The countdown is on to EXPEDITION TWO in Liverpool

1 year ago, Liverpool became the United Nations' 1st Accelerator City for Climate Action, pioneering experiments to decarbonise the live music, film and TV sectors through a City wide lens.

The groundbreaking programme, supported by headline partner Ecotricity, was launched with Expedition One, an industry-led event in November 2024 and set a blueprint for cultural industries worldwide.

City representatives have this week provided an update to delegates at the COP30 climate conference in Belem, Brazil about the project. Speaking from the UK via a remote link, they took part in a 90 minute presentation about Accelerator City and the work to co-develop practical solutions for sustainable cultural production.

Now Liverpool is inviting industry leaders, City officials, creative professionals and climate advocates to return for EXPEDITION TWO; and hear the results of 12 months of pilots and experimentation.

The event at ACC Liverpool on:- Friday, 28 November 2025, will also be a chance to celebrate successful prototypes and chart the course for sector-wide transition in Liverpool and beyond.

EXPEDITION 2 will showcase:-

The outcomes of Accelerator Pilots launched at Expedition 1.
The most promising decarbonisation prototypes for scaling across live events and screen production.
A City wide toolkit for unlocking rapid climate action in creative industries.

The day will be attended by Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, as well as Liverpool City Council leader Cllr Liam Robinson. Both will address the meeting, setting out next steps for the City following a year of experimentation.

Attendees will also hear from some of the key industry partners who not only helped shape the pilots at Expedition One but delivered throughout 2025.

There will also be a presentation from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Liverpool's pioneering role and lessons for the next Accelerator City.

Cllr Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said:- "Over the past year, our City has shown the power of collaboration between:- local Government, creative industries, and community groups to drive real progress towards net zero. Sharing these pilot results and blueprints will not only help Liverpool cut emissions from live events and screen production but will also inspire other cities to follow our lead. This summit marks a pivotal moment in our journey; proving that when we come together, a sustainable, decarbonised future for Liverpool is within reach."

Finalists revealed in the Liverpool City Region Photo Awards 2025

AN independent judging panel cropped more than 2,000 photographs to create a shortlist of just 18 photographers capturing images of:- celebration, connection, futures, shared spaces, movement, and care.

Delivered by Open Eye Gallery with the support of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the competition is in its second year and has attracted some of the Region's best amateur and professional talent.

The list includes an amateur photographer who took part in this year's:- 'Photo Here' residencies, a City Region wide project that brought together 6 diverse community groups; including:- refugees and asylum seekers, LGBTQI+ members, and D/deaf and BSL users; to share their stories through socially engaged photography.

Councillor Mike Wharton, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Business, Investment and Trade said:- "These awards are more than a celebration of photography; they're a celebration of the people and places that make our Region unique. Every image tells a story of connection and creativity, and that's what makes this competition so special. It's not just about technical skill; it's about capturing the spirit of our communities and the shared experiences that bind us together. Through initiatives like this, we're showcasing the incredible talent that exists in every corner of the Liverpool City Region and reinforcing the role of culture in bringing people closer."

Winners will be announced on:- 27 November 2025, at the launch of the photographic exhibition of their work at:- Open Eye Gallery. The exhibition is open to the public from:- 28 November to 11 January 2025.

Category winners will receive �500, while commended photographers will be awarded �100.

Declan Connolly, Liverpool City Region Photo Awards Lead at Open Eye Gallery, said:- "Photography has the power to stop us in our tracks and make us see the world differently. The finalists this year show just how vibrant and diverse our local talent is; their work reflects the heart of our communities and the possibilities of our shared future. These images are not only visually striking; they carry meaning, emotion, and a sense of place. That's what makes the Liverpool City Region Photo Awards so exciting; they give photographers a platform to share stories that matter and invite all of us to look again at the world around us."

The Liverpool City Region Photo Awards are part of the Combined Authority's 2025 Cultural Events Programme where 6 diverse groups from across the Liverpool City Region told their stories, and the stories of the areas they live in, with the help of professional socially engaged photographers in residence.:- �Photo Here' created a unique snapshot of their lives and communities including:- those of refugees and asylum seekers, members of the LGBTQI+ community, D/deaf and BSL users.

Winners and commended submissions will make up a physical exhibition at the gallery, but an image from every entry will also be featured in the Digital Window Gallery exhibition.

In addition, the outside walls of the gallery will also see a selection of photography from the:- 'Photo Here' residencies.

For more information go to:- OpenEye.Org.UK.

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The countdown is on to EXPEDITION TWO in Liverpool

Finalists revealed in the Liverpool City Region Photo Awards 2025