Carbon Conversations offer a supportive group experience that helps people halve their personal carbon footprint. They deal with the difficulties of change by connecting to values, emotions and identity.
The community version is ideal for projects such as Transition groups or other low-carbon initiatives. Surefoot provides facilitator training for volunteers to lead the groups. Group members meet with trained facilitators in homes, community centres, workplaces or other venues. The 6 meetings create a non-judgmental atmosphere where people are encouraged to make serious lifestyle changes. The groups offer: - Space to explore what climate change means for ourselves, our families and aspirations - Permission to share hopes, doubts and anxieties - Time to work through conflicts between intention, social pressure and identity - Reliable, well-researched information and practical guidance on what will make a difference - Support in creating a personal plan for change.
The set-up Carbon Conversations sessions include: - 6 meetings, each 2 hours with 8-10 participants - Ideally one session once a fortnight - Day and time of the day/evening will be agreed with you - Two trained facilitators will run the sessions - Online sessions are now an option.
Discussions of practicalities, how people feel and what these changes mean personally are supported by well-researched and professionally-designed materials. Carbon reductions of 1 tonne CO2e are typically made by each member during the course, with plans developed to halve individual footprints over a 4-5 year period. Scottish Government referenced Carbon Conversations as a model in the invitation to tender for the creation of Climate Conversations. Carbon Conversations is used by several CCF (the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund) community groups.
Please contact us if you wish to train as a facilitator or for more information at [email protected].
Carbon Conversations was created by Rosemary Randall and Andy Brown. Please see the Carbon Conversations website here and a link to a news sharing platform here