CSR alliances with local government in a new age of austerity
As the dust settles on the latest round of climate negotiations at COP16 (UN Climate Change Convention, Cancun), and with world expectations for a solution still at an all-time low, it is timely for CSR practitioners”like everyone else”to reflect on how we are all doing ‘our bit’ for the cause. As a prompt, ponder on this quote for one moment:
‘National governments have their national [sustainability] policies, but after all it is local governments who have to implement these policies.’ (UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, 2009)
For many, local councils are pivotal to the delivery of sustainability, as every aspect of their role shapes how people live their lives – from democratic elections to education, and planning and waste collection. Climate adaptation, too, whether it is in relation to building controls (energy efficiency) or flood defences (emergency planning).
This sentiment was recently reinforced by the European Union’s Committee of the Regions, which went as far as to conclude that global efforts to tackle climate change are destined to fail unless local authorities are given a greater role.
So, now ask yourself this question: ‘Am I confident that when my company did stakeholder mapping and issue scoping to craft our climate strategy, we fully recognized the vital role of local government in adaptation?’
If the answer is ‘no’, then you cannot possibly be a CSR leader.
To make matters worse, this is a terrible time for companies to sideline local government in the fight against climate change. In a new age of austerity, national spending cuts mean that investment
in local adaptation efforts is being squeezed at the very same time that public scepticism over the robustness of the science of climate change is on the increase.
Wise CSR leaders may choose to ignore the COP17 jamboree in late 2011 and, instead, take the opportunity to forge new alliances with local councils that are both good for business resilience and the planet.
One example is helping to establish low-carbon trade zones with land-use planners, such as that in Baoding, China, which has assisted about 20,000 local people being employed in solar panel and wind turbine production. Another example is agreeing to contribute toward a carbon compensation levy when constructing new office buildings, such as that in Milton Keynes, UK, whereby instead of investing in carbon-neutral new premises, the developers fund local schemes such as insulation for older homes that are much less energy-efficient.
So, what is holding your business back in this kind of engagement? Your low awareness of local government? Your lack of faith in working with town-hall managers? Or, is it just your shortsighted CSR approach?
To get yourself back on track, why not contact one of the 138 world mayors who signed a climate pact in advance of COP16, to show national leaders how easy it is to do a deal if one really wants to? I am sure your advances would be warmly welcomed.
Sustainability in Austerity has been written to provide local leaders with a lifebelt in these turbulent times. It empowers local authorities to address the challenges they now face – by offering a treasure chest of cost-neutral and powerful ways for leaders in local government to advance sustainability, as nations emerge from the global recession. The book sets out the required rules for leadership and proposes myriad innovative strategies for self-help achieved through habit-forming behaviour change among council members, staff and local communities alike. The book has received praise from respected commentators at the UN, Harvard, WWF, Accenture and ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability. Further details at http:/www.greenleaf-publishing.com/austerity.
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Philip Monaghan is the founder and CEO of Infrangilis, a think-tank focused on resilient and sustainable development, and also an internationally recognised writer and strategist on economic development and environmental sustainability. He has worked with government councils, the European Commission, and the UN on resilience, sustainability, and community development issues. He is the author of ‘How Local Resilience Creates Sustainable Societies and Sustainability in Austerity’ and brings long experience in connecting ideas about local resilience and global sustainability to real-world practice.
