Despite the scale of the risks facing the UK today from climate change, there has been no comprehensive national emergency briefing delivered to the public by the Government.

So an event was held in London at the end of last year, where ten of the UK’s leading experts briefed an invited audience of more than 1,200 politicians and leaders from business, culture, faith, sport and the media.

Its purpose was to demonstrate what a clear, evidence-led national emergency briefing could look like and why it’s needed.

In the words of Nick Oldridge who co-led this gathering at Westminster of the great and the good, “We always knew a second part was coming. We would leave this calling card and then come back with phase two, which is about going via constituencies to get to the MPs.”

What has followed from April this year is a wave of community screenings across the UK based on the content of this national emergency briefing.

Inevitably, the public reaction is igniting a much bigger conversation.

Yes, we need our MPs to step up and represent the silent majority who not only are concerned about the climate crisis and the risks to everyday life but also want bolder action to ensure our safety.

However, this is too important to be left to politicians.

Many leaders and volunteers in local communities have already put measures in place to curb carbon emissions; adapt to the impacts of extreme weather events; increase their community’s resilience and regenerate the local environment.

The bigger conversation is about what more we can do about this emergency right now, in the places where we live and work. How to copy what’s already working because we don’t have time to reinvent the wheel. As Nick says in our latest podcast episode, we’ve got the tools to do the job in hand; we don’t need to wait for something to be invented or for someone to give us permission.

Having watched this briefing at a local screening in Newham, I was glad to chat with the people around me afterwards. It doesn’t pull any punches and I felt bruised by what the experts had to say. It’s by design and not accident that we are encouraged to watch this film together – so we can discuss how we feel and what we can do about it.

As much as anything shared at the end in the film, the sense of hope from the briefing comes from the interactions afterwards in the room and in the months that follow. That’s when the real message hits home, that we’re here because we care. And when people care, there’s no stopping them.

If you’re curious to hear more from Nick and get a feel for one of these local screenings, please listen (or watch) our latest Carbon Copy Podcast episode, A Local National Emergency.

You’ll have the backdrop and inside view on the National Emergency Briefing at Westminster as well as be a fly on the wall as Isabelle helps organise and host her community screening in Wymondham, Norfolk.

If you would like to learn more about hosting the film in your own area, head over to this useful page about screening the People’s Emergency Briefing.

And if you feel ready to act, or are already doing great stuff, please turn to our high-impact climate action guide, From Footprint to Changeprint, that helps you work more effectively with others so you can make an even bigger impact together.

From 6–14 June 2026, communities across the UK will come together for Great Big Green Week – the UK’s biggest celebration of community action for climate and nature.

What is Great Big Green Week?

This is more than simply a week of awesome events led by local people up and down the country. It’s an occasion that creates visibility for hundreds of community organisations and generates extra support for the great work they’re already doing.

It might be locally-led, but the scale is national. In 2025, around 1.2 million people took part during the week to show that they care about climate and nature. This year, the number is expected to be closer to 2 million.

Green festivals. Swaps and repairs. Nature walks. Gardening days. Charity shop takeovers. Farm tours. Panel discussions. Sustainable fashion shows. Green town markets. Just some of thousands of events.

What are the benefits?

Great Big Green Week works not only for the organisations involved but also in bringing people together who ordinarily are less involved. Last year, over one-third of participants attended their first-ever climate or nature event and connected with a hosting organisation for the first time. That’s how things multiply!

In the words of Helen Meech, Executive Director of The Climate Coalition that’s behind this incredible mass participation event:

“What stays with me about Great Big Green Week is how often people arrive for one reason, to fix a kettle, learn about their local birds, meet a neighbour, and leave with something bigger. A conversation that carries on. A habit that shifts. A community that feels a little more connected. That’s the ripple effect, and it’s where lasting change really begins.“

What makes this big green week great is the Changeprint it’s creating and, as Helen mentions, the ripple effect caused by people joining together for good. Imagine not only the reduction in carbon emissions and boost to nature from all the varied activities but the wider good that’s generated.

Stronger community ties from people gathering together and discovering common interests, resulting in millions of new connections.

Healthier environments for everyone, created by those who go on to restore and look after green spaces or to grow and share more food locally, that continues to improve the wellbeing of the whole community.

Changing perceptions about what’s normal as normal people show up and join in.

Positive political pressure to keep the climate and nature crisis top of mind and to represent the majority of the population who are concerned about the climate crisis and want more action not less.

Get involved

But we don’t have to imagine. This is your invitation to help make it happen. Together, we can show what’s possible when we act in our communities and create our own Changeprint.

Save the date: 6–14 June 2026

Find out more and how to get involved: www.greatbiggreenweek.com

Changeprint is seen as a positive antidote to the Net Zero discourse.

A new change maker has downloaded the report every working hour.

Hundreds of organisations are creating a Changeprint.

Just three of the headlines that indicate the appetite for a new narrative about tackling the climate crisis and a willingness to take things into our own hands.

Changeprint is seen as a positive antidote to the Net Zero discourse.

Changeprint is simply a way to talk about the wider benefits of collective local climate action beyond reducing carbon emissions. Less about reducing your carbon footprint. More about the positives from collaborating with other people, through work or in your community.

“Changeprint is such a wonderful, positive approach to shaping a better future together. We immediately started working out where we can talk about it in our Carbon Literacy course!” Kate Stansfield – Carbon Literacy trainer

To quote Oliver Balch, a journalist who contributes to the FT, The Guardian and Reuters among others, Changeprint is an “excellent antidote to the Net Zero discourse”. Why? Because Net Zero is divorced from everyday concerns and is becoming a political dividing line, not something that brings people together.

As we listen to the chatter online about Changeprint, we’ve heard an overwhelmingly positive response to the idea. The idea that we can make the place around us better by acting together strikes a chord with a lot of people and is appealing when there’s so much apparent divisiveness in the news.

A new change maker has downloaded the report every working hour.

From Footprint to Changeprint is a new research report and action guide, created to help local change makers deliver climate and nature action more effectively.

Since publication in mid-March, on average, a new change maker has downloaded this guide every working hour! Looking at who’s using the report, these change makers come from organisations of all shapes and sizes, from the public, private and third sector. What they have in common is a willingness to work with other groups locally to create a bigger Changeprint.

