Newcastle Climate Change Forum

March 2026 Forum

The fifth climate change forum was co-hosted by Newcastle City Council, Northumbria University and Newcastle University, and through the Collaborative Newcastle Universities Agreement (CNUA), the forum tackled solutions across energy, transport, biodiversity, and community engagement. Live polling from the evening found that 92% of attendees feel Newcastle is making at least some environmental progress, with audience ambitions for the city ranging from green roofs and car-free streets to social green space.

Many attendees said they would like to see more green improvements on campus and around the city which included more green spaces with seating, more trees, more biodiversity, the removal of invasive species and communication on what pollinators are good for gardeners. A number of people referenced feeling more engaged with environmental issues in the city comes from seeing deliberate improvements, talking about actions we all can take, connecting with likeminded people in nature and forums like this.

The forum reinforced that achieving net zero requires collective effort from policymakers, businesses, universities and residents alike. Collaboration was the defining theme of the night and of the wider CNUA partnership the forum represents, with one attendee stating: "None of this can be done alone. We need to collaborate." 

November 2025 Forum

The fourth Climate Change forum was focused on public transport and was hosted by Nexus, the main transport operator in the region responsible for the Tyne and Wear Metro, in partnership with Stagecoach, one of the largest bus operators in the city and Aecom, a transport consultancy specialising in climate change and transport. 
The event included presentations from each organisation talking about the impact of climate change on Newcastle’s transport system and focusing on how we can mitigate and adapt to these changes in the future.  This was followed by discussions led by each of the organisations on the opportunities and challenges to decarbonise transport across the city. 
The three discussion groups explored how to improve sustainable transport in the North East, highlighting the value of better cycling infrastructure, integrated active travel options, and more affordable, reliable public transport. Across all discussions, the overarching message was the need to prioritise people over vehicles, strengthen coordination across transport modes, and plan future development around sustainable transport infrastructure while balancing competing regional priorities.
Discussions at the forum are feeding into the development of the broader plans for the organisations in this space. The feedback received from the forum, and other data will continue to help shape policy reviews as well as future strategies in this area. 

July 2025 Forum

The third Climate Change Forum focused on energy. It was the first forum held in partnership with Bring Energy. 

Bring Energy is our strategic partner in the city and works with the Council to develop energy and heat network projects. The event included a visit to the Helix Energy Centre, one of the city’s main heat network sites. After the visit, there was a presentation and discussion about future energy and heat opportunities in the city.

People asked for clearer communication about energy and heat, including plain‑language guidance, real local examples of low‑carbon technology, and better information on funding, rules, and long‑term climate impacts. They also wanted stronger partnerships to remove barriers to decarbonisation, improved support for businesses through pledges and mentoring, and more celebration of successful projects across the city. 

In response, the council is developing an Energy and Heat Strategy that will consider all these points and include them where appropriate, setting out future plans for communication, funding, collaboration, and citywide decarbonisation.

February 2025 Forum

The second Climate Change Forum took place on 20 February 2025 at the Civic Centre. More people attended than in October.
This forum focused on nature and biodiversity. It included a short Q&A panel, three brief presentations from council officers and partners, and a discussion group with three set questions. Organisations involved were North East Community Forest, Blue Green Newcastle and Newcastle’s Nature Networks.

Across the city, people asked for more trees, greener streets, better habitats, and more community involvement, and this feedback is shaping work through the North East Community Forest, Blue Green Newcastle, and Newcastle’s Nature Networks. 

NECF is expanding tree planting with native, locally sourced species, improving parks and wildlife areas, running open planting events, and addressing concerns through careful planning, supported by long‑term funding and partnerships that have already delivered thousands of new trees and major habitat improvements. 

Blue Green Newcastle is restoring natural areas, improving flood resilience, and creating new blue‑green features across neighbourhoods and the city centre, working with organisations such as the Environment Agency, Northumbrian Water, Newcastle University, and local Freemen on projects ranging from wildflower meadows and SuDS in schools to future rain‑garden corridors. 

Meanwhile, Newcastle’s Nature Networks is strengthening community engagement through free park‑based courses, family activities, regular nature updates, and partnerships with local groups, while volunteers help restore habitats, plant pollinator‑friendly meadows, and support conservation across the city.

October 2024 Forum

The first Climate Change Forum took place on 16th October 2024 at the Discovery Museum. 

Over 120 people attended from a range of organisations including local authorities, anchor institutions, public sector, religious, VCSEs, charities and local businesses.

People highlighted major challenges across energy, transport, and waste, including high energy costs, weak government planning, grid capacity concerns, and poor guidance, alongside a desire for safer travel options, better public transport, and clearer recycling information. 

In response, work is underway with national and regional partners to secure more funding for decarbonisation, strengthen energy planning, and improve grid readiness. Feedback on transport has shaped the Movement Strategy, and several waste improvements are being delivered, including a new recycling app, expanded bin provision, more frequent litter checks, and the rollout of food waste collections and a Deposit Return Scheme.