Climate change is one of the most significant issues and long-term challenges facing our community. There is a pressing need to respond to climate change and philanthropy can play an active role through investment and partnerships with communities to support an equitable transition to a low carbon future.
We acknowledge that climate change will affect us all however not everyone or every community will be affected equally. Supporting a just, fair and equitable transition will enable all people and communities to benefit from the opportunities presented through transitioning to a low carbon future.
Community Trust South’s initiative to partner with Great South in delivering a Decarbonisation Workshop series is an example of how targeted support can enable communities to take meaningful steps towards reducing their carbon footprint. By focusing on for-purpose (not-for-profit) organisations in Murihiku, this initiative addresses the need for accessible support and the opportunity to learn about how to embark on their own Climate journey.
“It’s about empowering our communities to navigate their own journey with confidence that they are heading in the right direction”, explains Jackie Flutey, Community Trust South Chief Executive.
Paula López from Great South explains that by investing in education and support for local organisations, this partnership is helping to build a foundation for a more sustainable and equitable future for our rohe (region).
The pilot Decarbonisation Workshop series was held over three days in February 2024. The success of the pilot workshop series, leading to a subsequent series, demonstrates both the demand for and the impact of these opportunities in Murihiku. To date 16 participants from 12 organisations have had the opportunity to attend the Decarbonisation Workshop series free of charge, funded by Community Trust South, with organisations only months later well on their way to reducing their emissions and navigating their own low carbon future.
Karyn Owen, workshop attendee reflects on the Decarbonisation Series.
“Prior to the workshop, we didn’t clearly understand how to measure our footprint - and found it easier than we thought. We now have more confidence to communicate the good things we are doing (energy efficiency, minimising travel, use of solar, chemical free cleaning, waste minimisation), and to start to move forward with the opportunity to consider becoming carbon neutral/positive”.
