Shaping our future: third sector action on climate change, the environment and sustainable development
The launch of Shaping our future, a new report on the joint ministerial and third sector task force on climate change, the environment and sustainable development, has been announced and reported on Defra’s Third Sector blog.
The report, available to download from Defra’s Third Sector Strategy page, sets out a vision of how the Government and third sector organisations will work together over the next five years to tackle key environmental issues such as climate change.
About the task force
The taskforce was established in April 2009 and brings together four government departments, the Charity Commission and 16 third sector organisations. Its aims are to:
- Develop a vision for third sector action on climate change, the environment and sustainable development
- Identify the specific roles of government and third sector organisations in achieving this vision
- Develop a partnership action plan with proposals to make this vision a reality by mainstreaming climate change, environmental sustainability and sustainable development in the sector, and in the third sector programmes of relevant government departments
Shaping our future
The report’s foreword sets the context:
The future is not something that simply happens to us – we shape it. And it is the responsibility of this generation to shape a future that is sustainable, that respects and enhances the environment and puts us firmly on the road towards a low carbon Britain. It is a road well worth travelling. A low carbon future holds out the promise of new economic opportunities, sustainable jobs in cleaner industries and greater energy security..
The foreword goes on to explain the role of the third sector:
it is through communities and local supportive networks that real change is achieved. People are our greatest resource and it is our task to galvanise and mobilise collective action, which carries everyone along and recognises the positive contributions that everyone can make. Here lies one of the great strengths of the third sector; their local reach, their inclusiveness and the enthusiasm and energy which they can cultivate to innovatively tackle the challenges we all face.
You may also be interested in...
- Public sector responses to climate change
- Sustainable Development 2012: Communities for a low carbon future
- Education for sustainable development: changing behaviours and inspiring positive action
We haven't yet received any comments on this page.
Do you have a comment on this page?
All comments are moderated: we will not publish irrelevant or inappropriate comments. Please note that we require your email to validate your message and will not publish it or use it for any other purpose.
-
News and independent comment on sustainable development
Sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter 
Latest news and features- Environmental Indicators Framework for Scotland 16 May, 2012
- Resources round-up: climate factsheets, green procurement, policy database, wellbeing evidence, standards 15 May, 2012
- News round-up: Natural Capital Committee, NEA’s international impact, investment in green infrastructure… 8 May, 2012
- New calendar and archive of events and publications 8 May, 2012
- Habitats and Wild Birds Directives review findings 8 May, 2012