Lorenza Casini represents Carbon Coop and leads the Energy Commons team, where she directs community-led initiatives to foster a just and equitable energy transition. Joining in 2023, Lorenza’s work spans community and social infrastructure, energy and built environment, social and environmental policy, and governance and capacity building. Her practice is grounded in Energy Democracy, Energy Justice, and Energy Commons principles, guided by the permaculture ethics of People Care, Earth Care, and Future Care, alongside Carbon Coop’s seven organisational ends, which prioritise carbon reduction, retrofit, collective action, and environmental justice.
Lorenza’s team focuses on empowering communities to shape their energy futures through participatory research, data analysis, and co-created solutions. A flagship project, Oldham Energy Futures, piloted local energy planning by recruiting community advocates, mapping renewable and efficiency opportunities, and running workshops to co-design decarbonised neighbourhood solutions. This approach builds social capital, strengthens local ownership of energy systems, and fosters long-term, sustainable impact.
Carbon Coop has a long-standing presence in Greater Manchester and is active in European networks such as REScoop, enabling knowledge exchange and advocacy for community energy at both national and international levels. Lorensa and her team are also concerned with broader systemic challenges, including shrinking funding landscapes and the rise of disinformation that undermines climate action and just energy transitions.
Through the Practice-Builders’ Network, Lorenza aims to share nearly 15 years of expertise in community energy and participatory governance while learning from peers about innovative approaches to energy justice, policy advocacy, and collaborative, socially equitable climate solutions. The goal is to strengthen collective capacity to co-create sustainable, low-carbon futures where communities have meaningful control and influence.