Cutting 10% of our emissions in 2010
10:10 is a mass movement that is signing up people and organisations from every corner of British life. From councils and hospitals to faith groups and scout troops, organisations across the country are jumping on board at the start of the journey to a low-carbon society. Becoming a 10:10 organisation means making a commitment to pull out all the stops and try to reduce your carbon footprint by 10% in just one year. For most organisations 10% is ambitious but achievable. It’s the low hanging fruit: eliminating waste, increasing efficiency, that sort of thing.
The campaign recognises that some progressive organisations that have made significant cuts already may find it virtually impossible to achieve a 10% cut in 2010, which is why it will celebrate any cuts of 3% or greater. 3% per annum is the baseline ambition at the level of national government, so anything more than this represents genuine headway. 10:10 is all about giving it everything we’ve got. Until we do that, we won’t really know what’s possible anyway.
What exactly do we have to do?
- Carbon footprints can be measured in different ways, but for 10:10 purposes, there are four key areas:
electricity - On-site fuel use (gas, for most of us)
- Road transport
- Air travel
These are the four areas that you will need to report progress on at the end of your 10:10 year. In addition, joining 10:10 means trying to find ways to reduce your other, harder to measure emissions not covered above, and doing what you can to encourage staff, members and clients etc to get involved.
Why should we sign up?
Most civil society and public sector organisations have an institutionally inscribed responsibility to serve the public interest. Today, it has become painfully clear that this must mean doing everything in your power to address the terrible threat of climate change, in addition to your core activities and the myriad other social benefits your organisations bring to the citizens of the UK. Using less energy will also be good for your budget. You’ll save money now as your bills shrink; you’ll save money in the future when laws force everyone else to catch up with you; and you’ll save money by keeping staff and winning members from rivals who don’t seem to be doing their bit.
Why 10%? Why 2010?
With climate change, everyone talks about long-term targets: Britain is committed to an 80% cut by 2050, and at least 34% by 2020. But scientists say it won’t be possible to meet these targets without the right action now – and that means cuts of around 10% in the very near future.
To sign up click here
To see articles about the 10:10 campaign click here
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