Environment Secretary Hilary Benn announced the 16 members of the new Third Sector Task Force on climate change, the environment and sustainable development on Tuesday.
The aim for the task force is to develop a vision and action plan for wider third sector involvement in these issues and to identify how Government and the third sector can best work together and contribute their expertise, experience and the ability to reach people.
Hilary Benn said,
“I am confident that the task force will show how we can best work with third sector groups and learn from innovation, knowledge and networking. I am looking forward to seeing the action plan that will help us take the initiative on the environment with communities.”
Nigel Lowthrop said,
"I’m very pleased to be on the panel as there was a lot of competition for places. It’s good news that social enterprise is represented in such an important piece of work. I’m involved at a grass roots level as well as regionally and nationally - representing Hill Holt Wood, Social Enterprise East Midlands and the Social Enterprise Coalition.
“I am very interested in selling the idea of environmental social enterprise, which provides real solutions to some of the issues we face, rather than just influencing policy.
“The passion within the business model drives social enterprise to solutions that are truly innovative and really make a difference rather than just profit. When it comes to the planning of future housing developments, wouldn’t a social enterprise developer work towards truly sustainable development rather a pale shade of green?
“The green economy IS the future and will have huge growth over coming decades. Not only do I want social enterprise to have a slice of this but I believe we can really make a difference.”
David Kelly, Head of Services and Development at Social Enterprise East Midlands said,
“We’re delighted that Nigel has been chosen to represent social enterprise on the Third Sector Task Force. His participation will serve to enhance the important work that we’re doing in the region. Social enterprises play a critical role in the development of a low-carbon economy and are helping to tackle the problems created by climate change both now and in the future.”
The task force is made up of individuals from across the third sector and will have both Ministerial and third sector chairs. Green Alliance and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) are acting as the secretariat. The task force will meet regularly between now and October.
Energy and Climate Change Minister Joan Ruddock said,
“We want to use the power of charities and voluntary groups in the fight against dangerous climate change. The need to act is urgent. I look forward to working with the members of the new task force. Government has set an example to the world with a commitment to reduce emissions by 80 percent by 2050. We are working very hard to secure a global deal in Copenhagen in December.”
Minister for the Third Sector Kevin Brennan said,
"Many charities, voluntary groups, social enterprises and co-operatives are already leading the way in tackling climate change and working in an environmentally sustainable manner.
"I look forward to working with the taskforce to strengthen the Government's work on environmental sustainability. I'm particularly pleased with the diversity of the members; not just coming from environmental backgrounds but a broad coalition of organisations from across the sector."
Communities and Local Government (CLG) Minister Iain Wright said,
“Environmental sustainability needs to be at the heart of everything we do, and by working closely with the third sector we can make a real difference in tackling climate change.
“From making sure our housing developments have access to parks and green spaces, to tackling worklessness by creating training opportunities and jobs in the green sector, the opportunities for a more sustainable future are out there and I look forward to the challenge of embedding the green agenda into all of CLG’s work with the third sector.”
This innovative third sector task force fulfils part of Defra’s commitments in the Third Sector Strategy which was launched in November 2008.
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