A SERIES of Climathon events are set to take place in the Forest of Dean, aimed at reducing food waste and promoting circularity within the local food system.

The events, organised in collaboration with Forest of Dean District Council and the Forest of Dean Climate Action Partnership, will bring together experts, farmers, food producers, and members of the community to discuss practical solutions for building a more sustainable and interconnected food network.

The first event will be a webinar on Tuesday, February 18 in which participants will hear from local experts about the current food and farming landscape in the region.

Following the webinar, an in-person workshop will take place on Thursday, February 20, at Hartpury University and College.

The workshop will focus on developing practical solutions to reduce food waste and foster greater collaboration between food producers and consumers.

The day will include a farm walk, providing participants with the chance to see sustainable practices in action.

The events form part of a global Climathon movement aimed at raising awareness and inspiring local climate action.

Previous Climathons in the region have successfully influenced council strategy and led to funding applications for local projects.

This year’s discussions will focus on how circular food systems can help mitigate climate change, reduce waste, and create opportunities for sustainable local markets.

The events are part of a research project funded by the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise, with support from the Countryside and Community Research Institute at the University of Gloucestershire.

The organisers also recommend car sharing to the venue due to limited public transport options.

Participants are encouraged to attend both the webinar and the workshop to ensure their input shapes future actions in the Forest of Dean’s food system.