It’s not too late to get Greener Together

There’s still time for co-operatives to make a New Year’s resolution and do something great in 2010. Joining ‘Greener Together – the co-operative way’ can help co-operative businesses make a significant impact on climate change.

Many organisations have already signed up, including: account3; Ashburton Co-operative Transport; Midcounties Co-operative; Netuxo; Oxford Cycle Workshop Training; Social Enterprise & Co-operative Development Ltd; The Southern Co-operative; and WAVE but there is still room for more!

The Southern Co-operative was one of the first to join Greener Together, and Ted Merdler, Head of Brand Engagement and Communication, said they were thrilled to be part of the project.

“As a local co-operative business, owned by our members, we are delighted to be part of this exciting initiative which will enable us to work directly with people, showing them that everyone can do something, even in a small way, to help combat climate change,” he said.

Co-operatives UK is looking for 50 co-operatives and community owned enterprises across England - a total of 3,600 people – who will be supported to take action to become greener and reduce their carbon footprint.

The core aim of Greener Together is to engage, support and provide the means to make lifestyle changes that reduce members’ and customers’ environmental impact in three key areas: energy, waste and personal transport.

Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: “We are directly supporting people to change their behaviour and reduce their impact on the environment and want to hear from co-operatives big and small – consumer, worker and other – that could work with their members to change their individual habits.”

The project enables member organisations of Co-operatives UK, the Confederation of Co-operative Housing (CCH) and the Plunkett Foundation to work with their members and customers in achieving greener behaviour.

All members of Co-operatives UK, CCH and the Plunkett Foundation will have access to supporting Greener Together information, including promotional materials, a dedicated website and forum, financial support of up to £2,000 per organisation and a dedicated support officer.

Part of the Greener Living Fund, sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the dynamic project aims to help people to live in a more sustainable way, by focusing on the small actions every individual can take in their daily lives and enables member organisations of Co-operatives UK, the Confederation of Co-operative Housing (CCH) and the Plunkett Foundation to work with their members and customers in achieving greener behaviour.