Delivering a Behaviour-Change
Campaign on Climate Action

The challenge

Blackburn with Darwen Council has declared a climate emergency and committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. With a robust Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) already in place, the next challenge was clear: to engage and educate residents across the borough on the urgency of climate change—and the role they can play.

We were appointed to develop a public awareness campaign that would spark conversation, build understanding, and most importantly, inspire action—encouraging people to make everyday changes that support a more sustainable future for their community.

The strategy

Following a competitive pitch, Hotfoot was selected to lead the campaign. Our strategy, called the ‘One Degree Challenge’, was designed to educate residents across Blackburn with Darwen on how small, simple actions can make a meaningful difference—both to the planet and their pockets.

The core message was clear and practical: turning down the thermostat by just one degree could save households up to £100 a year on energy bills, while also reducing their carbon footprint.

To keep the tone approachable and relatable, we used light-hearted imagery of local people—adding warmth, personality, and a sense of community to a topic that can often feel overwhelming or fear-driven.

The results

As part of the campaign rollout, we designed and developed a dedicated landing page on the official Blackburn with Darwen website. The page featured information about the ‘One Degree Challenge’, alongside a range of practical, money-saving tips—all unified by the campaign’s bold, accessible visual identity.

The campaign not only helped raise awareness locally—it contributed to national and international recognition. Blackburn with Darwen was awarded an ‘A’ grade for its work on climate change, joining the ranks of global climate leaders such as Paris, Barcelona, and Stockholm.