Carbon Copy Podcast

In April 2026, the People’s Emergency Briefing began to roll out across the UK. The 50-minute Gogglebox-style film, includes footage taken at the National Emergency Briefing event held in Westminster in November 2025, interviews with climate experts and scientists and reactions from celebrities and members of the public. The team behind the briefings: brothers Simon and Nick Oldridge and their colleagues, hoped for screenings in every constituency in the UK, and for as many MPs as possible to see the film and to show their support for a national televised briefing. Isabelle Sparrow, host of the Carbon Copy Podcast, is also a member of one of the local organisations that signed up to put on a People’s Emergency Briefing event, Sustainable Wymondham. This episode of the podcast tells the story of her experience, and of how the groundswell of awareness and urgency around the climate crisis created by the film can be channeled into more action. Listen or watch now to: Learn where the idea for the National Emergency Briefing came from. Discover why the film was made and why hosting screenings in communities is so important. Hear from attendees at the Wymondham event – why they attended and what they thought of the film. Hear a local MP’s perspective. Understand what the long-term goal is – and how you can get involved and make a difference. A full transcript is available from the Carbon Copy website here: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/a-local-national-emergency--------------------------------------------------------- Show notes Find out more about the National Emergency Briefing: https://www.nebriefing.org/  Find a People’s Emergency Briefing screening near you: https://www.nebriefing.org/screening-map  Read more about Sustainable Wymondham: https://sustainablewymondham.org.uk/  Discover place-based projects to copy in your own local area: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives  Download a copy of From Footprint to Changeprint: https://carboncopy.eco/changeprint/report  Listen to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast  Susbscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@carboncopy_eco   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special one-off episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast, Head of Communications and podcast host Isabelle Sparrow chats to Carbon Copy co-founder and Trustee, Ric Casale about the charity’s exciting new concept: Changeprint. Every action leaves a Changeprint. A Changeprint is the collective impact created when people join with others to make something happen. It’s visible proof that collaboration works and that local climate action improves daily life. A Changeprint isn’t the project itself. It’s the sum of all the good it generates: stronger connections, healthier environments, shared learning, local pride and a growing sense of belonging. Where a carbon footprint measures what we take away, a Changeprint shows what we can build together.  Listen or watch now, to hear why Carbon Copy is launching Changeprint now, and how it will help more people turn their concern for climate and nature into collective impact.  Full transcript available at https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/introducing-changeprint--------------------------------------- Show notes Learn more about Changeprint: https://carboncopy.eco/changeprint Listen back to earlier episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast  Discover an initiative to inspire you to grow your own Changeprint: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives  Explore 25 Big Local Actions you can take for climate and nature: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction  Follow Carbon Copy on social media: https://linktr.ee/carboncopy.eco  Read about the 89 Percent Project: https://89percent.org/  Read the latest DESNZ Public Attitudes Tracker report: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/desnz-public-attitudes-tracker-summer-2025  Send us an email: hello@carboncopy.eco  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We might be a quarter of the way through the 21st century, but our energy system in still stuck in the past, with distribution of power still reliant on the National Grid and few options for people to take control of their energy needs on a local level. In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast, we speak to three guests who are looking to disrupt the status quo and empower people to collectively generate and use electricity within communities. We speak to artist and filmmaker Hilary Powell about her project Power Station, which saw many of the houses on her road in East London installing solar panels on their rooftops. We speak to Kayla Ente, MBE, about the work of BHESCo, which is helping communities across Brighton & Hove and beyond to decarbonise, and we meet Gareth Davies, whose organisation Aquatera led the ReFLEX Orkney project; a pioneering initiative connecting the dots between local energy generation and use on the Orkney Islands. Listen now to hear: What inspired Hilary and her partner Dan to create Power Station. What the current legislation is and why it is still challenging to break free from the grid. What BHESCo is doing to help more people have access to renewable energy generation at no upfront cost. How the original ambition of the ReFLEX Orkney programme has faces challenges with outdated policy and systems. What communities can do to maximise the benefits of local power generation. Full transcript available at: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/use-decentralised-energy------------------------------------------------------- Show notes Find out more about