2026 Family assembly at halfway point

Family assembly 6 January 2026

Halfway from the first assembly in 2020 to 2030 and the target to be zero carbon as individuals and households and participating in nature recovery. Representatives from the UK, US and Canada (5 households and 9 people) that covered behaviour at home and work and the current political situations. Campaigns to use Downing Street for climate emergency briefings and for university and civic buildings to install carbon counters. One initiative has been a conscience payment to assist charities working on the emergency (flora, fauna and climate) which is not being helped by transatlantic flying (definitely not off-setting). ‘Possible’ has devised a sustainable travel scheme where the extra time spent on low carbon modes can be claimed as leave. One house with improved insulation, one family scrapping and ICE and going EV. One more convert to vegetarianism and another exercising portion control when meat involved. REA’s Green Gas scheme is being rolled out in Canada and most impressive innovation is in Cambridge City with two heat networks looking to heat (13) colleges and civic buildings to address issues with heritage buildings. Meanwhile Cambridge reaching ‘urban forest’ status with significant tree planting.

Our youngest recruit (10yrs) described his eco-council at school and an eco-house project with insulation and solar panels.

In the US the federal situation is terrible (including influence over the border to Canada where damage might have long term effects, and cancellation of wind farm) but much more promising in blue states including New York. Congestion charge and composting working well in NY and green energy supply being used. Flying limited to weddings where no lower carbon alternative. Movement Voter Project devised for those in blue states to give financial assistance to those campaigning in purple / swing) states.

Progress has been made towards electrification of travel and heating and on meat awareness and some reduction. Babies make it harder to reduce consumption (inc car use).