In the first year of the Everyone’s Environment programme, NPC and over 50 partners have increased understanding across the sector of the social impacts of the environmental crises. Along the way, we have also identified some common barriers to action.

Here we share some tips on how to address them: 

  1. A nominated lead can support charities to find the headspace  
    For many charities, finding the headspace to think about the impacts of the environmental crises is a major challenge. That’s why our Everyone’s Environment resources are designed to make it easier for charities and funders to see what the environmental crises means for those you work with and for. Those feeling less able to engage with thinking about the social impacts of the environmental crises include those who struggle to see the links to their cause. For example, some children’s charities are brilliant at protecting children from immediate risk but struggle to create the space to visualise the medium to longer-term risks.  However, a choice between focusing on ‘end of the month’ versus the ‘end of the world’ issues is not inevitable, we can find the win-win solutions for people and the planet.
  2. Collaboration increases impact 
    As more and more charities consider their role in addressing the climate and nature crises, there are initiatives (and even new organisations) popping up all over the place. This is a mixed blessing. Whilst accelerated action is urgent, rapidly increasing uncoordinated action comes with risks. At best we risk stalling action as everyone shuffles to find their space in the charity ecosystem and/or we miss opportunities to increase our impact. And at worst we risk charities duplicating effort or undermining each other in policy advocacy. The solution is increasing collaboration.
  3. More funding is needed 
    Our engagement with people affected demonstrated clearly that people want charities to run programmes that support them to respond to the environmental crises – either by addressing direct environmental impacts or advocating for policy change. To make this happen, charities need funding, especially unrestricted, long-term funding.

Read the full article about funding colloboration by Liz Gadd at NPC.