A blueprint for a green, healthy city created by the people of Nottingham will be unveiled today (23 July 2026).
It’s the product of more than two years of citizen-led work including mini assemblies and a youth assembly to come up with a roadmap for a greener, fairer city that brings local voices right into the heart of city climate decisions.
Nottingham has one of the most ambitious climate targets in the UK, but hitting CN28 means bringing the whole city along.
The Nottingham Environment & Climate Assembly manifesto sets out a vision of a forest city with clean air and waterways; placing nature and residents at the heart of decision-making; with community led initiatives to create thriving neighbourhoods and more safe ways to get around the city by foot, bike and public transport.
The collective approach of a citizens’ assembly is seen as a way to empower communities and combat the increasing distrust in traditional politics to find a new positive way forward. From Ireland to Camden, citizens’ assemblies have shown time and again that people-power can drive extraordinary change.
If we work together with ambition and imagination, we believe that Nottingham, as it welcomes residents and visitors with its green open arms, can become a truly inspiring city for generations to come – Nottingham Climate Assembly manifesto
The manifesto includes a series of recommendations around buildings and energy, food and health, nature, skills and engagement, transport, waste and water.
Specific ideas include retrofitting buildings; community gardens; local food production; a pedestrian friendly transport system; wildlife corridors: repair and recycle schemes; incentives for green businesses and managing flood risks through rain gardens.
It also calls for more green space in the city to make it accessible within a 15 minute walk for every resident and a network of green hubs in each neighbourhood with local food markets, skills workshops, and youth activities.
At the launch event on 23 July, the city’s decision makers will hear what Nottingham people want for the future of their city with a call for a task force to ensure the ideas are brought into reality.
Councillor Sam Lux, Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability, Nottingham City Council, said:
“It has never been more apparent that we are living in the midst of a climate crisis. Now is our last chance to act. If we don’t do so in accordance with the will of Nottingham people we aren’t going to succeed.
“That’s why this climate assembly manifesto is nothing less than critical and I will be determined to translate as much of it into immediate policy as practically possible.”
Lilian Greenwood, MP for Nottingham South, said:
“Our environment shapes who we are – when our environment thrives, we thrive too. I believe that it is essential that we work together as a city to protect and restore our environment and safeguard our natural resources. That’s why I want to thank the residents of our city for their invaluable contributions to the deliberations of the Nottingham Environment and Climate Assembly.
“I welcome their serious efforts to articulate a positive vision for the environment in Nottingham and their policy proposals, which I know will be rightly considered in the conversations about the future of our city.”
Alex Norris, MP for Nottingham North and Kimberley, said:
“The work of the Nottingham Environment and Climate Assembly, organised entirely by volunteers, is hugely important. I look forward to discussing the proposals with delegates from my constituency in the coming weeks to discuss how we can put their ideas into action.”
Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East, said:
“Getting people from different backgrounds together to talk about the environmental emergency we are facing is vitally important, which is why I am so pleased at the success of the Nottingham Climate and Nature Assembly.
“The proposals it has drawn up will now help steer local decision-makers, providing vital input from residents about what a sustainable future for our city should look like.”
Deladem, a delegate, said: “The climate assembly was not just to discuss Nottingham and its future. For participants like me, it was a whole experience, an opportunity to learn, develop important public speaking skills and learn about food in a way I would never do on my own. I am glad I did this and I can proudly say I made a difference in Nottingham.”
Organised by the Nottingham Climate Assembly and sponsored by the Nottingham Green Partnership, the city’s first climate assembly was funded by the Mayor of the East Midlands and environmentally conscious local organisations and individuals through a Crowdfunder.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said:
“This manifesto shows what can happen when local people are trusted to shape the future of their city. It is ambitious, practical and rooted in the pride Nottingham people have in the place they call home.
“I am proud to support the Nottingham Climate Assembly because lasting change happens when communities are involved from the start. My £9.9m investment in domestic retrofit alongside investing millions in cycling and walking improvements across the city reflects that same commitment to creating greener, healthier places that put people, nature and opportunity at the heart of regeneration.
“By listening to local people and turning good ideas into action, we can tackle the climate challenge while building a stronger, fairer Nottingham for future generations.”
Sally Longford, Vice Chair of the Nottingham Green Partnership, said:
“We can, and must, embrace this moment, it is a once in a generation opportunity to help people re-engage with their neighbours, streets, and communities to create the healthy and vibrant city we all want for the future.”
To find out more go to www.nottinghamclimateassembly.co.uk. The full manifesto will be available to read following the launch event.
Posted on 23 July 2026
