Connecting Climate

Connecting the climate work of local communities, businesses, and organisations is at the heart of everything FODCAP does. 

We connect groups to work together on fair, visionary, and strategic climate work. We help share information, contacts, and knowledge for effective climate action. And we work to involve a greater diversity of people, partners, and groups in climate work across the Forest of Dean.

Keeping you updated - FODCAP Newsletter

FODCAP sends out a quarterly newsletter to keep you connected with what is going on around climate across the Forest of Dean.

This report documents what local communities, groups, and stakeholders  feel is needed to build effective climate partnerships for a just transition in the Forest of Dean.

Working with Community

At FODCAP, we are committed to supporting local people, places, and priorities — and community is central to that mission. We are proud to work with groups and partners across the District to help them strengthen and celebrate local climate work. There’s so much going on, we’ve dedicated a whole page to it: Priority Area – Community & Youth.

Working with Business

FODCAP works with The Forest Economic Partnership (FEP) who brings together businesses from across the Forest of Dean to cultivate a thriving local economy. One of FEP’s working groups is the Climate Action and Net Zero Subgroup, which FODCAP participates in, helping coordinate climate-related work across the district.

FEP also runs the Forest Business Climate Charter, which remove barriers to businesses taking action on climate change. Local businesses can sign up to be part of the Climate Charter for free. Another FEP initiative is ForestCollab, an online platform where businesses can share excess resources and work together on sustainability projects.  

Working with Local Authority

The Forest of Dean District Council has declared a climate emergency and developed a Climate Emergency Strategy and Action Plan. They are working to strengthen connections across local initiatives and are active members of Climate Leadership Gloucestershire. You can explore their dedicated climate page here.

In 2025, the Council will be updating its Climate Emergency Strategy and Action Plan. To stay informed and find out how you can contribute, sign up for the Council’s Climate Action Newsletter.

As part of its commitment to long-term sustainability, the Council is also applying for UNESCO Biosphere Designation for the Forest of Dean. This is a global framework that promotes sustainable living and thinking. There are currently only seven in the UK and around 140 worldwide. If successful, this status would help protect the Forest for future generations while keeping it firmly in the hands of local communities. It’s not about restricting use, it’s about inspiring new ways of thinking, planning, and working together.

In summer 2025, the Council is piloting the One Planet Tool to explore even deeper collaboration around climate action within the district. You can view a demonstration of the tool here. FODCAP is participating in this pilot. To learn more, please contact climate.action@fdean.org.uk.

Working with Stakeholders on Climate across the Forest

The Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF) serves as a cornerstone for community-driven action in the District, supporting many local voluntary and community groups.

Through initiatives like the Forest Youth Association and the Digital Hubs Project, FVAF empowers residents to engage in local development and environmental stewardship. This aligns with FODCAP's priorities in food, farming, community and youth, where both organisations collaborate to build a resilient, inclusive, and climate-conscious District.

Forestry England, which manages the nation's forests including large areas of the Forest of Dean, plays a key role in protecting and sustaining these landscapes for wildlife, recreation, and future generations.

Forestry England’s Our Shared Forest - Land Management Plan can be found here.

Visit Dean Wye promotes sustainable tourism across the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley, supporting local businesses while helping to protect the area’s natural and cultural heritage. They actively align their work with six of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, collaborating with over 300 local businesses to build a fairer, greener, and more resilient visitor economy. Their Sustainability Action Plan takes a nature-first approach to marketing and tourism development, aiming to preserve the landscape for both visitors and residents.

Climate Leadership Gloucestershire brings together the seven Gloucestershire councils, along with health and academia partners, to collaborate on ambitious climate initiatives, share expertise, and coordinate actions across the county to drive meaningful and lasting environmental change.