Lack of funds will hinder green efforts this year

Fundraising | Tania Mason | 4 Mar 2009

Nearly nine out of ten charities say that funding constraints would stop them from ‘greening’ their office practices during this year, according to a survey of 188 organisations.

The research, conducted by Groundwork London on behalf of sector environmental campaign Every Action Counts, looked at whether charities were taking steps to make their office operations less damaging to the environment.

The survey followed an initial survey in 2007, providing the researchers with comparative data.

They found that the number of organisations with an environmental policy had almost doubled, to 52 per cent. More than four in every five charities said they recycled more than they did 18 months earlier, and over half monitored their energy use, compared with just 39 per cent 18 months before.

Some 52 per cent said they tried to use public transport for work trips and 15 per cent even had an office bicycle.

Further progress stifled by funding problems

However, 89 per cent said ‘lack of funds’ would prevent further green measures being taken in 2009. One respondent said: “As we are a charity and have a funding crisis, unfortunately the security of jobs far exceeds the need for environmental considerations..”

But there was a perception too that having ‘green’ credentials was more important to funders than previously – 56 per cent said this was true, compared with 43 per cent in 2007. And there was a rise in the numbers of respondents who said it was important to be seen to be green – 72 per cent as opposed to 56 per cent 18 months ago.

Mark Walton, head of programme at Every Action Counts, said it was clear that most organisations felt they needed more money and assistance to make their practices greener.

“New programmes services and funding streams are urgently needed to help voluntary and community organisations lead the way to a greener future,” he said.

More than 2,250 organisations and individuals have signed up to Every Action Counts.

Who's Who: Mike Walton | Tania Mason

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