ClimateWise Associations Overview Booklet

Associations and Climate change

No longer “Business as Usual”

With extensive membership and networks, associations reach into and influence every business, profession, and community across Australia.

Associations – whether industry, business, professional or community – have a unique place in our society. In representing members, associations have the potential to influence up, down and sideways. No other organisations in the community have this kind of reach. It presents great opportunities for action and leadership.

Associations are increasingly wondering how to reduce climate emissions and vulnerabilities to climate risks. They want support and easy steps forward given they have lean teams to improve their operations; and to guide their members to take action.

Associations’ influence

“Australia needs to pull its weight when it comes to climate change”

Andrew McKellar, CEO, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

STRATEGIC GUIDANCE AND PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR AUSTRALIA’S ASSOCIATIONS

Climate imperative

Climate change is interrupting many ‘business as usual’ policies, operations and processes. It is the new and a volatile ‘normal’. Urgent action to address climate change impacts and cut emissions must become a key part of every association’s agenda.

An increasing number of associations are recognising the horrific impacts of climate change, as well as the challenges and opportunities for their members in reducing emissions and risks. Some are being pressed by their members, some by member splinter groups. Others are informed by warnings of dramatic impacts and costs for the sector.

We are already counting the costs from climate-driven disasters of record wildfires, droughts, cyclones, flooding and diseases – and the costs are rising as climate change worsens.

These worsening climate impacts don’t only cause physical damage to property, the ripple effects spread wide. Supply chains are disrupted, costs rise, plans are quashed, confidence and security vanish. Economic and community activity is disrupted, productivity is lost, and health costs – both physical and mental – rise.

Yet, there are many benefits for those that act to become climate-wise. Benefits include – revitalised programs, retained and new members, competitive advantage, profile with new sponsors, partners and governments, leadership reputation and being prepared for the future.

The pressure to become climate-wise will only grow, as will the scrutiny of decision makers and influencers on their emissions and adaptations.

Climate change effects are happening as you read this.

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Proactive, or just reactive?

Most associations and their sectors are subject to environmental regulatory measures. However, simply reacting to regulatory measures isn’t enough – an effective, climatewise association must be proactive

Associations need to forecast and assess risks for their members and sector – in the immediate and longer term. This includes considering implications, then adapting strategic plans, services, budgets, infrastructure and financial assets, and those of their members.

Associations are an essential part of the climate change solution – for their sectors and for Australia. Directors, CEOs and members need to capitalise on potential to drive action and exercise influence.

“Of course, the COVID is there, it's in front of us, it is affecting our families, our friends, our relatives. It's a very serious crisis the world is facing, but climate change will have a more significant medium- and long-term impact on the human life and on Earth ... and unfortunately, there's no vaccine for climate change."

Directors’ liability and risks

The Centre for Policy Development recently explored climate risks in terms of company directors’ duties The centrepiece of this work was a ground-breaking legal opinion on directors’ duties and climate risk. The opinion found that company directors who ignore or mismanage climate-related risks could be held personally liable for breaching their legal duties under the Corporations Act It is conceivable this risk and liability also applies to directors of associations for their advice to members and strategic decisions and management of member assets.

ClimateWise Associations website provides a rich treasure trove of information to assist with wise planning, priorities and decisions for a climate-wise future.

Jagan Chapagain, Secretary-General of the International Federation of the Red Cross

STRATEGIC GUIDANCE AND PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR AUSTRALIA’S ASSOCIATIONS

Association guidance and resources

The ClimateWise Associations program provides easy and effective guidance and tools designed especially for associations.

Associations and their members can quickly move forward – cutting emissions and reducing impact from worsening climate events. The ClimateWise Association Toolkit materials suit all associations and members – for businesses, industries, professionals and communities.

The ClimateWise Associations Toolkit has all your needs covered:

Barriers and opportunities – A quick list of clever and low-cost ways you can get around roadblocks to cutting emissions and reducing climate impacts

Emission reduction guidance and tools – for Scope 1, 2 and 3

Templates – Ready to use and adapt for your association

Rate your progress – Use this Rating Tool to find out how your association stacks up and ways to improve – very useful with your colleagues, decision makers and funders

Guide on climate and emission impacts upon supply chains and how to manage them

Case studies – examples of great associations in Australia and around the world implementing climate-wise initiatives

Resources and links – external links to helpful and authoritative sources for further facts, data, policies, and expert references

Action list for ready reference (as shown on pages 6 to 8)

ClimateWise Associations Starting out page

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Your Climate-wise Action List

Take these actions to become a climate-wise association

This list is based on the ClimateWise Rating Tool which is designed for associations to benchmark current standing and gauge progress. A copy of this Action List can be downloaded from the website. * = Top priority

Part 1 Association leadership for members

Provide education and tools

• Integrate climate risks and emission topics into conferences and education programs for members, board, staff, and volunteers *

• Encourage members to use greenhouse gas calculators to measure their emissions, and track their results

• Offer emissions reduction and climate change guidance and tools via accessible (not members-only) channels

