By Gazelle Buchholtz, Climate Change Coordinator at GCVS
From a coffee cup to the electricity used to power a laptop, all resources are provided by the planet. By keeping valuable resources in a circulation instead of wasting them, we save resources and, by extension, we help save the planet. Would you like to know more about the circular economy and the actions you can take? There is support, networking and even a new tool launching to help you get in on the action.
In the climate emergency we need to find ways to reduce pollution, consumption and energy use but how do we as organisations act in the midst of ambitious and technical agendas like reaching net zero in Glasgow by 2030, the Glasgow Climate Adaptation Plan 2022-2030, and the Scottish goal to reach net zero in 2045?
Reconsidering habits
Think about words like reuse, repair and repurpose. Actions starting with ‘re’ increase the lifespan of items and reduce the demand for more therefore lowering consumption. These words are all central to the circular economy which provides a lot of opportunities for organisations to contribute to climate action. Recycling is also a key pillar when all else fails. It does require energy, water and some additional materials to remake items, but it prevents the things we already have from going to landfill and reduces the need for the extraction of new resources from the planet.
Sticking with theme, let’s think about words like reconsider, reassess, reevaluate or reexamine. More ‘re’ words that can have a positive impact on climate action. Those words encourage us to look at our actions and our past behaviours, and to consider what we might do differently in the future, something that we all need to do as individuals and organisations if we have a hope of achieving our goals. The Hub's Climate Team (based in GCVS who are partners in the Glasgow Climate Action Hub) encourage all organisations to consider an environmental policy and plan. There are many ways to integrate circular behaviours into your work and it’s important to recognise that no organisation can do everything but each of us should be able to identify some actions that we can take. Developing a plan will help you break down your processes and identify realistic opportunities that work within the capacity – and confidence – of your trustees, volunteers and staff.
The Hub's Climate Team can support groups who would like to develop an environmental policy and plan or improve their existing work. The support is free, and you can reach us at info@gcah.scot.
We're in this together
Developing a new plan, keeping momentum and balancing it with your other priorities can be challenging. The sector is under more pressure than it even has been in the past. It can be especially daunting if you are alone on the journey. There are networks and partnerships across the city that can support you in your move towards more sustainable practices and we encourage everyone with an interest in climate action to sign up for free membership to the Glasgow Climate Action Network. By learning from other organisations, you’ll see examples of what good practice looks like, you’ll have access to support and – maybe most important – you’ll see that none of us are perfect and we’re all doing the best we can for the planet in challenging circumstances. But by working together, we can do better.
We are also pleased to share the launch of a new tool that will also help organisations across Glasgow on their sustainability journey. Circular Glasgow, supported by Scottish Enterprise have created a new Sustainable Resource Centre. The online library provides tailored, sector specific support to organisations who are interested in starting or improving their net zero journey. You are all welcome to attend the launch. GCVS have been thrilled to have participated in the development of the tool that recognises the challenges third sector organisation face when making green choices. Read more and sign up at the Resources Launch Event - Community Outreach & Charity sector.
Reach out to us
Circular behaviours are some of the most impactful when it comes to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices but there are so many more opportunities to contribute to climate action and the actions you chose will depend on your individual circumstances. The Hub's Climate Team are on hand to provide advice and guidance no matter what stage you’re at in your journey. You can reach out to us at info@gcah.scot.
We hope the range of support and resources can encourage you to take those first steps if you haven’t already while reminding you that you aren’t alone in this. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about getting on the path. As the following quote illustrates:
"We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly.
We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”
- ANNE MARIE BONNEAU
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