THE JOINT organisers of the COP26 East Hampshire Conference aimed at addressing global warming locally say it’s likely the event in Alton will reveal a bigger role for residents in combating climate change.

The one-day event in The Maltings on October 8 comes just before the international climate change summit in Glasgow, and is aimed at discovering, and revealing, what residents and businesses can do here to mitigate climate change.

East Hampshire District Council and county council member Rob Mocatta and East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds are coordinating the event, that will be advised by three interest groups now looking at relevant issues.

Cllr Mocatta said: “My expectation is the three groups – which are looking at buildings, transport and land use and agriculture – will come up with suggestions of actions residents, businesses and councils can take locally to help combat climate change.

“I imagine there will be lots of little things residents will be able to do that will cumulatively have a bigger impact on accelerating decarbonisation across the district.

“There will be concrete things we actually do as residents, probably including ones we hadn’t thought of before.

“We, or anyone, can’t order people do things – but we can offer suggestions, advice and ideas that people can try in an effort to influence climate change positively.

“There is broad support from parts of the community for decarbonisation, but this is an issue for everyone and we want to widen the base of those involved.

“Among the young, schools are giving enormous help in raising awareness.

“We just need awareness to be spread further into communities. This involves us all.”

Anyone keen to find out more about the event or the opportunity to exhibit should contact [email protected].

More details, and information on how to register, will be published in September.