Festival brings climate action, art and sustainable fashion to Lincoln

A week of events celebrating climate education, nature and community action will take place in Lincoln this autumn as part of the 2025 Festival for the Future. 

The programme, formerly known as the Climate Action Festival (CAF), will run from November 3 to 9 and is being coordinated by the University of Lincoln in partnership with Lincoln Climate Commission and local organisations.

This year’s themes are Climate Education, Nature Positive, and Culture & Community, with organisers promising a diverse programme of activities designed to inspire practical action and spark conversation around sustainability.

“Last year’s CAF won a Green Gown Award in the Creating Impact category and is now shortlisted for the International Green Gown Awards – a testament to what can be achieved with community collaboration and a modest budget,” said Rebecca Mills from Lincoln Climate Commission and the university.

Highlights of the week include:

• Festival for the Future Exhibition at Project Space in the Peter de Wint Building, showcasing climate-inspired art, photography and sculpture created by students, staff and local residents.
• A Community Clothes Swap at the Lincoln Arts Centre, running all week and encouraging visitors to donate unwanted clothes and pick up pre-loved fashion in return. Organisers say the event aims to challenge fast fashion, which accounts for up to 10% of global carbon emissions each year.
• Hands-on nature projects, including tree planting at Saxilby Nature Project, The Big Brayford Litterpick, willow weaving, and a guided Hartsholme Nature Walk.
• Ask the Farmer Anything sessions on campus with regenerative farmer Hannah Thorogood, discussing food, farming and sustainability.
• A research talk by Ishant Arora on the connection between thunderstorms and asthma, based on his MSc Public Health research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
• A screening of We the Power, a documentary about renewable community energy, followed by a Q&A with Ruby Berridge of North Lincolnshire Community Energy.

The festival aims to engage people of all ages and interests, combining creativity, learning and community action to promote sustainable living.

Full event listings can be found at: https://estates.lincoln.ac.uk/sustainability/projects/caf/