http://www.thenews.coop/news/Worldwide%20Co-operation/1380
Climate change is focus for co-ops
July 21 2008
The
Director General of the International Co-operative Alliance, Iain
Macdonald, has recognised what he called the increasingly vital role of
the UK Movement in a worldwide context.
But, delivering fraternal greetings from the ICA to Congress 2008,
he emphasised that social responsibility and co-operative values and
principles were as important as scale. He cited climate
change as one of the most important issues facing the world and pointed
out that co-operatives are rising to the challenge by promoting
sustainable developments worldwide.Mr Macdonald said:
“Co-operatives are rising to the challenge of climate change at a scale
and pace which shows leadership in a number of countries and sectors
around the world. While some commit to cutting green house gas
emissions, others are striving towards carbon neutrality, and all are
working towards economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Climate change is after all more than simply an environmental concern;
it has an undeniable impact on the economic and social well-being of
peoples around the world.”The theme of this year’s International
Co-operative Day was ‘Confronting Climate Change through Co-operative
Enterprise’, which was reflected Mr Macdonald’s Congress speech. Mr
Macdonald added: “Co-operatives in all sectors are confronting climate
change – for example, agricultural and fishery co-operatives are
looking at energy usage from production to market, they are looking at
their emissions (carbon and nitrogen) seeking to be neutral or indeed
have a positive impact they are embarking on green energy production or
innovative feed to reduce emissions from livestock production. “Consumer
co-operatives are seeking to reduce their carbon footprints both
in-store, but also in terms of their own operations as well as their
suppliers, and, they are active in providing education to members and
consumers. “Housing co-ops are using sustainable construction
materials and designing eco-buildings, while co-operative banks and
credit unions are providing incentives to invest in energy efficient
technology through competitive mortgage, consumer and business loans. “Our
insurance co-operatives are finding innovative ways to keep premiums
down while still being able to cover the changing needs of their
members with regard to the increasing risk due to extreme weather
patterns and natural disasters linked to climate change. Energy
co-operatives are striving to provide clean and sustainable energy
through wind, solar and bio-fuels and many other co-operatives are
working daily to ensure that they are sustainable enterprises both
economically, socially, and environmentally.”
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