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Co-producing Bradford’s Just Transition: Community Climate Evidence

News

Posted on Monday 3 November 2025

New Report Launch: Putting Bradford’s Communities at the Heart of Climate Action

Bradford is developing its Climate Action Plan (CAP) to achieve net zero and secure a just transition for all residents. This report, "Co-producing Bradford’s Just Transition: Community Climate Evidence," delivers vital community evidence to ensure the CAP is equitable, inclusive, and grounded in local realities.

The project, driven by the University of York’s Healthy Livelihoods team in partnership with Bradford HDRC and the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council’s Sustainability Service, worked directly with two key wards: Tong and Bowling & Barkerend. These areas were specifically chosen due to their potential vulnerability during the net zero transition.

What are the key findings?

The research was built on ethical, co-produced partnerships with local organisations, The Sutton Centre and The Anchor Project. Six local residents were trained as Climate Community Researchers to co-design and co-facilitate workshops.

The project culminated in the creation of Two Community Climate Manifestos, directly voicing the communities’ top priorities for climate action. The findings emphasize the need to reframe climate discussions around issues that matter most to residents, including:

  • Public Transportation

  • Family and Children

  • Schools and Education

  • Housing

  • Community Safety

Core recommendations for Bradford's CAP

The report provides three actionable recommendations to embed community voice into the CAP's implementation:

  1. Adopt a ‘Person-First’ Framing (Rec 1): Connect climate policies directly to people’s everyday lives (e.g., health, travel, home comfort, and safety).

  2. Prioritise Coordinated, Multi-Actor Partnerships (Rec 2): Design projects that build shared responsibility and resources across Bradford Council, community groups, and other local actors.

  3. Establish Meaningful Two-Way Communication (Rec 3): Create authentic, ongoing dialogue where community feedback can genuinely influence policy decisions.

A message from a Climate Community Researcher

"Taking on this role has been very insightful... I found the approach to be sensitive, non-judgemental, positively directed, and heard healthy conversations. It is heartwarming to know that the community's perspectives were sought to contribute towards Bradford's climate change." — Fatima* (pseudonym) 

Read the Full Report and Community Manifesto

Or download a PDF version:

Climate Final Report November 2025 v2 (PDF , 31,718kb)