Trustees still nervous about green projects

Governance | Ian Allsop | 3 Dec 2008

Although charities are stepping up their efforts to embrace green issues, some trustees are concerned that engaging with environmental issues may not be a legitimate use of charity resources, according to new research by the Charity Commission.

And some charities, which were developing environmental themes as part of their work, reported difficulty in getting grant funding for environmental activities.

Going Green: charities and environmental responsibility profiles how 21 charities interested in environmental sustainability are tackling the challenge, from basic steps to fundamental changes in the way they deliver their services. The report is published as the Commission encourages charities to consider the need to develop environmentally sustainable ways of working to help them maximise their effectiveness.

The report recommends that although, environmental responsibility is an issue that charities are taking seriously, more could be done to monitor the impact of their efforts, for instance through the use of regular environmental audits and implementing an environment management system if feasible.

It called on funders to see environmental initiatives as a legitimate cost to support charities in making progress in this area.

It also concluded that although environmental measures involving costly changes are not usually an option for charities, there is much that can be done which either costs very little or nothing at all, or even results in savings.

The Commission advises that in deciding whether or not to undertake any environmental work or activity, trustees should apply the same principles that they would apply when considering any other activity. "The key question is ‘Will this activity help to advance our charity's purposes?' The Commission can provide advice and guidance to charities if their trustees are unsure about whether specific activities fit within their objects."

The report is available from the Publications section of the Charity Commission's website.

Directory: Charity Commission
Who's Who: Ian Allsop

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