08 October 2025

Northumberland Green Table event brings climate groups together

Overview

Thirty stakeholders came together at the first in a series of Green Table events. As part of the CAIRN project, regular Green Table events are to be held across the rural north to help bring climate action groups together for networking and discussions.

The events are about connecting, sharing challenges and opportunities, and learning from each other.  

On Tuesday 23rd September, at Rothbury Jubilee Institute, climate stakeholders met over lunch to hear presentations from Community Action Northumberland (CAN) about their work during the CAIRN project. The CAN team shared updates from a busy year visiting homes across the county, giving free, impartial advice and support to homeowners looking to reduce their energy bills and be more energy efficient.  

Find out more about CAIRN
Green Table Event Poster

Christine Nicholls, who leads CAN’s energy team, said

“The free lightbulbs and radiator reflector panels might be what gets us through the door, but the home visits are about much more than that. When we’re in someone’s home we’re there to understand their needs and deliver advice on what’s possible in their specific circumstances. We’ll give support, signpost people to grants and services if they’re eligible, and even test the carbon monoxide levels in their home.” 

Guest speakers

The event also saw Paul Barrett of Northumberland Wildlife Trust give an update on the Rothbury Estate, which was sold to the trust earlier this year for the first time in its history. With the Wildlife Trust’s focus on quality of life as well as climate, possible future projects like a visitors centre and peatland restoration are now being considered.  

Already underway in Rothbury are a range of climate projects led by Rothbury CAN, an umbrella organisation which brings together smaller groups and individuals with interests as varied as tree protection, nature recovery, rubbish collection, transport, housing, retrofit and a popular local repair café.  

Participants shared lots of examples of the ways in which climate action can bring about unexpected benefits for people and places. Restoring peatland can make waterways cleaner, and the naturally spongy, wet habitat can protect against floods and wildfires. Radiator panels and retrofitting can reduce bills and make homes and community buildings more energy efficient and feel warmer. Green skills initiatives and apprenticeships can also create new opportunities for rural workers, businesses, and young people. 

CAIRN Green Table

Takeaways

One of the day’s main takeaways was how sensitive and contentious it is becoming for rural community organisations to talk about climate. Faced with myriad other pressures and difficulties, including rising costs, ageing populations, and a lack of volunteers, communities are increasingly looking for win-win climate action activities that bring about economic, social and health benefits too.  

Contact details:

To find out more about upcoming Green Table events, please contact

Anna Revell at: annarevell@ca-north.org.uk 

Related resources

Loading...