“Changeprint and Carbon Copy’s new report are timely resources that support the urgent, on-the-ground response to the National Emergency Briefing.”
Daniel Stunell – Managing Consultant at Eunomia

This new report complements Climate Emergency UK’s Council Climate Action Scorecard work, giving councils effective ways to engage with the wider public to deliver on area-wide goals for climate and nature.

It’s also being used as a useful ‘next steps’ resource in People’s Emergency Briefings around the UK, for people who are ready to act.

Hundreds of organisations are creating a Changeprint.

Over 600 organisations have shared their climate action stories on Carbon Copy and each one is creating a Changeprint. This is the tip of the iceberg.

The impact is getting bigger, faster, not by organisational growth but by other groups and organisations copying what works. This healthy way of growing mimics nature’s genius for encouraging diversity and multiplicity.

“We frequently hear questions like, ‘How can we make a bigger impact, we’re just a small parish?’ The Changeprint action guide is generating some strong, very positive answers.” Graham Stoddart-Stones – The Great Collaboration; parish councillor

The power of proliferation is two-fold: when they succeed, solutions are quickly copied and adapted; if they fail, they fail on a manageable scale with a multitude of backups already in place elsewhere. The power of this new Changeprint report is in the support it provides to a multitude of different people, strengthening the factors for success in their own work.

About us

Carbon Copy is a UK climate charity. We believe the fastest way to create change is to share it. We tap into a powerful truth: copying is human nature. When action is visible and easy to replicate, it spreads.

Since we started in 2020, we’ve gathered a national collection of climate action stories; produced a popular podcast and blog about collective action; and supported capacity building for organisations across public, private and third sectors. 

In collaboration with our partners, Carbon Copy’s aim is to engage one million more people in local climate action by 2030. We’d like to change the climate narrative into something more positive and show how Changeprint can bring people together.

Where we go from here is up to you. Please share our resources with others who you think will benefit and send us any feedback at [email protected]

Carbon Copy was born out of a realisation that place-based, collaborative environmental initiatives are an important and under-recognised tool in our efforts to address the climate and nature emergencies. We’ve always marked Earth Day, but rarely has the theme given to this global awareness day felt so relevant to our work in the UK. 

“Our Power, Our Planet” is, according to the day’s organisers, about highlighting the “role of collective action in shaping environmental outcomes beyond formal governance structures alone.” 

Within this theme, are two pillars, the first of which is about local resilience.  

What is local resilience? 

When it comes to local environmental action, resilience can have multiple meanings. A resilient community is one that is physically safe and protected from the impacts of climate change. Where the population is prepared for extreme weather events (flooding, heatwaves, drought) and where adaptations are in place, or at least in progress, so that people are able to continue with their way of life. 

But resilience isn’t just about climate. Resilient projects and organisations are those that can weather different kinds of storms. That are agile, pragmatic, resourceful and collaborative. Organisations like those we spoke to, as part of our in-depth research into the shared characteristics of the most successful environmental initiatives in the UK. 

Remarkably common 

In our report, “From Footprint to Changeprint,” we uncovered 12 success factors that are common amongst high-impact local climate and nature projects. These were grouped under three core characteristics: Abundance, Belonging and Purpose; all of which are fundamentally important to the idea of building local resilience. 

Initiatives that embrace a mindset of Abundance are more resilient by appreciating and embracing the people, knowledge and resources available to them. They are not beholden to intermittent funding or temporary government support, rather they build their success and resilience around what they have and what they can develop through creativity, resourcefulness and a willingness to bring different voices and groups to the table. 

Secondly, initiatives enacted with a sense of Belonging help local people and stakeholders to feel valued and to value the efforts of those leading the work. A project that is serving specific local needs and concerns is more likely to flourish long-term, and will benefit from the buy-in of those it serves. Projects that are inclusive, give participants a feeling of ownership and engage the wider community are more likely to create lasting positive impact. 

Finally, taking a Purposeful approach to implementing projects also helps build resilience locally. Organisations that are pragmatic and prepared for different eventualities last longer and can do more. In taking this deliberate approach, our research uncovered the importance of learning by doing, and from mistakes and challenges, to propel a project forward to greater success. 

Through the 600 or so climate action stories in our national collection, through our Changeprint research and through the conversations with changemakers that fed into our report; we’ve established clear evidence of a groundswell of highly collaborative, remarkably resilient and genuinely impactful local initiatives across the UK.  

The roots of power 

We launched Changeprint earlier this year because we wanted some way to qualify and quantify what we’ve known for years: the narrative that the climate and nature emergencies are unsolvable is false. The story that we are powerless is fiction. The message that we should wait for action from the top is dangerous. The change we so desperately want is within not beyond our reach. 

The meaning of this year’s Earth Day theme is clear. What’s happening on a global level doesn’t need to derail efforts on the ground; indeed place-based initiatives are fundamentally protecting communities in a way that national and international policy often fails to.  

The initiatives shared on Carbon Copy and those that have contributed to our research are living proof of the power of collective action to affect positive change and build resilience.  

To learn more about how, download From Footprint to Changeprint now. 

FAQs

What is local resilience in environmental action?
Local resilience in environmental action refers to the ability of communities to prepare for, respond to and adapt to challenges such as climate change and wider social or economic pressures. This includes practical measures like preparing for extreme weather, as well as building strong, adaptable local organisations and networks. A resilient community is one that can continue to function, support its people and maintain progress even when faced with disruption.

How do local climate projects build resilience in communities?
Local climate projects build resilience in communities by strengthening local networks, encouraging collaboration and focusing on real, place-based needs. These initiatives bring people together to address challenges such as flooding, heat or access to resources, while also building long term capacity. By developing skills, relationships and shared ownership, projects create a foundation that helps communities respond more effectively to future challenges.

Why is collective action important for building resilience?
Collective action is important for building resilience because it brings together different skills, perspectives and resources to tackle complex challenges. When communities work together, they are better able to adapt, problem solve and sustain progress over time. This shared approach also builds trust and engagement, which are essential for maintaining momentum and ensuring that projects continue to deliver impact.

