Carbon Copy Podcast

In April 2026, the People’s Emergency Briefing began to roll out across the UK. The 50-minute Gogglebox-style film, includes footage taken at the National Emergency Briefing event held in Westminster in November 2025, interviews with climate experts and scientists and reactions from celebrities and members of the public. The team behind the briefings: brothers Simon and Nick Oldridge and thei...

In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast, recorded at the launch event for our new report: “From Footprint to Changeprint,” we explore the key characteristics and success factors shared by high-impact place-based initiatives from across the UK. Hosted by Carbon Copy trustee and Eunomia consultant Izzy Williamson, the episode delves into the methodology behind the research, reveals...

In this special one-off episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast, Head of Communications and podcast host Isabelle Sparrow chats to Carbon Copy co-founder and Trustee, Ric Casale about the charity’s exciting new concept: Changeprint.  Every action leaves a Changeprint. A Changeprint is the collective impact created when people join with others to make something happen. It’s visible proof that colla...

In this, the final episode of the series, hosts Isabelle and Bradley are joined by author and activist Mya-Rose Craig (AKA Birdgirl) and Emma River-Roberts to discuss how to make climate and nature action truly inclusive, and why it matters. We learn about Mya-Rose's organisation Black2Nature and the work she is doing to introduce her love of the outdoors to young people of colour; and we discover...

We might be a quarter of the way through the 21st century, but our energy system in still stuck in the past, with distribution of power still reliant on the National Grid and few options for people to take control of their energy needs on a local level. In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast, we speak to three guests who are looking to disrupt the status quo and empower people to collectively...

In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast we head to Wales, to explore two fantastic examples of community hubs. Hwb y Gors is a newly opened arts and sustainability education centre in Cwmgors, Neath Port Talbot, which has been developed in an old Victiorian school building and is supporting the local community through a huge range of creative activities and wellbeing initiatives; and Tŷ Pawb is...

The UK has some of the lowest quality and least energy efficient housing stock in Europe, and the majority of our buildings are still heated by gas fired boilers. This is despite huge hikes in fuel prices in recent years, and the introduction of subsidies for greener alternatives. For many people, low-carbon heating is inaccessible due to high upfront costs or unsuitable due to poor insulation. In...

In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast, host Isabelle Sparrow is joined by Vera Zakharov, Local Action Coordinator at Sustain, to speak about food partnerships and how the Sustainable Food Places programme is supporting the creation of a better, more connected food system across the UK. We meet guests from two very different food partnerships – Martin Carle from Granite City Good Food, in Aber...

In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast we explore the origins and the impacts of The Carbon Literacy Project. We speak to co-founder Phil Korbel, about how and why the initiative started, and about its exponential growth over the last thirteen years. We meet Linda Foley, an experienced educator and Manchester City Councillor, who discovered Carbon Literacy in her efforts to engage more of the...

In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast, host Isabelle Sparrow is joined by Isabel Mack, founder of the Party Kit Network CIC, to discuss the world of possibilities offered through borrowing. Whilst most people are familiar with book libraries, there are now hundreds of initiatives across the UK (and beyond) that allow the borrowing of other items –from household appliances to sports equipment...

In this episode of Do Something Bigger from the Carbon Copy Podcast, join host Isabelle Sparrow with guest co-host, Kiloran O’Leary from Sustain to learn how producing and eating local food can help people connect with each other and bring positive change to their communities.  Listen now to learn:  How Sustain is supporting food-related businesses to help more people on lower incomes to...

In this episode of Do Something Bigger, from the Carbon Copy Podcast, hosts Isabelle Sparrow and Bradley Ingham meet three guests who are trying to improve the perception and the reality of using public transport in the UK. We hear from Michael Solomon Williams, Head of Campaigns at the Campaign for Better Transport and learn why it is still relevant in 2025, more than fifty years after the campai...

Following the UK’s driest spring on record, and England’s hottest June, this episode explores the causes of heatwaves, and what we can do to reduce the health and wellbeing impacts of extreme temperatures. We learn about the urban heat island affect with Professor Stefán Smith, Researcher and Lecturer at the University of Reading, and we look at the importance of water efficiency and soil health w...

