Nature Towns and Cities Belfast

The Belfast Nature Towns and Cities project are inviting you to attend our screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing — a nationally coordinated film and discussion initiative exploring the climate and nature crisis and what it means for communities, services and long-term resilience.

Hosted by Chris Packham CBE, the film brings together leading UK experts in climate science, health, food security, economics, national security and nature. It presents an evidence-based overview of the risks the crisis poses to the UK.

The People's Emergency Briefing exists to close the gap between what the science tells us and what people understand about the climate and nature crisis. We’re hosting these screenings to help bridge that gap and create opportunities for us to engage with the evidence together.

The Nature Towns and Cities Project in Belfast is a partnership between Belfast City Council and Ulster Wildlife. It will develop a blueprint for nature's recovery across Belfast and surrounding areas. Healthy, thriving ecosystems are fundamental to the wellbeing of both people and place, helping to create more resilient communities and landscapes. As the climate and nature crises are deeply interdependent, supporting nature's recovery is an essential part of building a sustainable future for all.

The message of this film is not one of despair, but of possibility. The National Emergency Briefing shows that while the climate and nature crisis poses significant challenges, there is still time to act. By understanding the risks and embracing proven solutions, we can create healthier, safer, and more resilient place for future generations.

The Film is Rate 16+

Complete the survey to sign up to a screening which we will be hosting on Tuesday 27th October in the Banqueting Hall of Belfast City Hall - light refreshments will be provided

Screening 1
12:00- Doors open
12:10-13.05 - Introduction and screening
13:05-13:20 - Discussion and closing comments
13:40 - Depart

Screening 2
17:30 - Doors Open
17:45 - 18:50 Introduction and screening 
18:50 - 19:10 Discussion and closing comments 
19.30 - Depart

The initiative is explicitly nonpartisan and is supported by organisations including the National Trust, Church of England, Exeter University, the Royal Meteorological Society, and the National Education Union. 

Screenings have been held by local councils across the UK, as well as organisations like the MET Office, Transport for London, the NHS, The National Lottery, English Heritage, Channel 4, the Ministry of Defence, and Nationwide Building Society.

Please email ntc@belfastcity.gov.uk if you have any questions

In addition to the need for capacity building, several emerging topics were identified which have helped us identify a few areas of the project for an initial focus. At the moment, these are:

1. Sustainability in ongoing work for Nature

Lots of great work is happening across Belfast and this often relies on short term funding  - what other options and approaches are there to sustain this work?

2. Greening the Grey

How can we better connect nature and people where they live, work and play. What could the implementation of green and blue infrastructure look like in Belfast?

3. Enhancing Nature in our Parks and Open Spaces

How can we manage what we already have differently, to better support nature and climate resilience?

Complete the following questions to tell us which forum (or forums) you would like to attend  - as well as telling us where, when and how you would like these to take place.

4. Biodiversity Net Gain Readiness

What could BNG implementation look like in Belfast when it comes here? and what innovative approaches can be taken when it comes to urban habitats?

Following our recent stakeholder forum we know that there is already excellent work happening across Belfast from a wide range of organisations, groups and communities that is supporting Nature and Climate Resilience. We also heard that there was an appetite amongst some of our attendees to undertake work in this area, but needed some support in getting there. 

Nature Towns and Cities is here to support communities and organisations to take action for nature and climate through training, upskilling and facilitating partnerships that can enable delivery.

This survey will help us identify what training and upskilling people would benefit from to start the work they want - or to make what they are doing already even better. 

Please tick all of the training examples that would be of interest to you or your organisation.

This survey will help us develop training opportunities  - sign up to our newsletter here to be notified when these are available.  

Fill in our short survey to help us understand what 'nature' means to people. You can also share your ideas for how we could better connect people to nature.