Climate change

Related drivers

What are the implications?

Increase in severe weather conditions, changes to ecosystems and natural disasters.
Pressure on health services as a result of climate related illness.
Increased global population movement as large numbers of the world are permanently or temporarily displaced becoming environmental refugees.
Reduction to global economic output and changes to global markets impacting on the performance of the UK economy.
Worldwide challenges to achieve more carbon efficient economies.
Increase in international campaigns and movements around climate change.
Government legislation that imposes regulation on consumer behaviour and the operating context of all sectors or green taxation.
Role for local government to secure support for changes in behaviour and lifestyles, possibly facilitated by the Sustainable Communities Bill.
Changes in procurement practice at both local and central government level as shown by the government’s recent sustainable procurement plan.
Increasing interest in ethical living and consumerism.
Pressure on the VCS to re-examine practices and policies and demonstrate it is behaving in an environmentally responsible way.
Environmental awareness requiring high levels of investment may impact on resources available for core activities.
Risk that the VCS is left behind as it is unable to invest up-front in reducing carbon emissions.
Decreased personal mobility if restrictions on travel are imposed.
Increase in numbers of volunteers who want to work with environmental organisations.

Moving forward

Much emphasis has been put on individual action to improve people's environmental footprint.

How can your organisation capitalise on this enthusiasm to encourage collective action?

Climate change and environmental responsibility concerns organisations of all sectors. Individuals are increasingly aware and critical of organisations that don’t practice what they preach meaning they will be less likely to support your organisation or donate money.

Is your organisation 'walking the talk'?

There is increasing pressure from funders and the public for organisations to be environmentally sustainable and responsible.

Does your organisation understand the impact its services and practices may have on the environment?
Has your organisation got the reporting systems in place to demonstrate and communicate this?

Private sector organisations may have the resources to better invest in ethical and environmental practices.

How can your organisation get ahead of the game? Could you invest in an eco-audit of your services?

The impact of climate change has resulted in a recent series of new government initiatives and legislation to achieve sustainable communities.

The government's Sustainable Action Procurement Plan will impact on public service delivery and on the VCOs that provide public services. Is your organisation amongst them?
The Sustainable Development Bill should provide more power to local communities to influence local strategies on sustainable communities. How will you ensure that you are part of this process?

Want to know more?

Stern Review: The Economics of Climate Change

Published by: HM Treasury – a Government department

Date: 2007

Format: PDF

What is it? An independent economic review of climate change for the Government, assessing the evidence and outlining the impacts.

How useful is this? The first part of the review considers the economic costs of the impacts of climate change, and the costs and benefits of action to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases that cause it. It concludes that the benefits of strong, early action considerably outweigh the costs but also points out that given that climate change is happening, measures to help people adapt to it are essential. The second half considers the policy challenges involved in managing the transition to a low-carbon economy and in ensuring that societies can adapt to the consequences of climate change that can no longer be avoided.

Other comments:

Positive Energy: Harnessing people power to prevent climate change

Published by: IPPR – a left of centre think tank

Date: 2007

Format: PDF Summary Report, full report available to purchase

What is it? A report suggesting policies, techniques and communications approaches for promoting

behaviour change of the public to help mitigate climate change.

How useful is this? This report looks at the role individuals play in mitigating climate change and the importance of influencing behaviour to encourage more energy efficient lifestyles. It considers: what behaviours need to change; what the public are already doing about climate change; what their attitudes are towards it; and the role of communications. It then looks at behaviour change, considering barriers, approaches and influences, before making recommendations.

Other comments:

I will if you will: towards sustainable consumption

Published by: National Consumer Council and the Sustainable Development Commission – an independent Government watchdog??

Date: 2006

Format: PDF

What is it? This report sets out the benefits and possibility of a shift to more sustainable lifestyles, as an essential part of tackling environmental issues, including practical solutions and recommendations for the UK Government.

How useful is this? A detailed report that argues a shift to more sustainable lifestyles is both positive and possible, and that action needs to be taken to create a supportive framework for people to take up more sustainable habits and choices: I will if you will. Chapters 1-3 look at sustainable development and the relevant policies for people, businesses and government respectively. Chapter 4 looks at catalysts for change and makes government recommendations in four areas:homes; food; getting around; and holiday travel. Chapter 5 discusses the importance of showing people they are part of something bigger. Chapter 6 reflects on the issues and discusses the long-term challenges.

Other comments:

Last updated at 15:16 Tue 22/Sep/09.

Recent comments

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Author	Comment
7 months ago Kathryn Third Sector Foresight	The definite impact of climate change on global population movements (see our driver) has been re-emphasised by Lord Stern in a speech last week. To my mind, this raises the impact global population movements will have on your organisation and those you support. If you're not already thinking about its implications and how you could respond, it's probably worth putting some time in it!
3 months ago Kathryn Third Sector Foresight	Threat of climate change highlighted by Director of Oxford University's James Martin 21st Century School At an Intelligence Squared event recently, (which yours truly was prevented from attending by the winter lurgy) one of the key speakers, Director Ian Goldin, stated his belief risks will continue to come from nature... The biggest threat is climate change Find out more about the event 'The World in 2050'.
3 months ago Quentin	I'm new to this forum, so apologies if this is not the right way to raise this - but does anyone know of any research on the carbon footprint of the third sector (eg nationally, regionally, sub-regionally), or the ways in which the sector is reponding to the challenges of climate change. (I have found reports etc on all sorts of initiatives - eg declarations, policy statements, campaigns - but can't find any actual reseach on the sector.)
3 months ago Natalie Third Sector Foresight	Hi Quentin, this is definitely the right way and place to raise this sort of question! Others on the network will probably be able to help more but for now, here are a few pieces of research on the carbon footprint of the sector and how it is responding to climate change: This blog post on the NCVO website has a rough go at estimating the sector's carbon footprint by looking at emissions per employee using research done by Chris Goodall at www.lowcarbonlife.net on carbon emissions for office based companies. You can also read or download this piece of research commissioned by the Charity Commission into the ways in which charities are trying to be more environmentally responsible. Has anyone else come across any other research?
3 months ago Stephanie NCVO Web Team	David Kane, from NCVO research team posted something on the subject on his blog: What's the carbon footprint of the voluntary sector? 19th October 2009 Let's look at this with some quick and easy calculations. I'm not going to claim that this is authoritative robust research, but it might give us an indication of the scale of the sector's contribution to climate change.
2 months ago Mark	The sector needs to think about the skills in has and that it will need in order to ensure that all organisations are able to reduce their impact on the environment as well as take their place in the 'green economy'. Already there are many organisations within the sector who operate in a sustainable way as well as providing a useful service [www.shopatreboot.co.uk][1] is one of my local examples. At the same time many organisations in the sector are doing their bit to be more sustainable by developing recycling policies and encouraging cycle schemes etc. The questions I have include Do we have the skills to ensure that all organisations are able to assess their environmental impact and find ways of reducing it? Do trustees know how to ensure that green issues are included in their strategic thinking? How do we ensure that staff and volunteers have the knowledge to build green issues into projects to ensure a real difference? Along with this we need to think about the skills needed to enable the sector to take its place in the low carbon industries that are being promoted by the government. We need to promote and develop the work of the sector in these areas and look at the specific skills that are needed and ensure that the sector has access to the learning it needs.