Climate Emergency
There is clear evidence that we’re in a climate emergency, with the UK experiencing rising temperatures and more extreme weather events such as flooding, heatwaves and storms. It’s important that everyone understands the urgency of the climate emergency and what actions are needed to urgently reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reach net zero as quickly as possible.
What We Do
Although individual and community action is important we also need system change which requires policy changes at national, regional and local government level.
Transition Chesterfield is a member of, and works with, local, county and regional climate coalitions and other groups to campaign for policy changes and actions that can address the climate emergency. These include the following:
Chesterfield Climate Alliance which formed in 2015 just before the Paris Climate Agreement was signed and was active in the anti-fracking movement. They have set up a Chesterfield and District Flood Action Group to amplify the voices of victims and survivors of floods in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire and find solutions to flooding problems.
Derbyshire Climate Coalition which formed in early 2019 to call on councils across Derbyshire and Derby to declare a climate emergency and develop climate action plans. They have monthly meetings and lobby councils and MPs for action on climate change (see Resources section for more info)
The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) Climate Coalition which formed in 2023 to lobby the newly formed East Midlands Mayor and Combined County Authority (EMCCA) to adopt a Climate Action Plan. Coordinated by Friends of the Earth, they meet monthly and lobby the Mayor and the Authority on transport, energy and climate issues. Better Buses East Midlands, which is campaigning to get East Midlands buses taken back into public control, is part of the EMCCA Climate Coalition.
We also support regional campaigns that aim to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote sustainable alternatives including Divest Derbyshire.
Chesterfield Borough Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and has published a climate action plan. It now has a regular Climate Forum.
More resources
EMCCA Climate Coalition briefing on ‘Rethinking how transport funding is spent in the East Midlands’ (2025)
Derbyshire Climate Coalition Position paper on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) for cement and lime (2024)
Transition Chesterfield’s paper on Chesterfield’s carbon emissions to Chesterfield Borough Council on the lack of progress in reducing GHG emissions and presentation to the Council’s Climate Forum. (2024)
Transition Chesterfield’s Response to Derbyshire County Council’s consultation on the draft Minerals Plan (which governs extraction of fossil fuels and minerals). (2023)
Transition Chesterfield’s Response to Chesterfield Borough Council’s consultation on the climate action plan.(2022)
How to get involved
Join a local, county or regional climate coalition
Sign up to the EMCCA Climate Coalition mailing list and/or googlegroup. Contact Richard Dyer at Richard.dyer@foe.org.uk
Sign up to the Derbyshire Climate Coalition mailing list at https://mailchi.mp/95f8924a8002/coalition
Sign up the Chesterfield Climate Alliance mailing list or join the Chesterfield and District Flood Action group. Contact Steph at chesterfieldclimatealliance@gmail
Join the Divest Derbyshire campaign. Contact divest@transitionchesterfield.org.uk
Contact your MP or local councillor
It’s important that our elected representatives hear that local people care about climate action. Contact your MP or your local Derbyshire County Councillor or Chesterfield Borough Councillor.
Join the Chesterfield Borough Council Climate Forum
The forum meets regularly to discuss how best to promote climate action in Chesterfield.
“We are the first generation to feel the effect of climate change and the last generation who can do something about it”
Get in touch
Contact Lisa at:
newsletter@transitionchesterfield.org.uk