What role do local organisations play in strengthening resilience?
Local organisations play a key role in strengthening resilience by leading initiatives, coordinating efforts and responding to the specific needs of their communities. They act as hubs for collaboration, helping to connect people, ideas and resources. Their ability to remain flexible, resourceful and community-focused allows them to adapt to changing circumstances and continue delivering positive outcomes.

How does local action contribute to national strength?
Local action contributes to national strength by creating resilient, well-connected communities that are better equipped to handle challenges. When many local initiatives are working effectively, their combined impact strengthens the overall capacity of the country to respond to environmental, social and economic pressures. This bottom-up approach shows that meaningful change can be driven at a local level while supporting wider national resilience.

Since launching Carbon Copy nearly six years ago, we’ve discovered hundreds of examples of collective local action with impressive positive impacts for climate and nature, taking place all across the UK. What’s become clear, however, is that these projects and organisations are doing so much more than tackling carbon emissions; and in many cases the positive climate outcomes of the work are not even the primary focus. 

As we mark this year’s Earth Day, and its theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” we’re conscious that the current context – where interconnected issues around equality, economic instability, political and cultural divisions are often at the forefront of people’s minds – creates a need for climate and nature action to be portrayed in a different way. Instead of action aiming for the intangible and uninspiring goal of “Net Zero”, we instead need to paint a vision of a future that is peaceful, fair, healthy and prosperous; where climate and nature outcomes, whilst significant, are incidental. 

Within the “Our Power, Our Planet” theme, are two pillars. Resilience and Institutional Continuity and Shared Interests and Interconnected Outcomes. This second pillar speaks to the power of environmental action to create impacts that extend far beyond a reduction in carbon emissions. These wider and profuse “interconnected outcomes” can also be described as a Changeprint, the new term to talk about the wider benefits of collective local action.  

Our March 2026 report From Footprint to Changeprint provides insight into how groups and organisations can grow their impact. Working with sustainability consultancy Eunomia, we conducted an in-depth analysis of high-impact projects from across the UK, each one creating a Changeprint and each one achieving multiple positive outcomes beyond reducing carbon emissions. 

Everything, everywhere, all at once. 

The idea for our research project was sparked during our year-long campaign: 25 Big Local Actions, which uncovered 25 different ways in which people can make a difference in the place where they live or work. During the campaign we uncovered dozens of incredible stories from across the UK, of people who had taken their passion, their skills, and their concern for a specific local issue, and who had joined with others to do something about it.  

In speaking to these changemakers on the Carbon Copy Podcast and as part of the campaign, we started to identify some fundamental similarities. We hypothesised that if we could define these shared attributes of success and provide an action guide, then others could also accomplish everything they had achieved. 

What has been fascinating in both our coverage of 25 Big Local Actions, and in conducting this research, is the enormous diversity of people and organisations involved in local climate and nature initiatives. In fact, one of the headline conclusions of the study has been that “success is possible everywhere”. Regardless of geography, organisation type or size or project focus; local action is bringing irrefutable positive change across the whole of the UK. 

Needs must… 

Returning to the Earth Day pillar then, our findings clearly indicate that shared interests and shared values are fundamental to successful local projects. A clear understanding of local needs – a sense of belonging – and a willingness to partner and collaborate across a wide range of stakeholders and organisations is also crucial.  

In several cases the projects we included in the research did not primarily identify as “climate projects.” They were addressing needs around health and wellbeing, air quality, access to food or transport, warmer homes, better educational opportunities. Whatever those behind the project had established would make the biggest difference locally.  

Every high-impact climate project has multiple interconnected outcomes. Each is creating an impressive Changeprint. In most cases these projects are reducing carbon emissions; but to focus on that, and that alone, is to do a disservice to their remarkable and far-reaching impact. 

To learn more about embracing a broader definition of local climate success, download From Footprint to Changeprint now. 

FAQs

What is a Changeprint in the context of Earth Day 2026?
A Changeprint in the context of Earth Day 2026 refers to the wider impact created by local climate and nature action, beyond carbon reduction alone. It captures the broader benefits that projects bring to communities, including improvements in health, wellbeing, local economies and social connection. This concept helps shift the focus towards real, visible outcomes that people experience in their everyday lives.

How does local climate action create wider community benefits?
Local climate action creates wider community benefits by addressing practical, everyday challenges alongside environmental goals. Many projects focus on issues such as access to food, cleaner air, better transport or warmer homes, which directly improve quality of life. As a result, these initiatives deliver multiple positive outcomes at once, making climate action more relevant, inclusive and impactful for local communities.

Why is Earth Day 2026 focusing on more than carbon emissions?
Earth Day 2026 is focusing on more than carbon emissions to reflect the growing need for climate action to connect with people’s immediate concerns and priorities. In a context shaped by economic pressures and social challenges, focusing only on carbon can feel distant or abstract. Highlighting wider benefits such as fairness, health and prosperity helps make climate action more meaningful and motivating.

What does the theme “Our Power, Our Planet” represent?
The theme “Our Power, Our Planet” represents the collective ability of communities to create positive change. It emphasises shared interests and interconnected outcomes, showing that when people work together, they can achieve results that benefit both the environment and society. This approach reinforces the idea that local action plays a vital role in shaping a better future.

What makes local climate projects successful across different communities?
Local climate projects are successful across different communities when they respond to local needs and bring people together around shared goals. The research highlights that success is possible in any location, regardless of size or resources, when projects focus on collaboration, relevance and community engagement. By building on local strengths and priorities, these initiatives are able to create meaningful and lasting impact.

How do some local projects achieve such remarkable success?

Carbon Copy wanted to look beyond funding and understand the role of collaboration and other factors that help communities, organisations and local councils achieve real impact together and create a bigger Changeprint. So we asked a research team at global sustainability consultancy Eunomia¹, led by Daniel Stunell, to dig deep and find out.

We have the answer! The research findings are shared a new report, From Footprint to Changeprint: High-Impact Local Climate  Action Guide, and are also discussed in a special episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast.

The most exciting finding? Success appears possible everywhere and the success factors identified in the action guide can be copied.

Carbon Copy asked Daniel to reflect on some of the wider implications of this far-reaching piece of research.

CC: Why is climate action about more than carbon reduction?

