Planning for the first Climate & Biodiversity Festival is ongoing and the programme of events is slowly taking shape.

The festival will run from 13-26 September and aims to showcase what is happening at a local level to support Bath and North East Somerset Council's commitment to reach net zero carbon by 2030.

It also enables the area to tie in with the national and international debate ahead of COP15 in China in October and COP26 in Glasgow in November.

The two-week programme includes several events organised by local community groups and businesses such as 3SG, the Friends of Broadmoor Lane Community Orchard, Energy Sparks, FACE (Families Acting on Climate Emergency) and Greener Matters, but organisers are hoping more groups and individuals will come forward to discuss running their own activities as part of the festival.

The Business Hub at 15 Cheap Street, Bath will be hosting community run face-to-face events on Thursday 16, Saturday 20, Thursday 23 and Saturday 25 September.

Key themes for the festival are about positive, practical action related to reducing carbon emissions and restoring nature.

Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader, Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel said: "The festival will help to highlight all the fantastic work that is going on throughout Bath and North East Somerset to reduce carbon emissions, restore nature and improve biodiversity.

"We've had a great response so far from people wanting to get involved. This is an opportunity for all those community groups, Parish Councils, and individuals to tell everyone what they have been doing to bring about change and inspire others to take action."

The organisers are promoting several events that are running alongside the festival such as the Somer Valley Walking Festival, Bathscape Walking Festival, Shoscombe Eco Day and Keynsham Eco Day.

Please get in touch if you are interested in organising an event in your community or local group. You can find more information about the festival and register to take part on the website. Or you can email [email protected].