Notes of the meeting of the Chichester Climate Change Group, 10th Sept, 2pm to 4pm, Christchurch Lounge, Old Market Avenue, Chichester
Present
Colin McKenna (Chair), Mike Cockerell, Jan Davies, Cate Matters, Annabel Glanville-Hearson, Debbie Carte, Susan LeTooze, Tom Broughton, Rachel Evans, Susi Kershaw,
- Welcome/ Apologies: – Welcome to Rachel Evans who has a background in Environmental Management in the UK. Apologies – John Leslie, Ruth Keeley, Andy Rackham, Ann Butler
- Matter Arising
- Minutes of previous meeting – see the following link
- CM sent an email, on behalf of the group, to Andrew Griffith, MP to Arundel and South Downs in whose constituency, the Singleton Oilfield lies and asking for urgent action on methane emissions. Cate to write a a similar email as she is in the constituency and it will be more likely to be responded to ( post meeting note – done! – thanks Cate.)
3. News
- CM explained the likely changes to local government changes in Sussex. He presented a slide also with the potential scope of the mayor in relation to climate change. Potentially a force for positive change depending on who we get. Powers discretionary at present and not duties. ** Please think about what questions you would want to ask aspiring mayors about climate change/environmental maters for discussion at the next meeting**
- CM will be joining a Transition Towns regional group chat tonight(Weds 10th) to discuss coordination of issues and will raise the mayoral issue. (post meeting note- of interest to several reps they had had some previous discussion in Worthing and Shoreham about the issue and would like to come back to the subject – not sure about timing. However note 28th March 2026 when the SECA conference in Guildford will have this as a key agenda item.
- Jan Davis recommended a book to read. Its title is “The Language of Climate Politics” by Genevieve Guenther. It describes the propaganda used by the fossil fuel industry to rubbish climate change and the length of misinformation they are prepared to go to do this.
4. COP30
Mike gave a presentation of the recent history of COP’s, the way in which carbon equivalent emissions are measured, the bodies that measure them and the undertakings and treaties that emerge from COP meetings. From where we are now the 1.5 degree average Global temperature rise is already breached and while some hope to limit the rise now to 2 degrees C this is considered very far from the truth.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC’s) are worth looking at in terms of COP reports. We know that the USA will miss its targets due to Trump but the rumour is that they are not even going to turn up at COP or will send a very junior delegation. The initiative on carbon reductions is being undertaken by China and other asian counties such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and India. Apart from lack of progress and views of the USA the big issue for smaller countries very adversely affected by climate change will be for some economic assistance to deal with the climate breakdown effects as the cause has been the wealthier and industrialised countries which have caused the problem.
The other issue worth watching is what is said about carbon capture and storage. when we look at the huge reliance on this technology and the lack of any clear progress in achieving an economically effective solution in this area it is a chimera.
5. Local Issues
- CM explained the proposal for a meeting on Friday, 14th November at Friends Meeting House, 10.00 to 12.00 and afterwards coffee/tea from the Earth Cafe. This would be a meeting for an invited audience of representatives from environmental groups in the area and a little wider (Midhurst, Horsham Worthing, Petersfield, Havant). This is an offer from a group of committed environmentalists including Tony Whitbread and Frank Hannan (also a psychologist) who go under the name of “Our Better Nature.” They would like the opportunity to have a conversation with us and others taking as read that business as usual is not working and we need to press the reset button to change the way we think about the crises (in fact a metacrisis ) in which we are stuck. The focus is on what we can do as communities and how we should focus on adaptation and resilience as a way forward. The style of the meeting will be interactional. Colin and Cate to discuss a publicity plan for this and Tom will set up Ticket Taylor to provide the ticketing for the event. It will be free but contributions will be asked for at the event to cover the cost of the hall and also to plan for a larger event next year if we think it is the way to go.
- CDC has a Client Action Networking Meeting on 10th November at the Graylingwell Chapel. There will be Carbon Literacy courses in the morning and afternoon but 12.00 to 14.00 will be for networking with other groups and a free lunch. 6 volunteered to attend this – Colin, Anna, Cate, Susi, Debbie, Tom. So 4 vegetarian requests. (Note if I didn’t get the nominations right please contact Colin). Also if anyone want to do the Carbon Literacy Course please contact Michael Pierce at CDC to put your name down for it. See email attached below.
- CDC have a Community Action Group Training on 3rd October at CDC’s offices. This is a training course for community governance including a special focus on climate change groups. Beryl Starkey has put her name down for this and Michael is looking for others to join this training. See email from Michael Pierce attached below.
6. Future Programme
1. Next Meeting 1st Oct (unless otherwise advised).
2 . Then 5th Nov, 3rd Dec
The New Year will see the discussions on local government changes and the new mayor for Sussex hotting up and we will see what the meeting on 14th November brings. Speaker requests include someone on AI and ethics/energy use. Also some specialist on methane issues. Maybe also someone on the local government changes.
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CM draft 1 11/9/2025
Email from Michael Pierce
From: Climate Change<climatechange@chichester.gov.uk>
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2025 at 15:09
Subject: CAN launch update_10th November
To:
Hello all,
I hope you’re well.
A quick update on the plans for the CAN launch and CLAD event on 10th November. We have adapted the itinerary for the day to accommodate a greater opportunity for networking, based on feedback we’ve received from some groups.
Updates are as follows:
- There will now be a dedicated networking session beginning at 12:00 and running for at least 2 hours, where attendees can enjoy some refreshments and an uninterrupted opportunity to connect and network.
- We appreciate that several of you might like to attend the networking session only, and not the training. Please feel free to do so.
- Please let me know if you would like to attend only the networking session so I may arrange with you directly.
- For those who have not received Carbon Literacy training, I encourage you to take the opportunity to network on behalf of your community group as well as attend the training sessions. Please book your spots for the training here.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any questions.
Kind regards,
Mike
 | Michael Pierce Specialist Environment Officer Environmental Strategy Chichester District Council |
| Ext: 34767 | Tel: 01243 534767 | mpierce@chichester.gov.uk | https://www.chichester.gov.uk | |
| East Pallant House opening hours: 9am-4pm Monday to Friday |