I?m really proud that Nottingham City Council has become the first local authority in the county to be accredited as a Carbon Literate Organisation. This internationally recognised scheme shows that we?re prioritising our commitment to climate change action and our ambition to be a carbon neutral city by 2028.

Along with my fellow councillors Zafran Khan and Rosemary Healy, and Director of Carbon Reduction, Energy and Sustainability Wayne Bexton, I successfully completed the Carbon Literacy training, becoming among the first people to do so at the council. Having Carbon Literate leadership is vital for Nottingham, as it provides opportunities to influence the decisions needed to transition to a more sustainable city.

We are already making good progress towards our ambitious goals laid out in our Carbon Neutral Action Plan, and becoming a Bronze Level Carbon Literate Organisation is another step on our journey.

I would like to encourage everyone in Nottingham to help us achieve our target. The Notts Green Rewards app has lots of suggestions of easy changes you can make to live more sustainably, and you can even win prizes for logging your actions. More information here

Nottingham is committed to tackling climate change at a local level, and we want to know your thoughts on the city?s ambition to be carbon neutral.

Throughout May, we?re running focus groups with Nottingham Trent University to find out what residents think about the city?s plans to be carbon neutral by 2028. The team are keen to hear from people from all different backgrounds, especially those who have no prior experience in climate change action.? These online events will run for around 1.5 hours and will be an opportunity to share your views on Nottingham and the environment. Book your slot now

You can also let the team know your ideas for changes you?d like to see in the community to tackle climate change using our new Commonplace site. Leaving a suggestion is simple ? it takes just a few minutes, and the team will use the feedback to improve the Carbon Neutral Action Plan. Suggest an idea

Living with Covid-19 safely means you can still choose to wear a face covering when you are inside busy public spaces or coming into contact with people you do not normally meet. It is no longer mandatory, but the wearing of face coverings plays an important part in reducing the spread of the virus. Face coverings are still being worn in health and social care settings. Please continue to wear one in other places if you feel comfortable doing so ? and if it helps to make another person feel more comfortable, especially if they are more vulnerable to catching the virus. People who remain vulnerable may well be anxious about the return to everyday life. Please be respectful of those who might need to go a little more slowly.

Nottingham Libraries are celebrating World Book Day?s 25th anniversary tomorrow Thursday 3 March. It?s a day to celebrate the magic and importance of books ? something close to my heart. Did you know that reading for just ten minutes a day will improve your child?s education and future life chances?

There are various ways you can get involved in Nottingham ? our libraries colleagues have pulled together a page with all the details, plus inspiration and links to book-themed crafts. https://www.nottinghamcitylibraries.co.uk/world-book-day-2022/

International Women?s Day is a day to celebrate the achievements of women, raise awareness of bias and sexism, and take action for equality. I?m proud that Nottingham City Council has so many women councillors doing brilliant things here in the city ? our ?cabinet? of senior councillors has more women than men, and half of our overall councillors are women.

Our International Women?s Day banner is now up on the Council House in Old Market Square and there are a number of events happening during March:

• Newstead Abbey is offering a special tour to help you learn about the women of Newstead Abbey New Stead Abbey | What's On
• New Art Exchange is hosting a day of free women-only events to drop into - NAE | Fempowerment
• Nonsuch Studios are celebrating women creators this month - We Are Nonsuch | WhatsOn