Elections 2021

Have a say in your community's future

From floods in Manchester to cyclones in Mozambique, the climate emergency is a global problem. But we believe solutions can be found in our local communities.

This May, a series of elections are taking place across England and Wales.

Key issues that directly impact your everyday life, such as the air quality in your neighbourhood and access to good quality green space nearby, will be determined by how people vote. Yet despite their importance, polls show 70% of the public don't vote on who leads their community.

We're asking Climate Action groups to mobilise their communities, interrogate their electoral candidates and ensure climate action is embedded in the local political agenda for years to come.

If you're not sure which elections are happening near you, visit Democracy Club's online tool and type in your postcode to find out. If you already know, select from the choices below to discover what you can do to help influence your community's future.

Council elections
Concerned about climate breakdown? Here's how to keep climate at the top of the political agenda this election season.
Metro mayoral elections
Read more about metro mayoral elections in 2021.
Senedd election
Find out what you can do to put climate on the agenda of the Senedd elections.

Council elections

Council elections are set to be bigger than ever this May, with the direct election of thousands of local councillors in over 150 local authorities.

It's a great opportunity for voters and local groups to ensure their future local representatives take climate action seriously.

From tackling air pollution, to improving public transport and creating more green space – your councillors have the power to deliver initiatives that will not only help local people, but also play a part in tackling this global crisis.

Get involved

Metro mayor elections

Metro mayors are part of the government's devolution agenda, and play a central role in providing a vision for their region.

Almost 12 million people across eight English regions have a metro mayor, meaning elections this May will directly impact a significant percentage of the population.

We've created tailored Climate Action Plans for each metro mayoral region. Whether you're part of a Climate Action group or an interested constituent, use the plan to lobby candidates on climate in the run up to the elections.

Get your next metro mayor to take climate action

Senedd election

The Senedd (Welsh Parliament) is responsible for the vast majority of policies and legislation relating to climate.

The May 2021 Senedd elections will set the course of climate action in Wales for the next 5 years, with all 60 members up for election. This makes it an important moment for every supporter and activist in Wales.

Find out more

Resources for all elections

Guide to planning your online hustings
If you’re thinking about holding a hustings for an upcoming election, we’ve got you covered. This guide will give you tips on how to organise and structure an online hustings, as well as important guidance on how to remain politically impartial.
Guide to meeting your electoral candidates
We want groups to meet and secure commitments from electoral candidates ahead of the metro mayoral, council and Senedd elections in May. Discover how to lobby your candidates.
Training
Register for an elections-focused webinar this spring, and receive training from campaigners on how to engage your local community and get candidates from across the political spectrum to commit to taking climate action.
Building local alliances
In this guide we'll explain how to find potential allies to work with on your campaigns, and tips and tools for how to go about building those relationships. Our campaigning will be stronger and more impactful the more we collaborate. Big wins come when diverse groups of people come together to build power.
How to get media coverage
Media outlets like local radio stations, television and newspapers can be an incredibly powerful tool to help spread the word about your campaign goals and successes, and even influence electoral candidates and decision makers. Find out how to use the media to promote campaigns around upcoming elections, handle requests from journalists, and become an effective spokesperson.
A beginner's guide to social media
Social media sites like Twitter and Facebook can be a powerful tool for campaigning. Here are some guidelines on using these platforms to help boost your campaigns and grow your follower base.