• Facilitate climate-wise activities through mentoring, communities of practice and a help desk *

• Provide a peer benchmarking program so members can compare, learn, and adopt better practices

Gain knowledge and share information

• Gather information and conduct research on the risks and the opportunities for members to tackle climate change and cut emissions *

• Analyse trends, impacts and progress in the sector, such as costs, programs, insurance premiums, risks and GHG audits *

• Share information and convey urgency for action; include climate-wise news in regular member communications

• Promote members’ and external leaders’ smart practices, like bold strategies and big cuts to emissions; publish inspiring case studies

• Run public/consumer education campaigns on actions to help others take action

Part 1 Association leadership for members (continued)

Implement policy and planning

• Engage board of directors, leadership groups, members and staff on urgent and strategicshift policies and plans *

• Maintain a dynamic team (committee, task force or advisory group) recommending strategies and pursuing climate-wise actions

• Set and adopt targets to cut association’s and/or members’ emissions by >50% by 2030, and carbon neutral by 2050; help members to do the same

• Integrate climate and emissions into association’s mission, strategic plans and risk plans *

• Ensure policies and practices do no harm to the environment or vulnerable communities

• Publicly communicate association’s policy on emissions reduction and climate change adaptation

• Allocate climate-wise responsibilities and targets through position descriptions and KPIs

• Include climate-related costs and losses in projects, budgets and submissions *

• Integrate climate and emissions reduction into competencies, certifications, code of conduct and CPD training

• Encourage members to adopt national/global climate-related credentials or standards

• Integrate climate and emissions reduction into awards criteria to inspire and recognise leaders

• Evaluate and report on achievement of climate-wise goals and actions in reports and media

Collaboration and Partnerships

• Build strategic partnerships and exchanges with associations in Australia and overseas that are leading on climate and emissions reduction *

• Collaborate and share knowledge with others in the sector and field of activity *

• Apply for and support funding initiatives to help association, members and sector cut emissions and prepare for impacts

• Collaborate with governments and entities on proactive climate-wise public policy and measures *

• Participate in groups calling for accelerated action on emissions and climate; engage with environmental groups and others on shared climate objectives

• Provide climate-wise tools and resources to members for use elsewhere, such as workplaces and homes, for faster progress

Part 2: Association Operating Practices

Reduce Operational Emissions

Reviewing and implementing strategies for the association’s own operations are important actions for building relationships and leadership.

• Use greenhouse gas calculators to measure the association’s emissions

• Adopt Circular Economy principles in procurement and operational decisions

• Plan to cut emissions (by at least 50% by 2030) and become carbon neutral, such as through:

• travel policies

• deals including electric vehicle lease

• transport cards

• super-efficient building and equipment purchase or lease

• low-energy equipment purchase or lease

• Adhere to basic actions including:

• conducting virtual meetings

• directing business to contractors with green credentials

• choosing green venues

• eliminating paper and single use items

• reducing cloud data storage

• choosing products with low environmental impact

• applying re-use, repair and recycle policies to equipment and materials selection and suppliers

Offer climate-wise member programs

• Engage and partner with service providers that have clear emission reduction policies

• Implement measures like member deals to:

• access bulk purchase renewable power

• energy and emission audits

• engage expert consultants for emissions reduction and climate action

• Select investment fund managers and funds that reduce risks of climate change

• Select superannuation funds that meet Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures and provide net zero emission investment options

• Encourage and guide members to adopt each of these climate-wise operating practices

The ClimateWise Associations Rating Tool provides more detail on action to be taken and many helpful examples.

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About ClimateWise Associations

ClimateWise Associations is a strategically important new not-for-profit program which aims to advance wide-scale emission reduction and climate preparedness across Australian industries and communities, by supporting associations. It has been developed in consultation with Australian peak bodies and leading associations.

ClimateWise Associations is a free resource for people in associations across Australia to become more active in planning for the impacts of climate change, take charge of their destiny and support members.

Through easy, efficient, practical resources and guidance, ClimateWise Association helps associations and their members to:

• recognise and act on opportunities for action

• adapt their strategies, business plans, investments in property and programs

• leverage their collective power by engaging contractors and partners that understand climate risks and emission reduction opportunities in their supply chains and operations

• amend their training, certification and award programs that influence members

• collaborate with other climate-wise businesses and associations on the journey

ClimateWise Associations Founders

Our team has national expertise in associations, engagement, governance, climate and emissions, and in sustainability.

Helen Millicer, GAICD, Churchill Fellow, is Director at One Planet Consulting

Gail Greatorex is Director and Principal at Product Safety Solutions, Australia

Griffith University Climate Ready Initiative

With a long and strong reputation in climate, emissions and sustainability, Griffith University has founded the Griffith Climate Action Beacon and its Climate Ready Initiative (CRI) focussing on peak industry and professional associations. CRI is preparing to host the ClimateWise Associations program to build and support its growth.

Visit climatewise.org.au contact@climatewise.org.au

Get on board… become proactive and expand your association’s opportunities to manage climate impacts for members and beyond

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