On 28th June, the Fair Energy Campaign hosted the Fair Energy Futures Symposium and Community event, bringing together industry experts, thought leaders, young people and community representatives to look at the energy emergency and possible solutions to alleviate fuel poverty and CO2 pollution around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and beyond for London Climate Action Week.
The event began with an opening from chair of the Fair Energy Campaign, Dr Laura Santamaria, who emphasised the urgency of the energy crisis, highlighting that “we now face an energy crisis that has resulted in millions having to choose between heating or eating, with 6.5 million UK households currently enduring fuel poverty. We need to act quickly and in a coordinated way to bring about deep sector reform.”
The first panel discussed “Fair Energy Futures and My City” with panelists including: Cllr Ahsan Khan (Waltham Forest), Hayden Banks (NEA), Dr. Charlotte Johnson (UCL & Centre for Sustainable Energy) and Clementine Cowton (Octopus Energy) and chaired by Dr Anze Zadel (Loughborough University).
The second panel focused on “Fair Energy Futures in My Community” with panelists including Alex Jeremy (GeoCapita), Prof. Monica Giulietti (Loughborough University), Siôn Williams (My Society), Dr. Chris Cook (Island Power LPP) and chaired by Graeme Sherrif (Fuel Poverty Network). The day continued with a presentation from students and Candan Iscan from St John the Baptist Primary school, showcasing the greenwall the Fair Energy Campaign co-designed and built with students, parents and staff from St John the Baptist Primary School in Hackney.
Following the morning sessions, the community fair opened with music, co-creation workshops and celebrations. Living Song CIC Youth Advisory Board began with singing their own social action song while, students from St John the Baptist Primary school showcased their greenwall. The community Fair also included a DJ powered by a bicycling station, and Virtually There explored energy usage via virtual reality demos.
The Fair Energy Champions from our communities were also present on the day. The Fair Energy Champions Programme gathers Young People from the 4 London Legacy Boroughs together to discuss the issues of Climate Change and fuel poverty.
Diana Hysenaj, Communities Coordinator for the Fair Energy Campaign says “I am so proud of our Fair Energy Champions, who excellently interviewed policymakers, community representatives and fellow Young People, asking them the questions they would like answers to regarding the energy crisis. It is vital that we continue giving Young People the opportunity to share their thoughts on the matters that they care about the most”.
Excitedly, the Fair Energy Futures Podcast, co-designed with Young People will launch soon, in collaboration with The Fair Energy Campaign, Spotlight, You.Me.Us.Tv and BBC Young Reporter.
The day itself helped defining the meaning of future energy in our localities and identify actionable routes that can inform plans towards Net Zero, which will be published on the Fair Energy Campaign website in due course. Elliot Bushay, Sustainability Project Manager at LLDC said: “LLDC is committed to delivering the Mayor of London’s ambition to achieving net zero carbon by 2030. Communities and local stakeholders have an important part to play in helping to realise this ambition and LLDC are proud supporters of organisations and groups working hard to make this a reality.”
Let’s make fuel poverty history, join the change!
