BTCV's commitment to address climate change

"The scientific evidence is now overwhelming: climate change presents very serious global risks, and it demands an urgent global response". The Stern Review: The Economics of Climate Change, 2007 Download Executive Summary

"In an increasingly interdependent world, our society faces huge challenges; climate change is one of the biggest. BTCV helps people to tackle climate change: “We will help people to conserve carbon sinks such as woodlands and peatlands, manage wetlands and watercourses to mitigate flood risk. By enhancing urban green spaces, we will reduce heat islands and dissipate heavy rainwater run-off."

Investing in Sustainable Futures - BTCV Strategic Plan 2009 - 2013

BTCV recognises that if it is to make a real contribution to securing a more sustainable future it must take action which:

• Reduces the organisation's carbon footprint, by working, travelling and procuring services in a more sustainable way. (Overall BTCV has reduced its Co2 emissions by 16.5% compared to 2006)
• Channels BTCV’s environmental project work to help mitigate the impact of climate change on threatened habitats and landscapes.
• Leads by example and encourages BTCV staff, volunteers and supporters to adopt pro-environmental behaviours in their work, social and home lives.

Follow the links on the right to see how we are starting to turn our commitments into reality.

With your support BTCV can take even more practical action to combat the impacts of climate change. Support BTCV

Download BTCV's Climate Change handout.

Recent research conducted in Wales for BTCV Cymru by the Department of Biological Sciences University of Essex entitled:-

Evaluating the Impact of Environmental Volunteering on Behaviours and Attitudes to the Environment.

Identified that while volunteering with BTCV individuals are more likely to adopt pro-environmental behaviours.

Included amongst a host of interesting findings the study identified that:

• recycling rates of glass, paper and metal by volunteers increased by 26%
• fitting of hippo bags to make toilets water efficient increased by 22%
• volunteers turning off the power to electrical appliances instead of keeping them on stand-by increased by 21%

Download Evaluating the impact of environmental volunteering on behaviours and attitudes to the environment (367Kb pdf), Hine R, Peacock J and Pretty J, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester 2008.