Our Zero Selby: a community-led, resident driven contribution to a just transition

Previously home to large coal mining and shipbuilding communities, Selby has felt the effects of previous industrial transitions. Today it hosts the UK’s largest generator of renewable electricity, as well as significant manufacturing, distribution and farming operations. Significant change lies ahead for the town as it attempts to transition to a decarbonised economy.   

Working with Forum for the Future and public participation experts Involve, local charity Up for Yorkshire established the Our Zero Selby initiative with the aim to demonstrate that the residents of one Yorkshire town have the will and ability to identify and drive climate action in response to the transition that lies ahead. 

The changes we will experience as we transition to a net-zero economy are unprecedented, but local communities are often treated as passive actors in the shifts that are taking place. With more than half of the UK’s targets to achieve net-zero dependent on the actions of individuals, informed consent and active participation of citizens and communities will be critical if we are to achieve change at the pace and scale required.  

Our Zero Selby’s engagement and governance processes were specifically designed and facilitated to be as inclusive as possible, ensuring that those engaged were reflective of local demographics and all socio-economic groups. It demonstrates how residents, businesses and civil society groups can work together to explore the likely impacts of the transition and generate their own ideas about how their community can respond. 

Our Zero Selby demonstrates how citizens and communities can play an active role in creating a just transition to a net-zero world. Forum for the Future believes that this type of inclusive engagement is critical to build the collective knowledge and appetite needed for the change required and will, by increasing collaboration with government and the business sector, maximise the opportunities created by the transition. 

If the UK is to achieve its net-zero targets and a just transition, an important part of the story will be the role of community initiatives throughout the country like Our Zero Selby that aspire to reduce emissions in ways that also offer up local opportunities for new skills, jobs, improved health and well-being.