using decentralised energy: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/use-decentralised-energy      Discover all 25 Big Local Actions: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction            Listen to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast             Send us your feedback and comments: hello@carboncopy.eco    Read about BHESCo on Carbon Copy: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/brighton-and-hove-energy-services-co-op Read about ReFLEX Orkney on Carbon Copy: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/reflex-orkney Learn more about Power Station and where you can see the film: https://power.film/ Read Community Energy England’s State of the Sector 2025 report: https://communityenergyengland.org/news/2025-state-of-the-sector-report-community-energy-surges-ahead-24-5m-reinvested-locally-movement-poised-to-scale-and-shape-whats-next/  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK has some of the lowest quality and least energy efficient housing stock in Europe, and the majority of our buildings are still heated by gas fired boilers. This is despite huge hikes in fuel prices in recent years, and the introduction of subsidies for greener alternatives. For many people, low-carbon heating is inaccessible due to high upfront costs or unsuitable due to poor insulation. In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast we explore two initiatives that are helping communities to embrace low-carbon heat: Power Up North London, which has helped Caxton House in Archway to decarbonise and become a warmer more inviting space for those that use it, and the UK’s first rural heat network in Swaffham Prior. Listen now and learn: About the different approaches to decarbonising heat, and what works where. How partnerships and collaborations are vital to get projects off the ground. About the enormous savings – both in carbon emissions and financially – that can be made through switching away from fossil fuels. Full transcript available at: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/install-low-carbon-heating---------------------------------------- Show notes Find out more about installing low-carbon heating: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/install-low-carbon-heating   Discover all 25 Big Local Actions: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction        Listen to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast         Send us your feedback and comments: hello@carboncopy.eco  Read about Heating Swaffham Prior on Carbon Copy: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/heating-swaffham-prior  Read about Power Up North London on Carbon Copy: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/power-up-north-london  Learn about Power Up North London’s plans to create a decarbonised neighbourhood in Islington: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQBt2QIiLwv/  Listen to a previous episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast – Insulate Our Homes: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/insulate-our-homes   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast we explore the origins and the impacts of The Carbon Literacy Project. We speak to co-founder Phil Korbel, about how and why the initiative started, and about its exponential growth over the last thirteen years. We meet Linda Foley, an experienced educator and Manchester City Councillor, who discovered Carbon Literacy in her efforts to engage more of the school community with sustainability, and who says the project is the “silver bullet” she was looking for. And we chat to Jen Gale: author, podcaster and founder of Sustainable(ish), about her journey to becoming a Carbon Literacy trainer. Listen now to hear: How peer-to-peer learning is central to the ethos of Carbon Literacy. How embedding Carbon Literacy into organisations’ mandatory training is helping more people to get on board with climate action. How to become Carbon Literate yourself, and how you could help to train and engage others in your community. About The Carbon Literacy Project’s ambition to make Manchester the world’s first Carbon Literate City by 2027. Full transcript available at: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/engage-your-community------------------------------------------------------- Show notes Find out more about engaging your community: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/engage-your-community    Discover all 25 Big Local Actions: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction      Listen to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast       Send us your feedback and comments: hello@carboncopy.eco    Read more about what Carbon Literacy is: https://carbonliteracy.com/what-is-carbon-literacy/ Find out about bringing Carbon Literacy to your workplace or community group: https://carbonliteracy.com/organisation/ Learn more about the ambition for Manchester: https://carbonliteracy.com/mclc/ Find out more about the Carbon Literacy courses that Jen Gale has developed and how you can participate in training with her: https://www.asustainablelife.co.uk/carbon-literacy/   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Do Something Bigger from the Carbon Copy Podcast, join host Isabelle Sparrow with guest co-host, Kiloran O’Leary from Sustain to learn how producing and eating local food can help people connect with each other and bring positive change to their communities. Listen now to learn: How Sustain is supporting food-related businesses to help more people on lower incomes to access local, healthy and sustainable produce. How the people of Carrickfergus in County Antrim came together to create Northern Ireland’s first