Leeds Climathon: How can we deliver domestic carbon reduction in an age of austerity?

The Climate-KIC Climathon is a global 24-hour climate change event which will take place simultaneously in major cities around the world on 28 October 2016. 

In Leeds the Climate-KIC Climathon will begin on the morning of the 28 October GMT and finish on the following day. It is organised by the Priestley International Centre for Climate and Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy (CCCEP) to create new solutions which will reduce domestic carbon in the city of Leeds.  

[xyz-ihs snippet=”Climathon-2017-CTA”]

The Challenge

Innovative new business models are needed to ensure energy efficiency fulfils its potential to create carbon savings and cost savings for the city of Leeds. A third of Leeds’ carbon emissions are due to domestic energy consumption, which contributes substantially to GDP loss to the city. Although Leeds City Council has been successful in attracting funding for efficiency measures in the past, recent national policy changes mean these are no longer cost effective. We want people from a wide range of backgrounds to join the Leeds Climathon and come up with alternative ways of approaching and, crucially, financing this.

One option is the potential of a revolving fund, which captures and reinvests savings, specifically: finance sources for it; durability, versatility and attractiveness of design; its appeal to landlords and property owners and how it can fund the more expensive measures required by older homes. Other options include new initiatives to maximise householder participation in existing low cost solutions and novel solutions for improving energy efficiency, especially in the private rented sector.
Whatever your approach to this challenge, we want to hear from people with imagination, flair, experience and skills up for a mind-melding 24 hours of teamwork to catalyse domestic carbon reduction across the city.

Pitching to expert judges

The Climathon event will culminate in presentation of each group’s idea in front of panel members who will provide valuable feedback. The panel is comprised of different science and business experts.

Partners

Priestley International Centre for Climate

The Priestley International Centre for Climate  is unique in bringing together world leading expertise in all the key strands of climate change research.

Climate change and its impact on society and ecosystems is a global challenge and the centre aims to provide international solutions to the problems. Effective policy and solutions need to be underpinned by robust research and the Priestley Centre’s focus is on new interdisciplinary research partnerships that better link our physical, technological, economic and social understanding of climate change with strategies for mitigation and adaptation.

Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy (CCCEP)

The ESRC Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy (CCCEP) brings together some of the world’s leading researchers on climate change economics and policy, from many different disciplines. It was established in 2008 and its first phase ended on 30 September 2013. Its second phase commenced on 1 October 2013.

The Centre is hosted jointly by the University of Leeds and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and is chaired by Professor Lord Stern of Brentford. It is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

The Centre’s mission is to advance public and private action on climate change through rigorous, innovative research.

How to join the Climathon

How will you benefit from participating in Climathon?

• Help solve your city’s local climate challenge, and make your city more resilient to climate change
• Network with local leaders from academia, business and public authorities
• Develop your skills in public speaking, innovative thinking, prioritisation, and explore new tools and methodologies
• Join forces with other like-minded entrepreneurs and innovators
• Become a part of a global community working together to take climate action!

Register your interest now to join the Climathon global movement and drive climate action

[xyz-ihs snippet=”Climathon-2017-CTA”]