The Fit for the Future Network helps not for profit organisations improve their environmental performance and was set up by the National Trust and Ashden nearly three years ago. The Network is a group of over 80 mainly charity organisations including the Trust, Oxfam and the Crown Estate to the RSPB, who work together to improve their own environmental credentials.

The London meeting, attended by over 150 delegates, offered current and potential members the opportunity to share knowledge and expertise on a wide range of energy related topics following an opening address by Helen Ghosh.

Former Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Sir Ed Davey also used his first speech as the new chairman of the Network to challenge the charitable sector to take green issues more seriously to reap the financial benefit for their core charitable work.

Network & Harvest 2016, Fit for the Future event, The Crystal, London. UK 17th October 2016

Sir Ed said: “I’m thrilled to be chairing this amazing network of charities strongly committed to playing their part to green our society. My job is to convince more in the charity and not-for-profit sector to see the opportunities a green agenda offers – and that’s my challenge to every charity and not-for-profit organisation across the United Kingdom.

“For too many third sector organisations, the environment has slipped off their radar. It’s time to wake up and realise that tackling sustainability challenges almost always makes good business sense.”

Chloe Hampson, Network Manager, said: “Our aim for the day was to inspire knowledge sharing amongst the sector and challenge organisations to take more action on sustainability and energy efficiency given the strong business case.

“The event gave current and future members the opportunity to hear about and learn from each other’s experiences they face in making their organisations, be they big and small, more energy efficient and the financial and carbon-related benefits that can bring.”

Network & Harvest 2016, Fit for the Future event, The Crystal, London. UK 17th October 2016

Since it launched in 2013, collectively the Network has worked with over 1000 environmental practitioners on over 350 energy projects. The CO2 saved by members from generating energy using renewables is the same as 1766 trips around the world in a petrol car.

Robin Clegg