Trade associations commit to tackling climate change

The Composting Association has signalled its commitment to helping the environment by signing up to the Trade Association Forum's Declaration on Climate Change.


Jane Gilbert, the association chief executive, said: “As befits an organisation which is already committed to the sustainable management of biodegradable resources, we thought that it was only right that we formally commit ourselves to the goals laid out within the declaration.”

In signing up to the declaration associations acknowledge climate change is happening, the problems it will cause in the coming century and the economic benefits of tackling them.

They also commit to action to cut their impact on the environment and to foster sustainable development in their sectors while also helping government deliver the UK’s climate change programmes.

“As an association, we thought that we should show people that we are also doing everything we can to minimize harm to the environment, to increase understanding of the threat of climate change and to raise awareness of what can be done to tackle it,” said Ms Gilbert.

The declaration, co-signed by Ian Pearson, minister for climate change and the environment, is voluntary and there is no monitoring of the pledges.

TAF says it allows members to state publicly their commitment to action on climate change and that it “will add value for some members and not be appropriate for others”.

It says appropriate actions for signatories include reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to “unavoidable” changes in weather.

But it adds: “Signatories will each be responsible for setting their own actions and targets and will not be answerable to any external standards from TAF or any other body.”

More than 30 associations, federations and council have already signed up, including the British Beer and Pub Association, the National Caravan Council and The Gin and Vodka Association of Great Britain.

David Gibbs

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