My CIPP
The CIPP’s climate action plan
The CIPP’s business support coordinator, Amir Aziz ACIPP , talks about the Institute’s commitment to becoming net zero by 2035
A ll across the world, people are beginning to realise the impact climate change is having on the environment we live in. Research suggests that if no action is taken now, by the year 2050 the world as we know it will change forever as we would have caused irreversible damage from which we cannot return. Such changes include: ● increased drought and wildfires ● increased flooding and extreme weather ● icecap melting and rising sea levels ● collapsing agriculture and fisheries ● increased spread of disease ● ecosystem disruption and species extinction. Alarming to say the least, but what are we doing about it? If the latest United Nations (UN) Nationally Determined Contributions Synthesis Report is anything to go by, then no country is on track to meet the targets set out by the 2015 Paris Agreement. Therefore, with the annual climate change conference (COP26) currently taking place in Glasgow, the focus on business and industries reducing carbon emissions is more prominent than ever. So, what is the CIPP doing about it? Well, in 2021, we decided to take a stance. To bring companies together to tackle the global climate change emergency, we partnered with Climate Action for Associations (CAFA), to kick off our journey. With their support, and working in line with government-set targets, we were able to make a commitment pledge of being net zero by 2035. With this newfound enthusiasm for change behind us and a wealth of knowledge to go off, the CIPP has also committed to a climate action plan with the aim of accelerating the transition to being net zero by 2035. Encompassing company values, the action plan, created by the business support team, aims to provide guidance on actions
we hope to complete to achieve long term success. From simple actions such as moving to recyclable toilet paper, to the more complex tasks of reviewing all used suppliers, the journey is long but something the CIPP is proud to be a part of. Long gone are the days of negatively impacting our environment. Sustainable practices will be introduced, including the use of renewable energy, recycling bins and light emitting diode (LED) lighting, to name just a few. We all know the adage, ‘actions speak louder than words’ – well, we have this covered. Backed by a company-funded pledge of £500 and a heap of enthusiastic volunteers, we recently made our way to Solihull College with the goal of making a change. With the support of local sustainability officer, Maddie Booth, we were able to source a local project which involved various tasks aimed at making a change. This is what we got up to on the day: ● using repurposed tree bark, we created a pathway for safer wheelchair access to a picnic area and pond, allowing those with disabilities to access more of the campus with ease ● painting newly sourced picnic benches to create a seating area for both students and the local community
● weeding pathways for vegetable patches, so that students can plant and grow locally sourced produce and distribute to the college and local community. Having seen first-hand the impact our time and effort had on campus, our volunteers began to feel a profound sense of satisfaction towards the work that had been completed and the long-term impact it was likely to have on the local community and environment. Stacey Graham, business support manager, said: “Spending the day improving the conservation area at Solihull College was an enjoyable and worthwhile experience. To contribute to sustaining the environment in the local community and creating a safe outdoor space for students felt empowering and meaningful. I would recommend getting involved in local environmental projects as it also boosts wellbeing.”
Additionally, business support administrator, Shameelah Islam,
commented: “Considering that I haven’t been here for long, the fact that I was able to participate in giving back to the community was really rewarding. I enjoyed myself and got to spend time with some of my colleagues I had not met before as they were working remotely.” You may ask what is next... Well, here at the CIPP, we see this as just the beginning. There’s plenty more to be done to reach the goal of being net zero by 2035 and we have a long way to go. We would also like you to get involved. Why not contact us to let us know what you and your company are doing at admin@cipp.org.uk , and be in with the chance of being featured in our next climate change article update? n
2 0
Volunteers: Amir Aziz, Angela Adams, Megan Dudley and Shameelah Islam
3 5
CIPP COMMITMENT TO CLIMATE CHANGE
9
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 75 | November 2021
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker