The Dialogue is an annual event, organised by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in advance of the COP climate change conference, with the objective of sharing experiences, good practice and lessons learned, and putting forward ideas to help scale-up and accelerate climate action globally.

The focus of the 5th Dialogue was education and training to enable climate change action.

Jonny Sadler, Programme Director for MCCA presented on Manchester’s approach to involving stakeholders in the development and delivery of the city’s climate change strategy.

He spoke about the importance of using diverse methods to reach as many people as possible, including the Eco-Schools initiative (91% of Manchester schools are members), the UpRising Environmental Leadership programme and Carbon Literacy project.

"Manchester is a city passionate about action on climate change," said Jonny. "Based on the views of our residents and businesses, the city has committed to become zero carbon by 2050, or even sooner if that’s what it takes to play our part in global efforts to limit temperature increases to well below 2°C."

"This level of science-based ambition is what’s possible if you properly involve local stakeholders in the development of local policy," Jonny continued. "The key to success is now continuing with this inclusive approach so that every individual and organisation in the city is supported and enabled to help realise our shared ambitions.” 

"By connecting excellent exhibitions and events with contemporary issues and really strong partnerships...we can support people to make the difference they want to make,"

Henry McGhie, Head of Collections at Manchester Museum, spoke about the potential of museums as sites for climate empowerment. They reach a large number of people with a passion for learning, their collections span human and environmental history, and they promote critical thinking and aim to inspire visitors.

Henry discussed how museums could reposition themselves to focus as much on the future as they do on preserving the past, and give people more opportunities to express what matters to them and the concerns they have.

The Museum’s Climate Control exhibition (developed in partnership with MCCA and Dr. Sarah Mander of Tyndall Manchester in 2016 as part of European City of Science) was presented to demonstrate this approach.

In a period of four months in 2016, the exhibition reached nearly 100,000 people who were given opportunities to share their views and ideas.

"By connecting excellent exhibitions and events with contemporary issues and really strong partnerships and truly aiming to inspire and enable people, we can support people to make the difference they want to make," said Henry. "This is what it means to be a civic museum that is socially relevant, responsible and purposeful."

You can learn more about the 5th Dialogue on Action for Climate Empowerment here.