DS: Carbon reduction is of course essential. It’s one big motivator for people to get involved in local action in the first place. But carbon reduction is the end result, and how we get there matters too. There’s scope for significant local – and larger scale – environmental benefits beyond carbon, and the nature restoration projects we looked at in the research were particularly inspiring. And the way of working creates benefits for volunteers, participants, and the wider community.

Actually doing things, and doing things together, is good for all of us, mentally, physically, and socially. And when we build stronger relationships and thriving communities, our capacity to act effectively on climate will grow too. It’s a win-win.  

CC: Why is place so important in taking effective local action?

DS: Our communities are unique – the people, the places, and the relationships between them. They also matter deeply to us, whether we realise it or not. The people that live and work in an area know it best – what will work and what won’t. It’s also possible to see progress, which is highly motivating, and it may be possible to engage people that are not focused on climate in the effort, because they too can see all the rewards.

One of the case studies we looked at, Haugheys Bog, knew the community needed to understand what they were doing and run educational activities to explain the importance of peatlands and how best to restore them. They target a wide audience, including schools and companies. This helps turn scientific knowledge into local, practical action – it’s a great example of linking the local to the global. Peatland generally is hugely important as a global carbon store – and Haughey’s Bog is hugely important to the community for a whole host of other reasons too.

CC: How is collective action greater than the sum of indivduals’ action?

DS: There’s things we can do as individuals. But if you persuade a friend to do the same, you’ve doubled your impact. You’re probably also both more likely to stick with it. Scale that up to community level, and the benefits keep multiplying. But crucially there are some things that we just can’t do alone. Ideas like share and repair or tool libraries work precisely because we’re coming together to share knowledge and tools – and I’d say this is a feature of a lot of the projects we looked at.

I truly believe we’re sociable by nature. Acting alone is often harder and more tiring, especially if something is challenging. Doing it together can be fun, inspiring, and, frankly, hopeful. That’s how effort is sustained, new ideas emerge, and a Changeprint grows. 

CC: Can the success factors you have identified be copied?

DS: Yes! We talked a lot as a research team about how to frame and describe the ideas that emerged from the research. We’ve talked a lot above about the importance of unique local contexts and knowledge – and that’s true. But we think that relates to deciding how to realise these success factors in situ, rather than whether they will be beneficial.

As an example, the success factor of ‘Wide Community Engagement’ is always fascinating to me. It’s essential – people make projects, multiple organisations bring more resources and knowledge, and buy-in from the wider community matters, even where people aren’t participating so actively. But how you build that engagement is often highly dependent on existing local networks, relationships, and understanding of how to speak to people in ways that really connect. There’s no shortage of different ways to how projects do this, and find their fellow changemakers.But it’s essential that it happens.

CC: Success is possible everywhere. Why did that not surprise you?

DS: The core ingredients to successful local climate action are the people, the place and the solutions, and these exist in every community. Every community has assets to build on, local knowledge, community networks, businesses, public institutions and natural resources.We deliberately selected case studies for this project that were ‘normal’ – these projects are exceptional and unique because the people and communities have made them that way, not because of special starting conditions. 

Carbon Copy’s Big Local Actions for example can be adopted everywhere – the solutions will be tailored, and the actions seen as most valuable might vary by community. But the underlying ideas remain. Every community has scope to organise, collaborate, take ownership and make a change. And the more you do, the easier it gets (or perhaps the more ambitious you get!). More people means more ideas and energy, and communities adapt ideas and learn from each other too – we very much hope this project contributes to that.

CC: How can this report help people make a bigger impact?

DS: We’ve deliberately written it as an action guide rather than a technical research report. Using the success factors as a checklist when thinking about building local projects will be helpful to many.

I also want to acknowledge that local groups have a lot of wisdom – many will be instinctively doing many of the things in this guide. But thinking about them explicitly may help local groups explain to potential partners how a project will work, and perhaps make it more likely projects can get the buy-in and support needed.

Fundamentally, this guide should help people identify how to take more effective action – and there is demand for that. For example, the National Emergency Briefing on the severity and imminence of climate change in the UK has been turned into a short film, for community showings around the country throughout 2026. That will obviously cause many people to ask, ‘what can we do?’. There’s resources out there that can answer that, such as Carbon Copy’s Big Local Actions.

From Footprint To Changeprint primarily addresses the next obvious question: ‘how do we do it?’. When faced with the climate crisis, the best response is taking action, together. And this is very much a guide to help make that action count. 

CC: Anything else you would like to add?

DS: The climate crisis is big and daunting. If we want change, we will find making change together is a real multiplier both in terms of what we can do, and in terms of the benefits that brings. We will reduce carbon, yes, but we will also encourage greener, healthier, happier, more connected, and thriving communities – which in turn will make us stronger when it comes to taking more action.

So, my final comment is a big thank you to changemakers up and down the country that are already building a better future – and especially those that shared their insights with us for this study. There’s enormous knowledge and expertise out there in our communities, and I hope this report helps share and mobilise even more of it. Speaking – and listening to – the changemakers we interviewed talk about how they did it and what worked for them was a really rewarding element of the research. 

¹Eunomia are an independent, B-Corp Certified research consultancy, who work extensively on Circular Economy, Natural Economy and Carbon Reduction with government, businesses and NGOs. Eunomia work locally and nationally, across all four UK nations, and overseas.

Abundance – not a word on everyone’s lips at the moment, is it? And yet here at UK charity Carbon Copy, we’re very excited about it. Because our latest research reveals it is one of three defining characteristics which give the most successful local collective climate and environment projects their power.

As you’re probably still scratching your head a bit, let’s unpack the idea. It comes out of an important new research report, ‘From Footprint to Changeprint‘, conducted by Eunomia for Carbon Copy.

In contrast to the negative focus on your carbon footprint, Changeprint captures all the positive benefits of collective action beyond carbon reduction – economic, health, social, educational and cultural – that also contribute towards greater fairness and a better place to live.

This report lays out the many ways that energetic, committed and effective collective action in local communities, even without additional funding, has been very successful in tackling the climate and nature crises, despite faltering progress at a national level.

After a deep qualitative and quantitative review over five months, Eunomia identified three core characteristics of high-impact local climate action projects across the UK: a mindset of Abundance, a strong sense of Belonging and a Purposeful approach.

