There is wholesale agreement that humans are having a catastrophic negative impact on the planet. The gov.uk website states that climate change is happening and is due to human activity, this includes global warming and greater risk of flooding, droughts and heat waves.
Alongside this we are facing huge losses in animal and plant species both in the UK and across the globe.
Many national governments have signed up to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions which scientists agree are causing these problems, and many county and parish councils have declared “Climate and Ecological Emergencies”.
Did you know?
More than 1 million species of animals are now at risk of extinction
40% of the world’s plant species are at risk of extinction
We all have a part to play in reducing carbon emissions
As individuals, businesses, organisations and communities there are many ways in which we can take actions in support of these local and national commitments:
- By adopting one of many individual actions from the Toolkit
- By working with others to deliver collective actions from the Toolkit
- By registering on the website to record what actions you are taking, to inform and inspire other local people
- By joining a local network to find out how else you can get involved
- By becoming a Great Collaboration volunteer to help us expand and promote the support we are offering
What’s in the Toolkit?
We’ve created The Great Collaboration Toolkit to help you identify how you can reduce your emissions. We’ve identified over 60 different individual actions you can take and 30 collective actions you can take when working with other people. We have assessed them by their cost and level of carbon reduction. These actions make up the Toolkit, which features options suitable for all individual circumstances. For instance, once you’ve chosen the actions you’d like to take, we’ll help support you with ideas and information that will allow you to successfully reduce your carbon emissions.
How does the Toolkit work?
- Tell us the carbon reducing actions you’ve already taken.
- Tell us which you’ll commit to next.
- And tell us which you won’t do (and why).
We’ll use your anonymous information, along with everyone else’s, to paint a powerful picture of what’s happening locally.
We’ll share that picture with your local council and help them develop a carbon reduction plan based on specific, local needs.
How to get started
Open the Toolkit and browse through the various sections.
INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TO HELP
COLLECTIVE ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TO HELP
When you come across an action you’ve already done, tell us by clicking Already Done.
When you come across an action you can’t do, or don’t want to do, click Not For Now and tell us a little about why.
Try to find half a dozen actions that interest you and click Commit to say you’ll take that action within the next 12 months.
There are lots of actions to choose from. Each one shows the likely cost (FREE, £, ££, £££, ££££) and the potential emissions reduction (CO₂↓, CO₂↓↓, CO₂↓↓↓).
How your actions help
By using the Toolkit to select carbon and emission reduction actions, you’ll be playing a part in reducing the impacts of climate change on us all.
You’ll also be part of creating a local picture of the actions, aspirations and needs of your local community to help your local council formulate policies directly relevant to your area.
The Toolkit:
- Inspires you into action
- Gives relevant information in support of each action
- Show your progress and commitments
- Informs local council decision making
By combining everyone’s information, in an anonymous way, the Toolkit informs local council Carbon Reduction Plans and supports community relevant action.
As use of the Toolkit expands, it will increasingly support the development of policies and actions at county and national levels, too.