Working together to tackle the climate emergency

Wokingham Borough Council is delighted to be working in partnership with Woodley Town Council to organise a series of free events as part of the borough’s first Climate Action Week (18 to 23 November).

The borough council has committed to do as much as possible to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and address the climate emergency. 

Both councils declared climate emergencies in 2019 and the borough council’s latest Climate Emergency Action Plan sets out goals and the current progress for each action.

Climate Action Week will see a variety of events taking place online and in person in order to raise awareness of how residents can contribute positively towards these shared goals.

Inspiring change in our communities

Cllr Jordan Montgomery, executive member for environment and climate emergency for the borough council, said: “We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Woodley Town Council to put a spotlight on the climate emergency. 

“Everyone can and should be involved in helping us to achieve the ambitions we’ve set out, and this week will be a fun and engaging way for our two councils to get that message across in a way that both inspires and informs. We also want this week to showcase how we work successfully with our towns and parishes.”

Climate Action Week will have added significance, as the week coincides with the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29), which runs from 11 to 22 November in Azerbaijan.

Cllr Juliet Anderson, Woodley Town Mayor, said: “It is important that we all play our part in addressing the climate emergency and take accountability for our individual carbon footprints as, collectively, we can make a real difference. 

“Working with the borough council to provide Woodley’s first Climate Action Week provides a great opportunity for us all to access information and take part in interactive sessions to learn more about personal actions accessible to us all.”

How you can get involved

All events are free to attend and open to residents across Wokingham Borough, with booking required in some cases. Here is how you can get involved in Climate Action Week:

Monday 18 November:

• Recycled art workshop for pre-schoolers, 10.30am to 11.30am, the Oakwood Centre*

Tuesday 19 November:

• Woodford Park walk & tour – hosted by Friends of Woodford Park, 10.30am to 12noon, meeting at the Oakwood Centre reception*

Wednesday 20 November:

• Citizen’s Advice mobile advice drop-in, 9.30am to 4pm, Woodley Town Centre
• Charity shop fashion show – organised by Thames Hospice, 12.30pm to 1pm, Centre stage in Woodley Town Centre
• Woodley Repair Café, 2pm to 4pm, the Oakwood Centre (free tea, coffee and biscuits for attendees)
• Electric vehicle webinar – hosted by the Energy Saving Trust, 7pm to 8.30pm, online*

Thursday 21 November:

• Dr Bike session – hosted by My Journey Wokingham, 2.30pm to 3.30pm, Woodford Park Leisure Centre*

Friday 22 November:

• Climate, Cake and Coffee, 11am to 12noon, the Oakwood Centre (voucher for free coffee and cake from Crumbs for attendees) *
• Rolling climate videos, all day, the theatre at the Oakwood Centre

Saturday 23 November:

• Citizen’s Advice mobile advice drop-in, 9.30am to 4pm, Woodley Town Centre
• Climate fresk card game – 10am to 1pm, the Oakwood Centre*
• Community litter pick – hosted by Woodley Adopt a Street, 10am to 2pm, meeting at the Oakwood Centre*

Events marked with a * must be booked in advance. For more information and to book where required, visit the Woodley Town Council website.

In addition to these public events, the two councils will be working with pupils from Woodley primary schools to create a shared climate project, which will then be displayed at the Oakwood Centre. 

Libraries across the borough will also have featured book displays with suggested reading on topics relating to the climate emergency.