JUST’s Merseyside team (Anna Key, Alex Nurse and Pete North) welcomed visitors to their stall at the University of Liverpool’s annual Sustainability Fair on 26th February 2026.
The Fair brought together around 30 organisations, projects and initiatives spanning low-carbon innovation, digital sustainability, biodiversity, social justice and community partnerships. Exhibitors included: Low Carbon Eco-Innovatory, Low Carbon Architecture, Libraries, Galleries and Museums, The Maker Space, Hedgehog Friendly Campus, Ness Botanical Gardens as well as Living Lab Projects, SOS UK, People & Planet, Greenpeace, Circular Arts Network, Transition Liverpool, Liverpool Food Growers Network, Merseyside Cycling Campaign and Liverpool Friends of the Earth, to name but a few.
Across a very interactive and busy day, the team spoke with numerous attendees not only about the work of the centre but also asking them for their views on what a just transformation should look like. As a result, the day finished with a colourful collage of thoughts and ideas including:
-
Re-framing climate debates to focus on the co-benefits of climate action
-
Introducing legislation and policies of ‘carrot’ rather than ‘stick’
-
Joining up: There are many organisations doing similar things which would be more effective if they got together
-
Normalising people trying to do ‘their bit’: The impact of a hundred people doing 80% each is far greater than that of one person trying to do 100%
-
Educating and engaging with people of all ages.
Alex Nurse, Merseyside place lead, said: “The Sustainability Fair was a great opportunity not only to reach out to students and staff at the University, but also to exchange knowledge and experience with other people and organisations working directly and indirectly towards achieving net zero in Merseyside and beyond.
Attendees were very keen to hear about the work of the JUST Centre and we have made some very interesting connections. It was a busy and exciting day, and we hope to be a part of the Fair again next year.”
