TICKETS are now available for the climate conference on October 28, when residents and businesses can give their views on tackling the climate crisis. 

The conference, hosted by West Berkshire Council, will be at Newbury College and runs from 10am until 4pm. 

Richard Benyon, the MP for Newbury, will open the conference, while the keynote speaker is Tom Heap, the rural affairs correspondent for BBC News and presenter on Countryfile. 

The council declared a climate emergency in July, and pledged to make West Berkshire carbon neutral by 2030. 

This means the amount of carbon dioxide emissions should be net zero: the amount put out should be the same as or less than that taken in. 

Sessions include the science of climate change, land use, sustainable transport, renewable energy, waste, and more. 

People living in West Berkshire are invited to attend the conference, and can book tickets from the council’s website. 

Councillor Steve Ardagh-Walter (Con, Thatcham Colthrop & Crookham), lead member for the environment, said: “The conference will be a great opportunity for local people to be involved with our work and to contribute their views, ideas and experiences as we look at shared solutions we can adopt in the district. 

“We have an impressive line-up of speakers for the day and a great chance for everyone to join together to enable real change. I would encourage people to book their places as soon as possible.” 

Cllr Steve Masters (Green, Newbury Speen) said: “If we as a council are to take the public with us on this journey we must engage in a two way dialogue. 

“Communication is vital and this conference not only allows the council to speak to the residents of West Berkshire but also offers an opportunity for residents to speak directly to the council. As a council we must first listen and then act.”

The date of the conference, on a Monday, was previously criticised by opposition councillors, who said it would be difficult for working people to attend. 

Cllr Lynne Doherty (Con, Newbury Speen), the leader of the council, said she decided the conference should be in half term, so young people could come.

The conference is one of the first initiatives to come from the council’s environment board. The board will create an environment strategy and oversee projects to work towards carbon neutrality in West Berkshire by 2030.