City Advocate Frances Bean Aids in Decarbonizing Public Institutions

City Advocate Frances Bean Aids in Decarbonizing Public Institutions

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Meet Frances Bean, the City Champions' guide to a greener future. As a Manager with the Carbon Trust's Cities and Regions team, Frances assists municipalities and public bodies to understand and achieve their net-zero commitments. Her mission? To help cities decarbonize, one brick at a time.

With a six-year stint under her belt advocating for energy efficiency and climate action in diverse sectors across the EU, Frances brings a wealth of experience to the table. Dabbling in marine environments, agriculture, and eventually energy, she's no stranger to shaping policies and targets. But as a lobbyist "with a good cause," she felt the need for more hands-on influence, leading her to the Carbon Trust.

The Carbon Trust: A Climate Champion

If you're looking to go green, look no further! The Carbon Trust is an internationally recognized climate consultancy, working alongside businesses, governments, and organizations to accelerate the shift to a low-carbon economy. Their Cities and Regions team offers tailored solutions for cities to lower their carbon footprint, from energy audits to technical site visits and facilitated workshops.

The Spark: Where Need Meets Opportunity

Frances' work with the Carbon Trust has exposed her to the tangible benefits of climate action within cities. "It gives you a level of satisfaction that you just don't get from writing reports that sit on a shelf," she tells us.

From Humble Beginnings to Net Zero

Cities across the UK are under increasing pressure to decarbonize, with many declaring climate emergencies and setting ambitious net-zero targets. Frances recognizes this widespread shift and the challenges that come with it. "Many cities are scratching their heads, not knowing where to start," she advises.

The Carbon Trust comes to the rescue, assisting cities to take the critical first step: calculating their carbon footprint. Once you know the size of the problem, you can focus resources effectively and measure progress over time.

The Power of Numbers

Especially for public bodies accountable for taxpayer dollars, measurable targets provide a solid business case for investing in sustainability initiatives. Whether it's retrofitting buildings with insulation or replacing streetlights with LED bulbs, these investments often come with a hefty price tag. Dollar signs are crucial for securing budgets and making sure the transition to a low-carbon economy happens.

Taking Action: From Projects to Partnerships

With the building blocks in place, Frances works with clients to identify opportunities for reducing emissions across their cities. This requires a comprehensive view, encompassing diverse and widespread building stock. Frances helps cities translate their vision into actionable plans, with a focus on unlocking potential partnerships between sectors and organizations.

The Unconventional Heroes of Net Zero Cities

The road to a low-carbon city is paved with unexpected heroes. From city planners to procurement managers, everyone has a role to play. Frances believes that it's crucial to build partnerships, facilitate dialogue, and encourage innovation to achieve urban sustainability goals.

An important partner? The public. Public pressure is what drives change. By staying informed and engaged, citizens can ensure their cities stay on track, working towards a greener future.

Every move, no matter how small, brings us closer to our goal. As Frances says, "You've got to make a start, you have got to be doing something." And remember: something is always better than nothing.

Embrace the Challenge: Net Zero Cities in a Nutshell

In working with cities to decarbonize, Frances and the Carbon Trust follow a logical path: setting targets, engaging stakeholders, securing funding, implementing sustainable infrastructure, and monitoring progress. It's a collaborative journey that requires the buy-in and participation of everyone from city planners to residents.

With a little determination, a lot of teamwork, and the support of innovative organizations like the Carbon Trust, we can turn our net-zero goals into a reality. The future is green, and it starts with you!

1. Frances Bean, a Manager with the Carbon Trust's Cities and Regions team, is a guide towards a greener future for cities.
2. The Carbon Trust is an internationally recognized climate consultancy that works with businesses, governments, and organizations to accelerate the shift to a low-carbon economy.
3. Frances assists municipalities and public bodies to understand and achieve their net-zero commitments, helping cities decarbonize, one brick at a time.
4. Climate action within cities has tangible benefits, according to Frances, providing a level of satisfaction that goes beyond writing reports.
5. Cities across the UK are under pressure to decarbonize, with many declaring climate emergencies and setting ambitious net-zero targets.
6. The Carbon Trust helps cities take the critical first step: calculating their carbon footprint, which enables resources to be focused effectively and progress to be measured over time.
7. A measurable target provides a solid business case for investing in sustainability initiatives, especially for public bodies accountable for taxpayer dollars.
8. Frances works with clients to identify opportunities for reducing emissions across their cities, focusing on diverse and widespread building stock.
9. The road to a low-carbon city is paved with unexpected heroes, from city planners to procurement managers, who all have a role to play.
10. Public pressure drives change, and by staying informed and engaged, citizens can ensure their cities remain on track towards a greener future.
11. In working with cities to decarbonize, Frances and the Carbon Trust follow a logical path of setting targets, engaging stakeholders, securing funding, implementing sustainable infrastructure, and monitoring progress - a collaborative journey that requires the buy-in and participation of everyone from city planners to residents. With determination, teamwork, and the support of innovative organizations like the Carbon Trust, turning net-zero goals into a reality is possible - the future is green, and it starts with you!

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