In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast, we explore how sharing ownership between many people enables communities to protect valuable buildings, businesses and green spaces for the good of all. Join hosts Isabelle Sparrow and Bradley Ingham as they discuss the challenges and the benefits of raising money through a community share offer; and how three initiatives: Jubilee Farm in Northern Irelan...

In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast, host Isabelle Sparrow and producer Brad Ingham are joined by expert guests, Lottie Trewick, Research Analyst at nature restoration company Nattergal, and Steve Micklewright, CEO of Scottish charity Trees for Life to discuss the importance of boosting biodiversity through UK rewilding initiatives.  Listen now to hear:  How re-introducing key spe...

Plastic, specifically single-use plastic, is ubiquitous in all of our lives. Food, beauty products, household items – nearly all come with in plastic bag, container or even both. In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast, host Isabelle Sparrow is joined by Daniel Webb, founded and CEO of Everyday Plastic, to discuss how we can collectively reduce the 1.7 billion pieces of plastic thrown away in t...

In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast we explore campaigns where local action is integral to national progress. We hear about We’re Right Here, the campaign for the Community Power Act. We chat to two of the campaign’s local leaders, Claude Hendrickson MBE, a diversity and inclusion expert and community housing advocate based in Leeds; and Charlotte Hollins, tenant farmer at Fordhall Farm, th...

When we think of protecting nature, we almost always think of forests, meadows, rivers and lakes – and the animals that reside in them. But nature extends way beyond the tide line. Beneath the waves there are habitats and species that not only enrich our lives, but are fundamental to them. In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast we connect the dots between the land and sea, and explore how work...

In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast we explore how switching the car for walking or cycling is a positive change that’s about so much more than climate. Join our host Isabelle Sparrow and guest co-host Izzy Romilly, Sustainable Transport Research & Campaign Manager at Possible, to learn how driving less and choosing an active lifestyle has health, air quality and economic benefits too!...

In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast, host Isabelle Sparrow is rejoined by Kathryn Machin, Head of Community Engagement Campaigns at WWF UK, to explore their work and those of organisations around the UK, to help more people to spend more time in nature. We learn how Tayshan-Hayden Smith and members of his community in North Kensington have transformed previously derelict spaces into thrivin...

If food waste were a country, it would be the second biggest global emitter of carbon emissions after the US and China. It’s a big environmental, economic and social problem. In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast we chat to four different guests, each with a different perspective on how to prevent good food ending up in the bin. We hear from Fiona Bell whose initiative CropDrop helps to conne...

The energy transition is not just about reducing carbon emissions. Local community-generated power can bring huge benefits to communities – economic, social and environmental. In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast we chat to John Taylor from Community Energy England and Beth McAllister from Oxfordshire’s Low Carbon Hub, about the positive impact that generating energy locally can have. Listen...

Whilst planting trees might seem like an obvious action to tackle the climate and nature crises, there’s more to reforestation than meets the eye. In this episode of Do Something Bigger, from the Carbon Copy Podcast, we meet Carl Rowlinson founder of woodland creation initiative Plant One Cornwall, who shares his story of turning a feeling of helplessness about the world into a positive and impact...

In this episode of Do Something Bigger from the Carbon Copy Podcast, host Isabelle Sparrow and producer Bradley Ingham chat to reuse and repair experts Dr Adam Read MBE and Clare Seek. They discuss the plethora of co-benefits brought by a circular economy, and outline their visions for a future in which repair and reuse is normalised and celebrated. We learn about The Renew Hub, the incredible lar...

In this episode of Do Something Bigger from the Carbon Copy Podcast, we’re exploring how farming and food production, done in the right way, can bring huge benefits for nature and climate. Join host Isabelle Sparrow and special guest co-host Kathryn Machin, Head of Community Engagement Campaigns at WWF UK to explore why involving farmers and food producers in conversations about nature and climate...