The power of each characteristic becomes clear when we group their four related success factors that were also identified in this research study.

The notion of Abundance is about projects that may be cash-constrained relying instead on four other success factors: Creativity, Cross-Sector Collaboration, Participatory Leadership and Resourcefulness. (I have explored the equally powerful Belonging and Purpose characteristics in separate blogs – just click on the links.)

Clearly, having sufficient financial resources is a key enabler. But the secret of Abundance is not about financial resources. It is the mindset which has enabled all these projects to find ways around having only limited, or in some cases no funds at all!

As it says in the research report: “The mindset of Abundance is empowering because it shifts the focus away from constraints and scarcity to the almost limitless power of collective human energy.”

Or as Kate Collier, Bike Bus Project Lead at Bike Worcester puts it:

“I really love the concept of Abundance – it means so much for us as a small organisation that doesn’t have streams of money. We’re so rich in creativity, in people with ideas and love for the project. Also in people who are willing to help lead and to shape the development of other people involved in the project. It’s been really crucial that our Bike Bus Leaders have supported other people to step up, to be the next generation of Bike Bus Leaders, and to believe that they can do it in their community. That’s what Abundance means for us: being able to take that seed, that idea – the energy, buzz and creativity – and help empower others to bring all that into their area of Worcester.”

The research reveals that success is possible everywhere and the report has been put together as an action guide to help organisations of all types succeed in creating a bigger Changeprint. If you think these insights could support you in strengthening your existing project, or in creating a new successful collaboration in your area, do please download the report here.

FAQs

What does ‘abundance’ mean in local climate action?
Abundance in local climate action refers to a mindset that shifts the focus away from financial constraints and towards the strengths already present within a community. In the context of this research, abundance in local climate action is about recognising the value of creativity, collaboration, leadership and shared energy. Projects that embrace this mindset are able to move forward and create meaningful impact, even when funding is limited or unavailable. By focusing on what is possible rather than what is missing, communities can unlock new ideas, empower individuals to take ownership and build momentum that sustains long term environmental and social change.

How does the Changeprint concept differ from a carbon footprint?
The Changeprint concept differs from a carbon footprint by capturing the full range of positive outcomes created through climate action, rather than focusing solely on emissions reduction. While a carbon footprint measures environmental impact in terms of carbon output, Changeprint includes wider benefits such as improved public health, stronger local economies, increased social connection, educational opportunities and cultural value. This broader perspective helps organisations and communities understand the true impact of their work, making it easier to communicate success, build support and inspire further collective action.

What are the key characteristics of successful local climate projects?
The key characteristics of successful local climate projects, as identified in the research, are abundance, belonging and purpose. Each of these characteristics plays a distinct role in driving impact. Abundance encourages resourcefulness and creativity, belonging strengthens community engagement and shared ownership, and purpose provides clear direction and motivation. Together, these characteristics create a strong foundation for projects to grow and succeed. They also support the development of key success factors such as empowered leadership, wide collaboration and the ability to adapt and evolve over time.

Can climate projects succeed without significant funding?
Climate projects can succeed without significant funding when they are built on an abundance mindset and supported by strong community engagement. The research highlights that many high impact initiatives operate with limited or no financial resources, instead relying on resourcefulness, creativity and collaboration to achieve their goals. Empowered leaders play a crucial role in mobilising people, while shared purpose helps maintain momentum. By making the most of available skills, time and local networks, these projects demonstrate that meaningful progress can be achieved without large budgets.

How can organisations apply the findings from the Changeprint research?
Organisations can apply the findings from the Changeprint research by actively embedding the principles of abundance, belonging and purpose into their projects and strategies. This means prioritising collaboration, encouraging community participation and recognising the value of non financial resources such as skills, knowledge and local connections. The research can be used as a practical guide to help organisations strengthen existing initiatives or design new ones with greater impact. By focusing on collective action and broader benefits beyond carbon reduction, organisations can create more resilient, inclusive and effective climate projects that deliver lasting change.

It’s surprising when you think about it. Unlike ‘patriotism’, for feelings of loyalty and attachment towards our nation as a whole, there isn’t a similar word in the English language which describes loving, supporting and belonging to the place where we live.

Surprising, because the powerful emotional connection of belonging is vital to our own personal happiness and wellbeing. And, as our new research confirms, it also helps to drive the effectiveness of whatever we do when we work together in our community.

We at UK charity Carbon Copy asked Eunomia to undertake a deep review, qualitative and quantitative, of successful local climate and environment projects across the UK.

Based on that research, we came up with a new, positive and forward-looking description of the impact of these collective local projects. We call it their Changeprint.

In contrast to the negative and reductive focus of ‘carbon footprint’, Changeprint describes all the positive benefits of collective local action beyond carbon reduction – economic, health, social, educational and cultural – that also contribute towards greater fairness and a better place to live.

This new groundbreaking report, ‘From Footprint to Changeprint’, reveals three core characteristics of successful local projects – a mindset of Abundance, a strong sense of Belonging and a Purposeful approach. The power of each of these characteristics derives in turn from four success factors, also identified in the research.

In other blogs, I explored the mindset of Abundance and taking a Purposeful approach; today we’ll focus on that all-important sense of Belonging.

Why is it vital to success? Belonging is more than just being part of a group – it’s fundamentally tied to our social identity, our shared beliefs and ideals. As Dr Tracy Brower explains in Forbes magazine, this need for a sense of belonging, of unity and sharing among members of our group, is a fundamental part of being human. It’s hardwired into our brains – literally, as it turns out!

“A recent MIT study found we crave human interaction in the same region of our brains where we crave food,” she writes, “while another study showed we experience social exclusion in the same region of our brain where we experience physical pain.” That certainly helps to explain the power of collective climate and environment projects which satisfy that need in us.

Our research identifies four essential dimensions that nurture this sense of Belonging. The first is wide community engagement with diverse community groups. This leads to high levels of participation and awareness, and ensures projects reflect community needs while building trust and shared ownership. Over time, this engagement nurtures the social infrastructure that enables projects to grow, have greater impact and become self-sustaining.

Commitment to shared values is the second vital factor: a common understanding and acknowledgement among participants that action on the climate and environment is critical, urgent and has tangible, wider community benefits. By helping communities to feel informed about the issues at stake, see the action taken and experience the benefits, working together unites and inspires people around a shared purpose.

