Action 21
From Envirowiki
Action 21 is a not-for-profit company based in Warwick District, England. Its activities are overseen by a Management Committee of volunteers and a full time manager. Much of their work is carried out by volunteer theme groups which concentrate on four specific topics. These are Food, Transport, Waste, and Energy.
[edit] 1 History and Overview
Action 21 was established in 1996 and registered in 2001 as a not-for profit company limited by guarantee. As a not for profit company, the organisation is governed by a board of directors who carry out their role unpaid, on a voluntary basis. Funding comes from a range of sources including self-generated income, statutory funds, charitable trusts and membership fees. Surplus funds generated through activities are ploughed back into projects to benefit the environment and local people, instead of being distributed to directors or shareholders.
Action 21 runs practical projects which help people live more sustainably in the areas of food, energy, transport and waste. Action 21 believe that community involvement is essential to achieving meaningful change in the way we relate to the environment. They pride themselves on achieving high levels of involvement from local people and a large number of volunteers help organise and run their projects. Action 21 works in constructive partnership with statutory, private and voluntary organisations and local people.
The concept of Sustainable Development was born at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. At this summit nearly 200 world leaders agreed to act together, at national and local levels, to improve people’s lives and protect our planet, now and for the future.
We live in a society that is consuming resources faster than natural systems can replace them. Sustainable development is about working towards a balanced society where needs are met, within the limits of what the earth can provide. Through sustainable living, people can have a better quality of life by consuming less.
Action 21 enables positive action for a sustainable society by providing information and practical help to local people.
[edit] 2 Values
- We acknowledge that the earth, the ecosystem and the natural forces that sustain it, are our life support system. This understanding forms the basis of all that we do.
- We believe that by living sustainably we can help people to achieve a better quality of life by consuming fewer resources – doing better with less.
- We recognise that in order to establish services and projects which are relevant and useful within our community, it is essential to involve local people in planning and carrying out our activities.
- We will strive to ensure that every member of the community has an equal opportunity to take part in the process of change towards a more sustainable society.
- We recognise that in many cases we can achieve more by working in partnership with other organisations.
- We acknowledge that our volunteers, coming from the community of their own volition, and paid workers are Action 21's most valuable resource, whom we shall work to maintain and fully support.
