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The past decade has seen a range of national and international treaties on climate change however few have met the challenge in a meaningful way.  Authors of the third sector declaration on climate change, Capacity Global hope this declaration will be different.  Maria Adebowale, Director of Capacity Global penned the declaration on behalf of the government initiative Every Action Counts. She explains that the idea was born from the recognition that community organisations, non governmental organisations, charitable and voluntary organisations are uniquely placed to tackle the negative impacts of climate change. 

Many of the organisations due to sign the declaration are already working alongside or on behalf of the marginalised sections of society who are considered the most vulnerable in the face of climatic hazards.  Many more of Britain’s third sector organisations are initiating climate related projects so working together as a whole is thought to be a way of maximising strength.

A Common Understanding
Maria explains “When I wrote the declaration the responses from the small groups to large non governmental organisations was totally positive.”  This positive response has led to the development of a common sector based understanding of climate change issues that can be defined in two stages.

Firstly the declaration signatories affirm that the negative impacts of climate change are a central challenge for this generation and are inextricable bound to social justice.  Secondly, there is overwhelming evidence that the worst impacts of climate change constitutes one of the greatest social, environmental and economic threats to society.

The signing of the 3rd sector declaration is thought to be a significant step in the move to gain leverage within the sector to minimise the worst impacts of climate change and to develop the way in which climatic hazards are discussed and perceived.  Many of the organisations involved view climate change issues through a social justice prism that illuminates health, housing, transport, waste, food production and equality as key climate considerations. 

“For Capacity Global and many others, the declaration is a public statement by the third sector.  We are saying that tackling climate change is crucial to both social and environmental justice.” The declaration also presents a joint acknowledgment that injustice, poverty, exclusion and disadvantage contribute significantly to the inability of nations, communities, families and individuals to effectively respond to the challenge that is climate change.  With this in mind the third sector hopes to act as a leader in encouraging their members, service users and clients to take the small steps needed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while working on the longer term challenges within the sector and alongside external partners.

Protecting Vulnerable Communities
“The third sector has to play a key role in climate change in order to protect those vulnerable communities set to face worst impacts of climate change.”  With a commitment to work in partnership with others from all of the UK the third sector declaration hopes to develop and support the establishment of progressive national policies that will promote concise action within the third sector and beyond. 

The third sector plan to tackle climate change is due to be released in spring of 2008. The final document is in the process of being completed however the discussions around the declaration suggest that it will include the promotion of national legal targets for green house gas emissions and a green taxes scheme that directs all funds gained to programs deigned to reduce carbon emissions.  The declaration is also likely to support existing policies and initiatives to take the UK to its national target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60% within the next 40 years the target deadline being 2050. 

Acknowledging the wide range of skills, knowledge and expertise needed to make climate related changes to our everyday lives, the work to be done within the sector is set to encourage action within a wider professional movement that can make a real difference on climate change.  With the right support and mobilisation is the third sector set to change climate related behaviour at all levels of British society?  Lets hope so.

Click here to sign up to the Third Sector Declaration.

More Information
For more information on the third sector and climate change targets please see the links below.

http://www.everyactioncounts.org.uk
Helping community groups lead the way to a better future

www.thirdsector.co.uk
Third Sector is the UK’s leading publication for everyone who needs to know what’s going on in the voluntary and not-for-profit sector.

www.defra.gov.uk
UK government information and key strategy outlines for its work on tackling climate change.

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