Environment and conservation

BTCV

Awards

Taking local action on a global problem

BTCV’s Carbon Army is a campaign aimed at demystifying climate change and has mobilised hundreds of thousands of people to fight it at a local level. BTCV recognised that climate change can be baffling and the rhetoric leaves many unsure about how they can make a difference.

Tapping into a great public desire to get involved, BTCV wanted to enable people to turn their eco-pledges into action and take positive practical steps beyond changing light bulbs and using 'bags for life'.

Launched during BTCV’s 50th anniversary year to tie in with the Copenhagen summit in December 2009, it aimed to complete 3,000 days of action - one for every delegate at Copenhagen - during its first three weeks. In that time the Carbon Army planted 85km of trees, turned the equivalent of 34 Wembley pitches into green space and saved over three million food miles by planting fruit and vegetables.

More recently it has produced a Grow Your Own Food booklet and volunteers planted over 650,000 trees and hedges in just eight weeks last winter, the equivalent of 160 miles of trees or the distance from London to Hull.

Chief executive Tom Flood says BTCV has discovered that its work has countless knock-on effects. “It improves health, both mental and physical. It builds confidence and teaches skills so unemployed people can get back into work. It contributes in the battle against climate change and it empowers communities to come together. In short, it helps people to help themselves.”

Jane Whitham
Media and communications manager
BTCV
Sedum House
Mallard Way
Doncaster DN4 8DB
Tel: 01302 388 824
j.whitham@btcv.org.uk
Reg. charity no: 261009
OSCR reg no: SC039302
Horse Rangers Association
Making horse-riding accessible

Tweet

Directory: BTCV