Weathering it together: climate resilience in the West of England

Weathering it together: climate resilience in the West of England 

Our climate is changing, in our region and beyond. From heatwaves to floods and disrupted supply chains and infrastructure, the impacts of climate change on our lives are already being felt, and will only intensify. 

On 6 October, Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership, supported by Bristol Water and the West of England Combined Authority, is hosting a gathering to explore what our region’s climate will look like in the near and longer term, and what we can do about it together. 

Across communities, businesses and the public sector, we will create space to think collectively about how to increase our resilience and help our region thrive in a changing world.

We will be joined by speaker West of England Mayor Helen Godwin, plus community leaders, resilience experts and voices from businesses, communities and the public sector.

Alongside expert speakers and panel discussions, the morning will include interactive breakout sessions tailored for businesses and community organisations, a creative interlude and space to connect over lunch.

Confirmed speakers so far

• Helen Godwin - Mayor of the West of England

• Ben Smith - Associate Director for Climate Resilience at AtkinsRéalis

• Alex Ardalan-Raikes - CEO at Stand Against Racism & Inequality

• Louise Brogan - Environmental Manager at Avon Fire and Rescue Service

• Sanjoy Shah - Consultant in Intensive Care, Medical Director – Innovation and Sustainable Healthcare at Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

• Matthew Sugden - Senior Project Manager at Avon Riversides 2100

• Luke McCullough - Senior Public Policy Manager at Aviva

• Liz Gadd - Freelance climate, poverty, and equity advisor

• Joe Watts - Head of Sustainability and Facilities at Wiper and True

The Gathering will be chaired by Manu Maunganidze - Teacher and Youth Outreach Coordinator at Nature Youth Connection and Education, and Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership Director.

Timings (approximate) 

08:30 Arrivals and tea/coffee 

09:15 Welcome 

09:25 Climate Resilience in the West of England – Speakers and workshops 

10:45 Break 

11:10 Two breakout sessions:

• 'Climate Resilience and Communities' with speaker Liz Gadd - freelance Climate, Poverty, and Equity Advisor, or;

• 'Climate Resilience and Business' with speaker Luke McCullough, Senior Public Policy Manager at Aviva.

12:15 Closing plenary  

12:45 Lunch and networking 

14:00 Close 

Ticket pricing

We have introduced a 'Pay What You Can' price structure for this Gathering. Our hope is that this structure ensures that our events remain accessible to all our members, whilst contributing to the costs of delivering the gathering (including lunch) and our wider programme throughout the year.  

Venue and accessibility information 

The event space is the Rosalind Franklin Room on the second floor and is accessible by wheelchair via two passenger lifts. There is step-free access throughout. There are two accessible toilets and a gender-neutral toilet at the far end of the room. A hearing loop will be available. Guide dogs are welcome. Further access and support information can be found on the We The Curious website.  https://www.wethecurious.org/visit-us/access-and-support

BSL interpretation is available on request, please let us know by 14 September. After this date, BSL interpretation will be dependent on availability of interpreters and cannot be guaranteed. If you have any other questions about the accessibility of the event or you wish to discuss your access needs, please get in touch with us by email on contact@bristolclimatenature.org or by phone or text on 07508 482110.

Sponsored by

Supported by

With thanks to our Supporting Members