community-owned greengrocer, and how this is helping the community connect to local growers and farmers. Why Growing Communities is encouraging more public sector organisations and schools to use small farms and market gardens to supply their catering needs. How Incredible Edible is campaigning for a community "Right To Grow,” and their vision for how this could transform the food system. Full transcript available at: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/produce-local-food ----------------------------------------------------------------- Show notes Find out more about producing food locally: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/produce-local-food Discover all 25 Big Local Actions: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction Listen to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast Send us your feedback and comments: hello@carboncopy.eco Learn more about Sustain: https://www.sustainweb.org/  Find out about the Bridging the Gap programme: https://www.sustainweb.org/bridging-the-gap/  Read Sustain’s Local Food Growth Plan report: https://www.sustainweb.org/reports/apr25-local-food-growth-plan/  Read about Growing Communities: https://www.gcvegscheme.org/  Read about Carrick Greengrocers: https://carrickgreengrocers.org/  Read about Incredible Edible: https://www.incredibleedible.org.uk/ Read about the community Right To Grow campaign: https://www.incredibleedible.org.uk/what-we-do/right-to-grow/   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the UK’s driest spring on record, and England’s hottest June, this episode explores the causes of heatwaves, and what we can do to reduce the health and wellbeing impacts of extreme temperatures. We learn about the urban heat island affect with Professor Stefán Smith, Researcher and Lecturer at the University of Reading, and we look at the importance of water efficiency and soil health with Dr Laurence Couldrick, CEO at the Westcountry Rivers Trust. Listen now to discover: Why towns and cities get warmer and stay warmer than surrounding rural areas. How introducing more vegetation and bodies of water can have a localised cooling effect. How communities can come together to provide places of sanctuary for vulnerable people during heatwaves. How animals also suffer in the heat and what farmers can do to protect their livestock. Why it’s crucial to make space for water across the UK, to build resilience against the effects of our changing climate.Full transcript available at: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/prepare-for-heatwaves----------------------------------------------------- Show notes  Find out more about preparing for heatwaves: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/prepare-for-heatwaves  Explore all 25 Big Local Actions: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction         Listen back to previous episodes and series of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast  Read about Westcountry Rivers Trust’s work on drought resilience: https://wrt.org.uk/our-projects/  Read about Stefán’s research related to how people move around urban environments during extreme weather: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=NE%2FW002965%2F1  Learn about the Making Space for Water campaign: https://theriverstrust.org/making-space-for-water  Discover initiatives that are related to water security and resilience: https://carboncopy.eco/impact/safe-water  Contact us with comments or feedback: hello@carboncopy.eco   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast, host Isabelle Sparrow and producer Brad Ingham are joined by expert guests, Lottie Trewick, Research Analyst at nature restoration company Nattergal, and Steve Micklewright, CEO of Scottish charity Trees for Life to discuss the importance of boosting biodiversity through UK rewilding initiatives. Listen now to hear: How re-introducing key species like beavers, otters, lynx and wild cattle can have a huge impact on whole ecosystems. About the enormous funding gap for nature recovery globally, and how natural capital markets like those traded by Nattergal can bring in much needed contributions to meet this deficit. How important engagement is to ensure local people, landowners and farmers feel included in plans and will support them. What you can do to bring more nature into your local area. Full transcript available at: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/rewild-land----------------------------------------- Show notes Find out more about rewilding: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/rewild-land    Explore all 25 Big Local Actions: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction     Listen back to previous episodes and series of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast    Email your feedback and suggestions to us: hello@carboncopy.eco  Read about Trees for Life’s Tauros project: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/rewilding-tauros-wild-cattle  Read about Nattergal’s first site, Boothby Wildland: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/boothby-wildland  Learn more about Nattergal: https://www.nattergal.com/ Learn more about Knepp: https://knepp.co.uk/ Explore other Trees for Life projects: https://treesforlife.org.uk/Get more information about rewilding from: Rewild Britain: https://www.rewildingbritain.org.uk/  The Scottish Rewilding Alliance: https://www.rewild.scot/  Listen to our previous podcast episode about rewilding, Heal The Wild: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/all-nature-heal-the-wild  Learn about Biodiversity Net Gain: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/biodiversity-net-gain   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast