Climate Emergency Centres (CECs) works to transform vacant properties into inspirational community hubs that bring together diverse local groups and individuals to build solutions, relationships and resilience in the face of the climate emergency and related social crises. The project self-funds through a 'meanwhile leasing' business model, allowing owners of vacant business premises to reduce Business Rates by up to 100% by leasing the property to a not-for-profit/charitable CEC, generating community benefit while improving relations with local councils and communities. Growing out of 30 years of grassroots environmental community centre projects since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the project has produced a handbook, 'How to set up a Climate Emergency Centre in 10 steps,' and supports local communities in identifying vacant Council or privately owned buildings to establish new Centres, connecting them to a wider UK network for mutual aid, shared knowledge and cooperation. It is run under Space Generators, a UK registered charity.
