Powering change through Doughnut Economics and democracy

Why trusting communities is key to climate action and a fairer future for people and planet - Jenni Brooks in our latest episode of The Decarbonisation Dialogue

Doughnut economics, a healthy democracy, and strong community power are at the heart of a fair and sustainable future. That’s the message from Jenni Brooks, guest of episode 25 of The Decarbonisation Dialogue podcast.

Jenni is the lead at Climate Action Leeds, a lottery-funded initiative aiming to create a “zero carbon, nature-friendly, socially just Leeds by the 2030s.” The project connects grassroots groups with city-wide organisations to build a powerful movement for climate action and social change.

A passionate advocate of Doughnut Economics, Jenni has played a key role in establishing the Leeds Doughnut Coalition, working in partnership with the University of Leeds. This approach focuses on ensuring society thrives within planetary boundaries while meeting everyone's basic needs.

Explaining the concept on our latest podcast, Jenni said: “The outer ring is the planetary limits - emissions, oceans, the boundaries of the natural world. The inner ring is the social foundation - rights, education, housing, political voice… Between the two is a safe and thriving space for humanity. But no country is there yet.”

Rooted in justice and community

Jenni’s commitment to justice is shaped by her upbringing. She was raised by an educationalist mother and a father who was a political prisoner in South Africa.

She said: “I had a deep sense of injustice in the world, and the drive to be part of something better. That starts at home, in communities, with people who have lived experience.”

After studying at Glasgow University and working in the First Minister’s policy unit during the early days of Scottish devolution, Jenni saw firsthand how participation and deep democracy empower people. She later moved into community work, including youth work, literacy teaching, policy consultancy and eventually completed a creative writing master’s degree.

The vast majority of people are worried about climate change. They do want to do something. But the overwhelm, confusion and struggle are very real.

Jenni Brooks Climate Action Leeds

From boardrooms to playgrounds

Jenni has used Doughnut Economics in diverse spaces, from corporate boardrooms to local playgrounds, emphasising that change can’t be imposed; it must be built collectively.

Through initiatives like the Leeds Doughnut Coalition and campaigns such as ‘Many Yeses’, communities are exploring varied solutions to climate and social challenges.

She believes most people are concerned about climate. “The vast majority of people are worried about climate change. They do want to do something. But the overwhelm, confusion and struggle are very real.”

Using a river analogy, she described change as a river made up of different tributaries - sometimes fast and turbulent, sometimes slow-moving - all contributing to a growing movement.

Trusting communities to lead

Jenni believes the power to create change lies in communities, but they must be trusted and properly resourced.

She added: “We need to learn to lean into and trust local assets, be it people, buildings, parks, spaces and to trust communities to know what their local aspirations are and to make them happen.

“What tends to happen is that power and money is always centralizing, it moves away from them, and we need to be pushing it back in and trusting people in real ways, like participatory budgeting, devolved decision making, so it’s not just a tokenistic thing.

“Community is where the action happens and where change mobilises.”

She sees Leeds as a city rich with energy and community spirit, capable of leading transformative change.

Looking ahead, Jenni wants to continue championing place-based solutions and strengthening democracy.

“If you have a healthy and functioning democracy and you get that right, then social cohesion, care and trust for ourselves and for each other and for the natural world – that’s how you create that space and the roots for that stuff, so am drawn to getting stuck into democracy.”

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