The third, inclusivity, is all about projects reflecting the needs, experiences, and viewpoints of the communities being served, with particular attention to vulnerable groups. Active representation of all community voices ensures outcomes are as beneficial as possible for the entire community.

The fourth success factor, placemaking, describes the shared sense of belonging and pride in ‘our place’, where communities create physical spaces to come together, get involved, and provide a focal point for project activity. They act as catalysts for different stakeholders to act as one community, with cross-cultural interaction and long-term involvement. These places might be community hubs, council buildings, repair cafés, libraries, tipis, visitor centres, or repurposed buildings such as pubs and community rooms. As well as being practical activity venues, they are also symbolic anchors that help build identity, belonging, and shared purpose.

As the research team summarises in the report, “Placemaking is about having somewhere safe, welcoming, and meaningful, a place where people feel ownership, connection, and pride.”

‘From Footprint to Changeprint’ is inspiring because it really brings out how success is possible everywhere. The report has been put together as an action guide to help organisations of all kinds succeed in creating a bigger Changeprint. If you think these insights could support you in strengthening your existing project, or creating a new successful collaboration in your area, do please download the report here.

FAQs

What does ‘belonging’ mean in local climate action?
Belonging in local climate action refers to the deep sense of connection people feel to their community and to each other when working towards shared environmental goals. In this research, belonging in local climate action is not simply about participation, it is about shared identity, trust and collective ownership. When individuals feel they belong, they are more likely to engage, contribute ideas and remain committed over time. This emotional connection strengthens collaboration and creates the conditions for projects to grow, adapt and deliver meaningful outcomes for the wider community.

Why is a sense of belonging important for successful community projects?
A sense of belonging is important for successful community projects because it directly influences motivation, participation and long term commitment. The research highlights that belonging is closely linked to human psychology, with studies showing that social connection is as essential as basic needs. When people feel included and valued, they are more willing to take part, share responsibility and support others. This leads to stronger relationships, higher levels of trust and more resilient projects that can sustain momentum and deliver lasting impact.

What are the key factors that create a sense of belonging in climate projects?
The key factors that create a sense of belonging in climate projects are wide community engagement, shared values, inclusivity and placemaking. Wide community engagement ensures that diverse groups are involved and represented, helping to build awareness and trust. Shared values bring people together around a common understanding of the importance of climate action and its wider benefits. Inclusivity ensures that all voices, especially those from underrepresented groups, are heard and reflected in decision making. Placemaking provides physical spaces where people can connect, collaborate and feel a sense of pride in their community, reinforcing long term involvement.

How does belonging influence the impact of local climate action?
Belonging influences the impact of local climate action by strengthening participation and encouraging collective responsibility. When people feel connected to a project and to each other, they are more likely to contribute their time, skills and ideas. This leads to more innovative solutions, better alignment with community needs and greater overall effectiveness. Belonging also helps projects become self sustaining, as engaged communities continue to support and develop initiatives over time without relying solely on external input or funding.

What is the role of placemaking in building community belonging?
The role of placemaking in building community belonging is to create shared physical spaces that bring people together and foster a sense of identity and pride. In the context of local climate projects, placemaking involves developing accessible and welcoming environments such as community hubs, libraries, repair cafés or repurposed buildings where people can meet, collaborate and take part in activities. These spaces act as focal points for engagement and help strengthen relationships across different groups. By providing a tangible place for connection, placemaking supports long term involvement and reinforces the collective purpose behind climate action.

“Purpose is the reason you journey. Passion is the fire that lights the way.” – Anon

A brief recap on my last two blogs: we at UK charity Carbon Copy recently asked global sustainability consultancy Eunomia to undertake a deep review, using qualitative and quantitative research, of impactful local climate and environment projects across the UK. It has identified the success factors driving impact, uncovering new insights from these real-world examples.

Based on that research and the projects that participated, we’ve further developed what we call a Changeprint. It’s a new, positive and forward-looking description, in contrast to the negative and reductive framing of ‘carbon footprint’. Changeprint describes all the positive benefits of collective local action beyond just carbon reduction – economic, health, social, educational and cultural – which together help to create greater fairness and a better place to live.

This new groundbreaking report, ‘From Footprint to Changeprint’, reveals three core characteristics of the most impactful local projects. They are a mindset of Abundance, a strong sense of Belonging and a Purposeful approach. The power of each of these characteristics derives in turn from four success factors, also identified by the research.

I’ve already written about two of these core characteristics, Abundance and Belonging. Today I shall dive into the third one, a Purposeful approach.

At the core of Purpose is the passion to make change happen, and being purposeful in organising people, resources and communication. It widens to encompass learning from mistakes and a willingness to be flexible, in order to achieve an intended goal. This is liberating because it reduces the fear of failure. Unexpected outcomes become ways to learn from experience and adapt.

A purposeful approach cannot be possessive. We’re all familiar with “Not Invented Here” (NIH) syndrome, which stops people adopting ideas from elsewhere, no matter how useful or successful. Sorry, but we simply haven’t got time for NIH, given the urgency of the climate and nature crises! Let’s just copy and adapt for our unique community the best of what works. Because (as we at Carbon Copy like to point out) copying is human nature.

Our research identifies four essential success factors underpinning the remarkable power of a Purposeful approach. Let’s get into the nuts and bolts, because it’s all about the practical details that make a big difference to project success:

Effective Organisation is frequently cited by project leaders as perhaps the most important success factor of all twelve identified in the research. Strong leadership, maintaining strategic direction with clear objectives, timelines and monitoring, means the project stays focused, aligned to its mission and participants’ values, generating real impact.

The second essential factor is Purposeful Communication – not just informational but relational as well, underpinning trust and encouraging participation. Two-way communication between and among teams is vital, helping to motivate, maintain and align everyone’s efforts. Equally important are the myriad ways of communicating with anyone and everyone in the wider community. Again, good ideas can be borrowed, but each project’s communication approach will employ a unique optimum mix of face-to-face, social media, newsletters, consultations and surveys, townhall meetings and so on.

