The People’s Emergency Briefing - here’s what we do next!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the People’s Emergency Briefing screening and discussion.
We had well over 150 people in the room across both sessions - a strong turnout to come together, sit with the realities of the climate and nature crisis, and begin exploring what that means for us here in Edinburgh.
The film shared some hard-hitting truths. What felt important was taking the time, collectively, to sit with that - and to open up space for conversation afterwards.
Across both sessions, we heard from the room about the scale of the challenge, but also the importance of community, connection and collective action. There was a clear sense that while the situation is urgent, there is already a huge amount happening locally - and real potential to build on that.
About the People’s Emergency Briefing
The People’s Emergency Briefing, held at Westminster Central Hall on 27th November and attended by over 1,200 MPs, peers and leaders from across UK society, brought together senior experts to present a clear, evidence-based account of the risks facing the UK and the scale of response required.
This public information programme works to ensure that both Parliament and the public are clearly and honestly briefed on the climate and nature crisis. This film extends that work to communities across the UK.
The Larger Plan
The National Emergency Briefing is building support for a government-backed, televised emergency briefing to the nation. This depends on constructive engagement between communities and their MPs, something people across the UK are already beginning to do by inviting MPs to screenings and asking them to support the Parliamentary Call.
By being here, you are part of a growing national effort to ensure the UK is properly informed and able to respond. Across the UK, local organisers are already stepping forward to build practical responses. This screening is part of that wider effort - and an opportunity to get involved.
What next?
For many, the question leaving the room was what now?
There isn’t one answer - but there are many ways in. That might look like getting involved in a local group, starting conversations in your own community, reaching out to your MP or councillors, or coming along to another ECCAN event.
If you’ve got an idea of your own, the GreenLight fund is now open to support community-led climate action across the city.
Speakers & local projects
A big thank you to our panellists, all working in different ways across community-led initiatives:
3:00–5:00 screening
Jason Ran – Edinburgh Napier University (Sociology and Social Policy)
Agi Awa Kaira – ECCAN Trustee (environmental and social governance specialist)
Fiona Macaulay – Mwamba (climate justice and international collaboration)
Barbara Hamilton – Edinburgh Remakery (repair, reuse and skills-sharing)
6:30–8:30 screening
Chris Hellawell – Edinburgh Tool Library (tool sharing and community skills)
Ellen Grünewald – Porty Community Energy (community-owned renewable energy)
Jessie Lindsay – (green vs grey infrastructure research and Fringe Green Directory)
Together, they reflected the breadth of work already happening across Edinburgh - from repair and reuse, to community energy, research and advocacy.
If something you heard resonated, it’s worth following it up. There's a wide range of groups and projects to get involved with across Edinburgh, you can find one that suits you by 👉 exploring our Members Map.
Joining ECCAN is a simple way to stay connected and hear about what’s happening across the network. We also list upcoming member events - offering lots of chances to meet others and get a feel for what’s happening locally.
Host your own screening
The People’s Emergency Briefing is designed to be shared. If you’re part of a group or community space, you can host your own screening and continue the conversation locally. ECCAN is here to support you with that process - please get in touch if this is something you’re interested in. More info. below on hosting a community screening.
You can also keep engaging with the People’s Emergency Briefing here:
Share your response and reflections to help shape the future of the screening
Explore practical next steps in your community and with your MP
Stay connected with the wider movement
Write to your MP
We shared a template letter at the event to help people get started. Personalising it - even briefly - makes it far more impactful. You can find this below. You can write in connection with ECCAN, another community group, or individually.
Writing to your MP is a simple but powerful way to ensure our voices are heard and to maintain pressure for meaningful action.
We’ll be sharing photos and videos from the day soon.
Thanks again to everyone who came and contributed - and for the role you’re already playing, or beginning to play, in responding to the climate crisis.
🌱 The ECCAN team