Places of Worship as Centres for Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience
A conference for faith leaders, councillors, local authority officers, voluntary sector organisations, community leaders and environmental practitioners in the West Midlands. Hosted by Footsteps and sponsored by the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Climate change is no longer a distant threat. The record-breaking heatwaves of 2026 brought unprecedented temperatures across the UK, while wildfire incidents the West Midlands demonstrated how extreme weather is creating new challenges for our communities and public services. Around the world, communities are also facing floods, droughts, wildfires and glacial collapse. Together, these events underline the urgent need to strengthen local resilience and prepare for a more uncertain climate future
Faith-based organisations and places of worship are trusted institutions operating at the heart of communities. They play a vital role in supporting people before, during and after times of crisis. They are uniquely placed to strengthen community resilience, support vulnerable residents, and help communities adapt to a changing climate.
This conference will explore how faith communities, local authorities and community organisations can work together to build a more climate-resilient West Midlands. Through inspiring case studies, expert insights and collaborative discussions, participants will examine the opportunities for places of worship to become hubs of climate adaptation, community support and local action.
The conference will be opened by Cllr Julien Pritchard, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, and will hear from the Mayor of the West Midlands.
Interactive Discussions & networking
Participants will have opportunities to engage directly with representatives and specialists from:
- West Midlands Combined Authority
- Birmingham City Council Route to Zero Team
- Sustainability West Midlands
- Ashden Climate Solutions
- Health and wellbeing organisations
- Climate adaptation and resilience practitioners
Featured speakers
- Amrick Singh Ubhi DL, Nishkam Centre and co-chair Birmingham Faith Covenant Partnership;
- Kamran Shezad, Bahu Trust who recently took a group of Balsall Heath to Northern Pakistan to volunteer and study at first hand the impacts of climate change;
- Angella Del Mundo, Footsteps’ Climate Adaptation lead and Sacred Spaces, Resilient Places student investigation coordinator.
Facilitated Table Discussions
As part of the event there will be table discussions on different topics facilitated by a host. If you have a preference for a particular topic, please choose from the list when registering, so that we can allocate tables appropriately.
- Places of worship supporting their local communities
- Faith communities & health and well-being
- Support needs from Birmingham City Council
- Faith communities & Nature-based resilience
- Councils working with faith communities
- Empowering and engaging with younger people
- Learning from other community led approaches