#ACEVOClimate: July 2021 update

In this blog, ACEVO’s policy officer Maisie Hulbert gathers recent tools, resources and initiatives to support civil society leaders take an ambitious role in tackling climate breakdown.

I have been trying to get out and enjoy the amazing sunshine we have been having, and been enjoying how green everything looks with the heavy rain in between. But it is worrying – our weather is clearly getting more extreme, and scientists have warned that the UK simply isn’t ready for this kind of weather to become normal. After years of extreme weather incidents affecting other countries, particularly those in the global south, and a lack of coordinated political action to halt this it’s made me reflect on just how important this year is to ask for transformational solutions. As these climate scientists say in response to the question: “How many years until we must act on the climate?”, the answer is – now.

Highlighting the impacts on people and communities of changes in weather patterns, this fantastic report from British Red Cross was released this week: Feeling the heat – A British Red Cross briefing on heatwaves in the UK. Take a look and consider whether the communities you work with might need any extra support or services.

I am always keen to hear from you with any suggested items for this newsletter, thank you to the members who have sent me resources – please always feel free to email me on Maisie.hulbert@acevo.org.uk.

Acting on the climate crisis

The Environmental Funders Network have released this brilliant pack called Acting on the climate crisis: why, how and the role of philanthropy. It includes a wealth of information which will be useful for all kinds of organisations, including how to introduce your organisation to climate change and collected reports about the links between climate breakdown and other social issues. I would really recommend that you take a look at this pack whether you are a funder or not; thanks to everyone at the network for all their work on it.

Yesterday, 29 July, was Earth Overshoot Day, the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. The campaign 100 Days of Possibility, from Earth Overshoot Day 2021 to COP26, highlights ways for each country, city or business can use technology to displace ‘business as usual’ practices we can no longer afford.

Policy and communications

This is a really interesting resource from Climate Outreach and CAST, the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations, who are working on an interactive portal through which you can explore key public opinion variables about climate change. This could include public concerns and perceptions; willingness to change lifestyles; and policy support. You can register your interest to review the CAST data portal prior to its launch at COP26; I think it will be a really useful way to explore the potential responses and concerns of communities charities work with, and whether climate and their priorities overlap.

Also from CAST and Cardiff University is this report about the importance of citizen engagement with climate policy in order to drive change quickly enough. The report explores how citizens’ climate assemblies can work well; which factors have significant consequences in terms of outputs and recommendations; and key findings about public anxiety and trust in government to tackle the problem. Overall, the report finds that local authorities benefit from these exercises and they provide great political legitimacy. If you are considering engagement exercises with the people you work with around climate issues, this is a great read – civil society organisations have a powerful convening role to play in taking the voices of the people we work with to policymakers, and providing evidence from discussions to inform new approaches.

Events

I will probably highlight this next month too, but 18-26 September is Great Big Green Week. This nationwide celebration of climate action is a perfect opportunity for charities to identify events in their area; promote them to their supporters, and engage beneficiaries in local issues and impacts of climate change. It’s a great opportunity to run your own event, share your space for another organisation to do so, and engage creatively with climate issues. This coordinated campaign of events, led by community and civil society organisations, will call on politicians to be more ambitious, and champion immediate action on climate breakdown from government ahead of COP26. You could:

• Run an event or add an event you have already planned
• Search for local events and then promote them via your newsletters and social media
• Invite your MP to events

Resources

Here are some additional resources which I hope are interesting and helpful:

• GiveOut have opened a world-first Climate Fund to support LGBTQIA+ activists working around the world to tackle the climate crisis. This article explains some of the ways this fund will help LGBTQIA+ groups who will be disproportionately affected by climate breakdown. Please share the information about the programme and apply for funds for individuals and business to conduct work at the intersection of LGBTQIA+ rights and climate change.
• The Public Interest Research Centre have launched a very useful guide on communicating and framing climate justice messaging; download the resources and explore how to make your language as impactful as possible.
• Finally, a great new initiative from the Young Trustees Movement: a new group for young trustees focusing on issues of sustainability. Please share with your networks as a fantastic opportunity for young trustees to engage with an issue that will affect future generations for years; and take a look at this thread introducing the new group members.

Have a lovely summer break. We are looking forward to the next few months as we prepare for COP26.