we explore campaigns where local action is integral to national progress. We hear about We’re Right Here, the campaign for the Community Power Act. We chat to two of the campaign’s local leaders, Claude Hendrickson MBE, a diversity and inclusion expert and community housing advocate based in Leeds; and Charlotte Hollins, tenant farmer at Fordhall Farm, the UK’s first community-owned farm. We also learn about Zero Hour, the campaign for the Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill. We speak to Political Communications Manager Allan Gray, who tells us about a new push for people across the UK to show their support for the bill through constituency-specific open letters. We uncover how Climate Emergency UK’s latest Council Climate Action Scorecards can be used as a lobbying tool locally and at a national level to call for better funding and support for councils to implement their climate action plans, and hear about the call for climate statutory duty for councils, which would make targets legally binding for local authorities, and could help to accelerate action across the UK. Listen now and learn: Why engaging your MP and building a rapport could be the key to securing more political support for climate and nature. How delegating responsibilities for decision-making and service provision to local people could save time, money and resources. How to use the council climate action scorecards to learn more about the issues in your area so you can lobby for change locally. How to get involved by adding your voice to high-impact campaigns for climate and nature. Full transcript available at https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/lobby-for-change----------------------------------------------------- Show notes Find out more about lobbying for change: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/lobby-for-change Explore all 25 Big Local Actions: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction Listen back to previous episodes and series of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast  Find your Council’s Climate Action Scorecard score: https://councilclimatescorecards.uk/ Learn about Climate Statutory Duty for councils: https://climateemergency.uk/were-behind-on-our-climate-targets-for-2030-so-make-action-a-council-duty/ Learn about the We’re Right Here campaign: https://www.right-here.org/ Read about the Climate and Nature Bill, and sign an open letter in your constituency: https://action.zerohour.uk/ Take part in The Climate Coalition (TCC)’s Mass Lobby event: https://www.theclimatecoalition.org/act-now-change-forever  Share your thoughts, feedback or suggestions with us: hello@carboncopy.eco   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast we explore how switching the car for walking or cycling is a positive change that’s about so much more than climate. Join our host Isabelle Sparrow and guest co-host Izzy Romilly, Sustainable Transport Research & Campaign Manager at Possible, to learn how driving less and choosing an active lifestyle has health, air quality and economic benefits too! Hear from cycling advocates Mariam Draaijer of JoyRiders, and Katie Collier and Rosie Venner of Bike Worcester about their work helping more people, especially women and families, to choose cycling to get around. We also meet Joe Durbidge of IWGB and delve into the Hot Wheels campaign, which is calling for more support to allow couriers to choose sustainable transport options. Listen now and discover: The dramatic NHS savings possible if more people chose to cycle instead of drive. The biggest barriers to walking and cycling – and how these are being tackled. What you can do to help more people choose active travel where you live. Full transcript available at: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/walk-and-cycle--------------------------------------------- Show notes  Find out more about walking and cycling: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/walk-and-cycle  Discover all 25 Big Local Actions for climate and nature: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction       Listen back to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast Learn more about JoyRiders, on Carbon Copy: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/joyriders-women-cycling-together  Learn more about Bike Worcester, on Carbon Copy: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/bike-worcester  Read about Possible’s work on sustainable transport: https://www.wearepossible.org/getting-around  DIscover more about the London Cycling Campaign’s women’s network: https://lcc.org.uk/campaigns/womens-freedom/  Read about the Hot Wheels campaign: https://www.wearepossible.org/hotwheels  Learn more about Bikeability and cycle proficiency: https://www.bikeability.org.uk/  Share your feedback: hello@carboncopy.eco  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If food waste were a country, it would be the second biggest global emitter of carbon emissions after the US and China. It’s a big environmental, economic and social problem. In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast we chat to four different guests, each with a different perspective on how to prevent good food ending up in the bin. We hear from Fiona Bell whose initiative CropDrop helps to connect alloment growers to local food projects, we meet Kate Page from Fooditude, a London-based corporate catering business that is putting sustainability right at the top of the menu. We also explore different ways to use up surplus food, from the high-end event catering provided by Open Kitchen, to the vital support offered to local community organisations by FareShare. Listen to hear: Why food waste happens in the first place – and why it’s not just about what we can do individually. How businesses can save money and improve their environmental credentials through better planning around catering. Why more government funding is needed to make food waste from farms a thing of the past. What you can do to support organisations that are tackling this big local issue. Full transcript available at: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/reduce-food-waste.