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Last updated: 24 March 2009
23 March 2009
A new taskforce launched by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affiars (Defra) will help the government and the third sector to tackle climate change and environmental issues.
The group will be jointly chaired by Defra, Department of Energy and Climate Change and Cabinet Office ministers and third sector representatives and aims to identify specific actions that Government and the third sector can take together to tackle climate change, environmental problems and sustainable development more broadly. The Department for Communities and Local Government will also be represented on the taskforce. Third sector co-chairs will be nominated at the first meeting.
The taskforce was announced as part of Defra’s Third Sector Strategy in November 2008. It is a unique opportunity for third sector leaders to come together to develop an action plan to raise the awareness and profile of climate change in the sector and to influence third sector and government action. The partnership will seek to increase the volume of activity in the sector on climate change, sustainability and environmental issues and will use the third sector network and contacts with communities to raise awareness and encourage action – such as helping people to be more energy efficient in their homes, creating low carbon neighbourhoods or towns or encouraging participation in environmental volunteering programmes. It will also look at how Government and the third sector can do more to connect with specific sectors of the community and how Government can best support the work of third sector organisations on these issues.
A diverse membership representing the full spectrum of third sector organisations – from all interest areas, not just the environment, and of all sizes – is crucial to the success of the taskforce. Applications for membership of the taskforce are now invited from third sector organisations. Specialist contributors will also be invited to participate on an ad hoc basis as required. The recruitment process is being coordinated by Green Alliance and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) who will provide the secretariat for the taskforce.
Further information can be found via the link below