How will the Environment Act impact the Third Sector?

On 13th February Fit for the Future Network partnered with IEMA to deliver a webinar on the implications and impacts of the Environment Bill on charities, heritage bodies and other third sector organisations. Chief Policy Advisor for IEMA, Martin Baxter, explained the scope of the Bill, key areas of impact and involvement for third sector bodies, and next steps. The full recording is available here and you can find Martin’s presentation in our Members’ Area.

Here are some of the top takeaways:

How to Develop a Sustainability Strategy Part II

Our initial Sustainability Strategy event in July 2019 covered when and why a strategy might be needed, what to include, and how to put one together. We collated the top tips shared in Part I of this article. At a follow-up event on 22nd January, member practitioners from organisations including Historic Royal Palaces, British Mountaineering Council, Royal Yachting Association & Coventry City Council discussed how we embed a strategy across an organisation and start to deliver on objectives. 

CCC Calls for UK’s ‘Stewards of the Land’ to Drive Emissions Reductions in order to meet Net Zero

A report published today by the Climate Change Committee gives its first ever in-depth advice on the transformative UK agricultural and land use practices required to deliver on the UK Government’s Net Zero 2050 target. The paper outlines how emissions from land-use can be reduced by almost two-thirds, with CCC chairman Lord Deben stating that: “The options we are proposing would see farmers and land managers – the stewards of the land – delivering actions to reduce emissions…major changes are required and action from government is needed quickly.”

National Trust Announces Ambition to be Carbon Net Zero by 2030

National Trust’s Director-General, Hilary McGrady, today announced the organisation’s ambition to be carbon net zero by 2030. During an address this morning, Hilary said:“As Europe’s biggest conservation charity, we have a responsibility to do everything we can to fight climate change, which poses the biggest threat to the places, nature and collections we care for."

The 2020 ‘Super Year for the Environment’- How Fit for the Future will Play its Part

The UN has named 2020 ‘a “super year” for the environment—a make or break year in which key international meetings will set the tone and agenda for environmental action in the decade ahead.’ COP 26 in Glasgow in November will bring the UK into the spotlight, and public awareness is on the rise after a year of record temperatures and protests. A number of our member organisations declared climate emergencies in 2019 and many more set targets for a pathway to net zero. There has never been a more urgent time for action to address the climate and ecological crisis and we are stepping up to the plate to play our part by driving collaboration and practical action across sectors.

The challenge of setting Net Zero targets in the charity sector and beyond

'Net zero' is becoming an increasingly familiar term, with political parties, public bodies and businesses using it to frame their decarbonisation targets. As the climate crisis becomes increasingly urgent and the public look to every sector to understand how they are responding, many UK charities and organisations are announcing net zero goals too. It's a way to demonstrate commitment, and align with the 1.5 degrees pathway laid out by the IPCC. But what needs to be considered when setting a target, and what are the challenges? At our most recent Energy Managers meeting (a special interest group for practitioners working specifically to manage energy within their organisations) participants delved into this topic. We bring you some of the key questions and considerations discussed.

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Welcoming new members- Royal Parks, Break Charity, Canopy Housing & ICON

With collaboration to address climate change and its impacts more important that ever, we are delighted to welcome new organisations from the charity and  heritage sectors that are seeking to become climate-friendly, adaptive and resilient. These diverse organisations bring committed practitioners with unique practical experience to share, and we look forward to helping them achieve their sustainability aims.

Network Harvest 2019- The Day in Pictures

Our 2019 Award Winners