------------------------------------------------------ Show notes Find out more about reducing food waste: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/reduce-food-waste  Discover all 25 Big Local Actions for climate and nature: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction     Listen back to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast     Read more about CropDrop: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/cropdrop  Learn more about Fooditude: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/fooditude  Read about Open Kitchen: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/open-kitchen Learn about Menu for Change in Greater Manchester: https://www.openkitchenmcr.co.uk/menuforchange  Learn about FareShare: https://fareshare.org.uk/   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whilst planting trees might seem like an obvious action to tackle the climate and nature crises, there’s more to reforestation than meets the eye. In this episode of Do Something Bigger, from the Carbon Copy Podcast, we meet Carl Rowlinson founder of woodland creation initiative Plant One Cornwall, who shares his story of turning a feeling of helplessness about the world into a positive and impactful county-wide project. We also hear from the aptly named Dave Wood, CEO of Bristol-Avon based Avon Needs Trees; a charity taking an innovative approach to purchasing land specifically for woodland creation and management. Listen now to learn: Why simply planting trees does not go far enough. How trees are a fantastic way to engage different people in issues around nature and the environment. The importance of allowing natural species that might be usually considered “weeds” to grow and support young trees. That almost everyone has a favourite tree or trees, if they think about it hard enough! ------------------------------------------------------------------ Show notes For a full transcript visit: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/plant-more-treesFind out more about planting trees: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/plant-more-trees Discover all 25 Big Local Actions for climate and nature: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction     Listen back to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast    Read about Plant One Cornwall on the Carbon Copy website: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/plant-one  Read about Avon Needs Trees on the Carbon Copy website: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/avon-needs-trees  Read about finding tree-related action you can take near you via The Woodland Trust: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/protecting-trees-and-woods/campaign-with-us/take-action-in-your-community/   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Do Something Bigger from the Carbon Copy Podcast, we’re exploring how farming and food production, done in the right way, can bring huge benefits for nature and climate. Join host Isabelle Sparrow and special guest co-host Kathryn Machin, Head of Community Engagement Campaigns at WWF UK to explore why involving farmers and food producers in conversations about nature and climate is so important. We speak to Martin Lines – an arable farmer from Cambridgeshire who is also CEO of the Nature Friendly Farming Network – to learn more about the ways the public can support farmers who are transitioning to more sustainable practices; and we hear from Stephanie McEvoy, who works with farmers and agri-food businesses in Northern Ireland to encourage peer-to-peer learning and more nature-focused ways of working. Listen to learn: More about WWF UK’s work supporting farmers and sustainable agriculture. What the Nature Friendly Farming Network does and how you can get involved. Why peer-to-peer learning is particularly important for farmers. What steps you can take (even if you’re not a farmer) to support nature-friendly farming practices. -------------------------------------------------------------- Show notes For a full transcript visit: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/farm-with-natureFind out more about farming with nature: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/farm-with-nature Discover all 25 Big Local Actions for climate and nature: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction   Listen back to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast  Listen to Bigger Than All Of Us – our podcast episode all about the People’s Plan for Nature: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/bigger-than-all-of-us  Read the People’s Plan for Nature: https://peoplesplanfornature.org/  Read about Stephanie’s work with farmers in Northern Ireland: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/farming-carbon  Sign up to be a member of the Nature Friendly Farming Network: https://www.nffn.org.uk/ Read about WWF’s work to mend the broken food system: https://www.wwf.org.uk/food  Learn more about WWF’s work on regenerative agriculture: https://www.wwf.org.uk/food/farming/regenerative-agriculture  Read the Land of Plenty report: https://www.wwf.org.uk/updates/land-of-plenty  Read about WWF’s Eat For Change programme: https://www.wwf.org.uk/eat4change   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.