The Institute of Fundraising (IoF) has set out a series of eight commitments to help address the climate emergency.
Its board of trustees approved the actions following consultation with members, including a roundtable discussion last week on fundraising and the environment.
The eight actions were outlined in a letter from Peter Lewis, the IoF’s chief executive, to members.
These commitments come in the wake of mass campaigning from groups such as Extinction Rebellion, which started two weeks of protests yesterday. The group, which wants governments to declare a “climate and ecological emergency”, had more than a hundred protesters arrested yesterday.
The IoF’s commitments include “embedding the climate emergency as a theme in our work, providing more support to our members on stepping away from partnerships if they have environmental concerns, and collaborating with the charity sector for a stronger voice”.
Lewis said “we all have a responsibility to deliver change”, adding: “We have been reducing the environmental impact of the Institute over the last few years. But we need to do more.”
The IoF has committed to:
- Embedding the climate emergency as a continuing priority in its work, including reviewing its own behaviours and practices, led by its internal Green Group.
- Establishing a task-group of environmentally committed and expert members who will consult with members and suppliers and provid guidance on policy change and action.
- Renewing and refreshing its guidance to ensure that it includes the latest and most useful resources to help fundraisers improve their environmental impact.
- Providing more support to members on when they can refuse donations, and step away from partnerships, when they have environmental concerns.
- Engaging with our charity sector partners to ask for a joint approach and consistent messaging across the charity sector.
- Working with the Fundraising Regulator to review any changes needed to the Code of Fundraising Practice on environmental fundraising practices and issues.
- Implementing an updated environmental policy for IoF’s events and conferences.
- Working with Civil Society Media to make the packaging around Fundraising Magazine more environmentally-friendly.
Lewis said: “As fundraisers we have specific opportunities to make essential change. Whether it’s in the choices we make on how we fundraise, the donations we accept or refuse, or through the engagement we have with millions of people who support and donate to charities, we can be part of the change that’s needed. Each of our solutions might be different but one thing is clear: business as usual is not an option.”
Fundraising Magazine will move to biodegradable wrapping from its Febuary 2020 issue, having previously used recyclable plastic. Civil Society Media's other print publications, Charity Finance and Governance & Leadership, will also be making the switch.
Civil Society Media publications are printed on sustainably sourced paper, using alcohol free printing procedures and vegetable-based inks.
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