How do we decarbonise and reform public services?

The UK is committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions. This will require significant societal and economic transformation across different sectors.

That includes public services, which we know are responsible for around 8% of the UK’s carbon emissions. At the same time as decarbonising public services, there is a significant need to reform the delivery of our public services, as the Public Services 2030 Network has been exploring throughout 2023.

Join us to discuss the interactions between these two agendas – decarbonisation and public service reform – and explore what challenges and opportunities arise from their interaction.

This event has been co-curated with Policy@Manchester, The University of Manchester’s policy engagement unit.

Speakers:

• Kerry McCarthy MP, Shadow Minister for Climate Change
• Dan Norris, West of England Mayor
• Professor Carly McLachlan, Director of Tyndall Manchester, University of Manchester
• Ben Glover, Head of Social Policy, Demos (chair)

About the Demos Public Services 2030 Network:

Public services are in crisis. Backlogs are everywhere, from NHS waiting lists to undecided asylum applications. Frontline staff, managers and civil servants alike are doing their best to respond, and often performing heroically.

But the fundamentals of the situation are beyond individual heroism, short term fixes or limited cash injections to resolve. The United Kingdom needs a rethink on public services: what do we want, what are we willing to pay for, and who will do the work and how will there be change?

There is no shortage of bold and innovative ideas. From pioneering councils to charities experimenting to new approaches to service design and thinkers across the political spectrum, we have been inspired by the wealth of work happening right across the country.

Now is the time to connect these voices to create a new era of public service reform. The Public Services 2030 Network is a movement of organisations committed to rebuilding and reforming our public services so they are fit for the next decade.

Network founding partners:

• The Centre for Public Impact
• CIPFA
• More Than a Provider
• Policy@Manchester, The University of Manchester
• Reed in Partnership

Network knowledge partners:

• The Institute of Employability Professionals
• The WEA

This event has now passed.