its neighbouring villages, including headteachers, sports leaders, GPs, faith leaders, farmers and business owners, among others. Also in attendance were MP Freddie van Mierlo and Henley’s Mayor, Cllr. Ian Reissmann. Freddie said, “What Greener Henley has done here is fantastic in bringing so many community leaders together so that we can take action as a collective and demonstrate to the rest of the country just what can be done.”

Attendees viewed a 48-minute film, the people’s National Emergency Briefing, hosted by Chris Packham, which outlined the risks posed by the climate and nature crisis and the responses available at national, local and community levels – a stark reality check with but with positive suggestions for ways forward. The screening was followed by an interactive workshop in which participants worked in sector-based groups to explore how Henley and its surrounding communities can strengthen resilience, prepare for future challenges and develop actual practical local responses.

Tim Hoskins, Headteacher at Badgemore Primary School said, “I think this event is really important. I’m impressed there are so many people here. It’s great that people are interested and want to buy into it. The more people who care about this and are aware of the issues, the easier it will be to spread the message. I think community action is the only way forward. As a school, we are currently looking at promoting active travel to school around Henley. We’re looking at ‘park and stride’, car-sharing and anything else to reduce the number of cars on our roads. This can only happen if the community is involved. We have to empower people.”

Mike Barry, Chair of Greener Henley trustees and co-facilitator at the event said: “We wanted to bring together people from across the whole community, not just those already engaged in environmental issues, to discuss how we protect nature and prepare for the realities of a changing climate. The film was a powerful wake-up call and sparked an important conversation about what practical, coordinated action looks like for Henley and the surrounding area.”

The event’s main facilitator was Kate Lloyd, an executive and leadership coach who spoke about clearly and passionately about building resilience and how in our area that tends to focus on flooding. She pointed out that it’s now gone beyond that – we have to consider other aspects such as Geo-political shocks, temperature changes and how that affects things like our food supply. “It’s an amazing privilege to be leading some of the discussions and facilitating people to come together to think about not only what the impacts of the climate crisis are on our local community but how we can orient ourselves to collectively take action that will make a meaningful difference to our resilience and future.” She asked all attendees to, as a minimum, “…be present and go back to your community and share what you have heard.”

The Henley event was inspired by the National Emergency Briefing (NEB), held in London in November last year, where leading experts presented evidence on the climate and nature crisis to an audience of decision-makers, including more than 100 Members of Parliament. The film that was screened, titled the ‘People’s Emergency Briefing’, was produced by the organisers of the NEB and is currently being shown widely in communities across the UK.

Guest speaker at the event was Richard Nugee, a retired army general, whose grandparents lived in Binfield Heath. As one of the experts who spoke at the NEB in London, Richard went on to clarify a number of points about national security – which now encompasses considerations to areas such as food security, water security as well as what happens when areas of the world become less stable. He explained, using the Titanic as an example, that it is vital to see an emergency before it becomes one, so that you can deal with it. He urged people to remember that doing something is better than doing nothing at all and not to lose the initiative, reminding those present that it was David Attenborough who said, “Please make no mistake, climate change is the biggest threat to security that modern humans have ever faced.”

He also said, “If we are looking at trying to develop a movement where it’s not just government doing it, all of us have a part to play and it is utterly reliant on community. We are not going to be able to solve this with top-down diktat. We have to be able to solve it with every person doing just their little bit. Greener Henley epitomises the very best of what we’re trying to do across the country, which is build communities who are interested, aware and therefore communities which can do things together.”

Mike Barry said, “The strong turnout demonstrated the level of interest and concern across the community. Building resilience requires collaboration between organisations, businesses, public bodies and residents. This event was an important step in starting those conversations, identifying practical next steps and encouraging commitments to collective action.”

The Community Resilience Briefing formed part of Greener Henley’s ‘Great Big Green Week’, the charity’s annual event bringing together residents, businesses and community groups through a programme of activities designed to inspire action and strengthen local environmental initiatives that can bring about meaningful change. Kate said, “We are looking to create a positive tipping point. If just 30% of the population commits and shows they want to see change, it’s usually enough to get noticed. 30% really isn’t that much.”

“The importance of this event is not just the discussion itself, but the action that follows. Through our Pledge for the Planet initiative, we are encouraging people, organisations and community groups to make practical commitments that strengthen resilience, protect nature and inspire others to act. When hundreds, or even thousands, of small actions are connected across a community, they become a powerful force for change – drop one pebble in a pond and you get a ripple, the more pebbles the more water you can move!”

Many local organisations have already taken a Pledge for the Planet, including: Henley Town Council, The Kenton Theatre, The Hart Surgery, Badgemore Primary School, Gillotts School, Hallmark Manor Care Home, ADVHQ Gym, Henley Literary Festival and more. For ideas and inspiration or to make your pledge: https://greenerhenley.org.uk/pledge-for-the-planet/