The projects participating in our research described the third factor essential to their success as ‘Learning by Doing’. They emphasised continuous learning, experimentation and community-driven improvement. In the face of inevitable setbacks, successful projects switch tack, coming up with new and creative approaches. And they needn’t be restricted to their own imagination. Resources such as Carbon Copy’s public database of successful projects are a treasure trove of ideas and potential contacts in other places. Active learning leads to constant improvement in areas as diverse as finance, leadership, strategy development and engagement.

The fourth success factor, Pragmatism, is about being grounded. Successful projects prioritise steady, manageable progress over rapidity, understanding that meaningful impact is built over time through sustained engagement and long-term relationship building. Pragmatic leadership keeps projects rooted in their mission, moving with patience, adaptability, and practicality. It means staying focused, avoiding distraction, and making decisions that align with community needs and available capacity. This often means balancing passion and enjoyment with the ability to make difficult choices, such as setting boundaries, narrowing scope and keeping within limited resources.

One participating organisation that has focused on its purpose with a passion is Share Portsmouth, whose main projects include a repair café, a Library of Things, and DIY Skill Shares. Clare Seek, the charity’s CEO and founder, is clear-eyed about being goal-oriented and being organised: “What’s been important is that we kept reviewing the way we are organised through different stages and that people understood what our goal was at every stage. The two are really important together.”

‘From Footprint to Changeprint’ is inspiring because it really brings out how success is possible everywhere. The report has been put together as an action guide to help organisations of all kinds succeed in creating a bigger, more impactful Changeprint. If you think these insights could support you in strengthening your existing project, or creating a new successful collaboration in your area, do please download the report here.

FAQs

What does a purposeful approach mean in local climate action?
A purposeful approach in local climate action refers to having a clear goal and organising people, resources and communication around achieving it. In the local climate action report, purpose is described as the driving force behind meaningful impact, combining passion with practical action. It involves staying focused on outcomes, being willing to adapt when needed and using both successes and setbacks as opportunities to learn. This clarity of direction helps projects remain aligned, motivated and effective over time.

Why is purpose important for successful climate projects?
Purpose is important for successful climate projects because it provides direction, structure and momentum. The local climate action report shows that projects with a strong sense of purpose are better able to organise teams, maintain focus and achieve long term impact. Purpose also reduces fear of failure by encouraging learning and flexibility, which allows projects to evolve and improve. When everyone understands the goal, it becomes easier to align efforts and sustain engagement across the community.

What are the key success factors behind a purposeful approach?
The key success factors behind a purposeful approach in the local climate action report are effective organisation, purposeful communication, learning by doing and pragmatism. Effective organisation ensures clear leadership, goals and timelines. Purposeful communication builds trust and keeps people engaged. Learning by doing encourages experimentation and continuous improvement. Pragmatism helps projects stay grounded, focusing on steady progress and realistic outcomes rather than quick wins.

How does purposeful communication support local climate action?
Purposeful communication supports local climate action by building trust, encouraging participation and keeping everyone aligned with the project’s goals. The local climate action report highlights that communication should be both informative and relational, with strong two way engagement between teams and the wider community. This can include a mix of approaches such as face to face interaction, social media, newsletters and community events. Effective communication helps maintain momentum and ensures that everyone understands their role in achieving the shared purpose.

What does ‘learning by doing’ mean in the local climate action report?
Learning by doing in the local climate action report refers to the process of continuous improvement through experience, experimentation and adaptation. Projects are encouraged to test ideas, learn from setbacks and refine their approach over time. This mindset allows teams to respond to challenges creatively and draw inspiration from other successful initiatives. By actively learning and evolving, projects can strengthen their impact and develop more effective ways of working within their communities.

The latest episode of the climate podcast Outrage + Optimism, with Lorraine Whitmarsh as special guest, shows just how simple and how complicated it is for people to change their behaviour.

The conversation starts with the story of the carbon footprint, a concept created for BP to shift the target of behaviour change from themselves onto individuals. Looking back to its origin in the early 2000s, the ‘personal carbon footprint’ is the greatest trick the devil ever pulled.

Clearly, it’s not only about individual choices but also about bigger systemic changes. But if systemic change requires public consent and public consent requires systemic change, how do we break the climate Catch 22?

It’s difficult to reconcile two extreme scales of action and the dichotomy between individual agency and systemic change. We need both and collective, place-based action is the bridge where they meet and we can escape the trap.

At an individual level, it’s helpful to recognise that we play multiple roles, as consumers, citizens, professionals, community members and more. Too often our role is relegated to consumers but we can also do lots of positive things to improve the world around us in our other roles.

A citizen is literally a person who belongs to a particular place. A role that you and everyone around you can play and one that shapes collective behaviour locally.

Reflecting on this podcast discussion, the big step is not so much to impose policy and regulate change as it is to encourage more people to make changes together where they live. And for that, we need a new narrative.

Most of the things we can do to address climate change have tangible benefits that improve our quality of life, from better health outcomes to cost savings to being more in touch with nature. These are known as ‘co-benefits’ in eco jargon. They are better looked at simply as the main reason(s) why someone will do something different.

As Wayne Dyer said, if you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change. At Carbon Copy, we’re changing the way we look at the benefits of climate action by talking about a Changeprint instead of a carbon footprint.

If that’s helpful for you too, repeat it. If people repeat it, behaviours shift. If behaviours shift, systems change.

It’s time for a change.

Things these days are feeling precarious with an unrelenting news cycle of trade wars, culture wars, real wars. No less urgent, a climate and nature crisis that’s not going away. And yet, the doom and gloom of national headlines are drowning out a multitude of positive changes closer to home.

If you’re not yet involved in some of this positivity, it’s easy to feel that you don’t have a say or can’t make a difference. The good news is that you already have the power to change the world around you. You just have to use it.

What’s in a name?

A Changeprint is the collective impact created when people join forces to make something happen. It’s visible proof that collaboration works.

It isn’t the project itself – it’s the sum of all the good it generates such as stronger community ties, healthier environments, shared learning and visible local progress.

Where a carbon footprint measures what we take away, a Changeprint shows what we build together. In simple terms, you shrink a carbon footprint and you grow a Changeprint.

Each Changeprint starts locally, then grows as others copy what works and make it their own – creating ripples that move us closer to a social tipping point.

