Deliberation groups have taken place across the UK with young people, Disabled people, older people and people from ethnic minority communities on how people from these groups want charities and policy makers to be responding to the climate and nature crises as part of the Everyone’s Environment coalition.
The Everyone’s Environment programme is a collaboration of over 50 social and environmental charities working to ensure the needs of different social groups are better represented in environmental action and policies.
On Monday 25th September, the coalition launched the group findings. To inform the research, the coalition collaborated to speak with almost 300 people (and surveyed more than 400
more) from the social groups that will be worst affected by the climate and nature crises.
Youth organisation Woodcraft Folk, were one of three partners to lead on the deliberation group activities with young people as part of the Everyone’s Environment coalition.
The findings from these deliberations include clear call to actions. Young people called on the government to prioritize policies on transport, renewable energy and green jobs and skills. They also pleaded with charities to support them to advocate and campaign for environmental policy change, support them to access green jobs and training and provide services that can help with wellbeing and mental health.
The launch of the group findings coincided with Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak rolling out delays to net zero policies. In response to this and taking into account the feedback gathered and concerns highlighted in their research groups, the Everyone’s Environment coalition sent a joint letter to the Prime Minister on the evening of Sunday 24th September asking him to reconsider and take more action on net-zero, not less.
Woodcraft Folk have signed the letter as part of the coalition who together, are asking Rishi Sunak to meet with the Everyone’s Environment group to discuss the research findings further. You can find a copy of the letter sent here.
Woodcraft Folk, Communication’s Manager Lauren Penny says:
“Woodcraft Folk are proud to be part of the Everyone’s Environment programme, made up of a collaboration of over 50 social and environmental charities. Together, we are working to ensure the needs of different social groups are better represented in environmental action and policies. We are acting as a voice for those who struggle to get their views heard.”
“Through our research sessions we found that young people see better nature and climate as central to the life they want to live. Many young people told us that access to green and blue (rivers, lakes and the sea) spaces, employment that benefits the environment, and housing with eco-adaptations were at the heart of their aspirations. Young people want charities such as Woodcraft Folk to help them to
access green jobs, support them with their mental health, and provide opportunities for time
outside. As well as support them in getting their voices heard.”
“We hope the Prime Minister responds to our letter and request to meet with the Everyone’s Environment coalition and that the results of our group research are taken seriously – the climate crisis is now impacting us daily and we need to act before it is too late. Not committing to net-zero spells disaster for the future of our younger generation and everyone else who calls this planet home.”
You can find the key findings from the discussion groups here > https://www.thinknpc.org/…/everyones…/our-publications/
