'See what those conversations mean for their own lives and communities': Belfast festival brings global COP31 climate debate closer to home

As COP31 gets underway in Turkey, Belfast’s RE[act] Festival is bringing the global conversation closer to home, inviting people across the city to explore what a more sustainable Belfast could look like.

Running from today (Monday) until November 15, the festival features more than 30 free events designed to spark conversations and inspire action.

Organised by LQ BID and sponsored by SONI – Systems Operator Northern Ireland, the programme brings together businesses, community organisations, creatives and the public through film, storytelling, workshops, experiences and discussions.

While international negotiations focus on the global response to climate change, RE[act] will explore how those ambitions connect with everyday life in Belfast.

The festival provides a platform to celebrate sustainability initiatives already happening across the city and encourage everyone to play a part in shaping its future.

Across five themes – People, Planet, Peace, Partnership and Prosperity – it will explore the connections between environmental action, fair pay, thriving communities and a resilient local economy.

With events catering for different ages, backgrounds and interests, the programme aims to ensure no one is left out of the sustainability conversation, creating opportunities for people to share experiences, ask questions and discover ways to get involved.

Chris McCracken, managing director of LQ BID, said: “Global climate conferences play an important role in setting ambition and bringing countries together, but people also need to see what those conversations mean for their own lives and communities.

“RE[act] gives people a way into that conversation. Someone might come along because they enjoy film, photography or local history, and leave with a new perspective. We’re investing in UN-certified Carbon Literacy training to give people in our community the knowledge and confidence to turn ideas into practical action.

“Our ambition is for the conversations started during the festival to lead to lasting relationships and practical action that help make Belfast a greener, fairer and more welcoming city.”

The programme uses familiar interests and shared experiences to open up wider discussions, with a series of events giving people the opportunity to explore sustainability through practical activities and personal encounters with the city’s places, people and environment.

Alongside creative and interactive events, RE[act] will open up conversations about fair pay, urban biodiversity, community involvement in energy infrastructure and the practical steps organisations can take to support a circular economy.

By bringing different perspectives together, the festival aims to help people move from awareness to involvement, building the skills, connections and confidence needed to contribute to Belfast’s future.

For the full programme and booking information, visit reactfestival.co.uk.