Names have the power to change the world around us. In talking about a Changeprint, we gather up into one word all the positive benefits of taking collective action. We have a name that makes things easy to communicate and copy.

What does a Changeprint look like?

Warmer homes, more vibrant communities, cleaner air, better health and wellbeing, access to fresh food, thriving wildlife… just some of the varied benefits that could be part of a Changeprint.

Carbon Copy has been gathering stories of people taking collective action for climate and nature for over five years now, and there are literally hundreds published on our website.

Each one of these stories has a Changeprint, and now you can explore this collection to learn more about what a Changeprint looks like.

You’ll see some of the far-reaching benefits of collective climate action and discover other motivations beyond reducing carbon footprints or hitting net zero targets. It’s amazing what more can happen when we work together.

Changeprints in action.

These collaborative, dynamic and lasting ways of working together create a Changeprint. Here are four examples from our national collection to give you a glimpse of this new, positive way of talking about impact:

Share and Repair  A small charity based in the southwest of England, Share and Repair is helping reduce waste and keep items in use for longer through its workshops and borrowing initiatives.

Share and Repair’s Changeprint can be measured by the items fixed instead of thrown away, in their repair cafes; by the items loaned and money saved from not buying new, in their Library of Things; by the people who gain new maintenance skills, in their ‘how to’ workshops; by the electricals re-housed instead of rejected as e-waste, in their HomeKIT initiative.

Maes Gwenfrewi Biodiverse Town Centre Park  A former bowling green in the town of Aberystwyth, West Wales, has been repurposed with help from a Challenge for Nature grant into a new wildlife haven and community green space.

Their Changeprint can be measured by the increase in local biodiversity; the number of thriving new trees; the amount of local food grown and enjoyed; and by how the space brings the local community together in different ways.

Safe, Warm and Well  Northern Ireland has the highest incidence of fuel poverty in the UK, so this initiative, run by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, is helping address a significant need for people locally. The service provides advice, support with implementing energy efficiency measures and other health and wellbeing services.

The Changeprint of this service can be measured in terms of community health and wellbeing, improving residents’ ability to stay Safe, Warm and Well. Safe, by addressing home safety issues, poor energy efficiency, high energy costs. Warm, by supporting households through the Affordable Warmth grant scheme. Well, by addressing fuel poverty, making homes more comfortable, reducing carbon emissions and providing ongoing referrals for additional support.

Glasgow Food Policy Partnership  A group of public, private and voluntary sector organisations who have come together with one specific objective: to create a fairer, healthier, more sustainable and resilient food system that makes Glasgow an even better city to live in.

This partnership’s Changeprint can be measured in so many different and far-reaching ways. More equal access to healthy food in all areas of the city. Lower rates of food insecurity. More food procured locally. Higher proportion of food consumed in Glasgow from local producers. More land available for food growing. The development of local and short food supply chains. New employment and training opportunities. Reduced food waste. And last but not least, better health of people in Glasgow longer term.

We hope that any one of the stories shared on Carbon Copy will inspire you to grow your own Changeprint by joining in, taking part or copying the change you wish to see.

1. Included does not equal inclusive. 

Inclusivity is about far more than box-ticking. Ensuring that different groups are included in outreach is a good step in the right direction, but this is one-way communication and doesn’t always factor in community perspectives. As Emma River-Roberts explained in the Be More Inclusive episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast;  

“It’s centred around building that long-term relatability saying, ‘We’d love to have you in our spaces, but we also want to be in your spaces.’” 

Listen to the full episode for more of Emma’s tips. 

2. Everyone has their place.

As well as protected characteristics such as race, sexuality and disability; geographic inclusion is incredibly important. Those involved with climate and nature action should be from every background and every part of the UK (and the world!) Often, the way the climate and nature crises affect those living in urban environments is very different to those living in more rural or coastal areas. The impacts can be different in the different nations or depending on how far north or south you live. 

This blog from Chris Coonick highlights the work of Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network (WREN) is supporting people living in rural Cornwall to move towards a more sustainable future, whilst avoiding fuel poverty and other hardships. 

3. One size fits no-one.

Being more inclusive means adapting your approach to suit individual needs. Organisations working with vulnerable groups, in particular, can have a much bigger impact when they take a person-centred approach. Everyone has different priorities and needs, and will get involved with taking action for different reasons; which may or may not relate to wanting to protect the environment and reduce the impacts of climate change. 

New-U is a clothing swap-shop based in Norwich. As well as helping to reduce waste by offering a points-based incentive for donating clothes for resale, the initiative supports young people who are out of work with training opportunities and work placements; tailoring each programme to the needs of the individual. Although those participating in these schemes may not have initially had environmental reasons to get involved, these young people are being introduced to new ideas around waste and sustainability, alongside broader skills development. 

4. Many viewpoints make light work.

At Carbon Copy we are all about collective action. What we mean by collective, is action that is taken together. Collective action creates change by bringing skills, experiences and perspectives from all of those involved, and so to make the biggest positive impact, it’s important to include as many different viewpoints as possible. 

A fantastic example of this kind of radical collaboration was in the People’s Assembly for Nature. This citizen’s assembly, which was created using a process of sortition to ensure it was representative of the UK population, was facilitated by RSPB, National Trust and WWF UK and led to the production of the People’s Plan for Nature. 

Listen to our podcast episode Bigger Than All Of Us, which tells the story of this amazing process and what has happened since the plan was published. 

5. Diversify action.

Over the past year Carbon Copy has been showcasing 25 Big Local Actions that you can take, with others, to make a difference for climate and nature in the place you call home. The purpose of this campaign isn’t to overwhelm or to burden. We are not suggesting that anyone should, or could, take all 25 of these actions. In fact, the purpose is to help you to find an action that is right for you and your community.  

As much as we need diversity in the people who are taking action, we also need diversity in the action that is being taken. We need people to focus on the steps that will have the biggest impact and bring the most positive change. So, if you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to take a look at our online tool, to think about what you care about most, what you are good at, and what is needed in your community.  

How will you make your mark? 

Be More Inclusive is the final focus in Carbon Copy’s 25 Big Local Actions in 2025 campaign. For more information about this and to discover a local action that’s right for you, visit our campaign landing page.