Climate Action Groups bring 6 or so interested friends or colleagues together to learn more about climate change and what we can each personally do. Each group will pick a topic, supported by great learning materials, and together form a small project – either collectively in the workplace or for each member to act on at home. Each project will last around 6 months, with the group meeting ideally around 6 times over that period.
One group has already started, but you can register your interest to join the next group with the following form.
Background
The idea and resources behind Climate Action Groups come from the Climate Outreach and Information Network in conjunction with UK trade unions, a partnership called ‘Climate Solidarity’. Though the programme uses unions to spread the word amongst its members, you don’t need to be a union member to get involved in a group.
Climate change is becoming a major issue in the workplace. Many employers already have internal policies and targets for cutting emissions, and government will also be introducing mandatory targets known as the Carbon Reduction Commitment. These changes will have implications for working practices, including home working, travel, workplace environments, waste handling, catering and so on. Climate Solidarity is a means of understanding and becoming skilled in an issue that is increasingly important in the workplace and at home. It compliments other initiatives such as the TUC’s Greening the Workplace.
National Climate Solidarity website
Climate Outreach and Information Network
It’s simple: people getting together in small Action Groups to make practical changes in their own lives and communities.
The process begins with a half-day training workshop led by Climate Solidarity. This training is designed for those wanting to start an Action Group in their workplace and focuses on communication and facilitation skills to engage colleagues. You are supported by us here at TEU in setting up your Action Group. Action Groups meet for around 6 short sessions with group members generally taking it in turns to lead each session. This creates a flexible and empowering learning atmosphere.
Each group can decide which of seven Action Areas is most relevant to them:
Working through a set of informative worksheets, Action Groups will feel more clued-up and ready to make small changes in both their personal working lives – changes which will help secure the future of their professions and livelihoods.
As a staff member, Climate Solidarity training and Action Groups offer the opportunity to develop numerous transferable skills. These include: facilitation skills to lead group sessions; communication skills in engaging colleagues; awareness of environmental issues, legislation and how it might impact your workplace.
As an employer, you will benefit from having staff who are more aware of climate change, energy efficiency and who are more likely to support workplace change to cut energy use, waste and carbon emissions.
Action Group activities will normally be undertaken within existing arrangements for personal learning or trade union facility time, but may occasionally be additional.
