ESRAG's New Resources for Climate Action



I’m sure that you are all following the proceedings at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, better known as COP27, currently taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.  This is the ideal time to share ESRAG's just-published Policy Statement on Climate Action to encourage and equip you as the nations of the world struggle to achieve the necessary commitments to prevent catastrophe.  "In our role as one of the planet's largest and most networked humanitarian organizations, we are perfectly positioned to tackle the climate crisis' huge humanitarian costs and to rally the people and resources needed to mitigate further destruction," we wrote.  Click the "read more" button for details and additional tools.

As I mentioned in the October newsletter, Rotary is represented at the conference with a delegation including ESRAG Past Chair, Dr Christopher Puttock, RI President Jennifer Jones, Judith Diment (Dean of Rotary Representatives to the UN and other international agencies and Representative to the Commonwealth), Keith Madden (The Rotary Foundation Environment Area of Focus Manager) and PDG Mohamed Delawar. You can follow the COP27 blog on the ESRAG website here

The ESRAG Board's Policy Statement on Climate Action sets out ESRAG’s commitment to climate action that: 
  • Supports the environmental leadership of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation
  • Engages with Rotary, Rotaract and Interact clubs to address climate change
The policy includes:
  • Key climate messages
  • Alignment of climate action to Rotary’s Four Way Test
  • A framework for Climate Action, embracing the four goals of ESRAG’s Climate Roadmap
We see four vital ways for Rotarians to act:
  • Increase our impact by reducing carbon emissions (Lori Cloutier's article on alternatives to single-use plastics offers a great example)
  • Expand our reach through partnerships (such as Rotary Solar Habitat)
  • Engagment through nature-based solutions (like Jennifer Jones' advocacy for mangrove projects)
  • Adapt by aligning our investments
We have also developed some practical tools for climate action, including:
  1. Every Club Climate Friendly: A five-step plan to reduce the carbon emissions for your Club or District here
  2. ESRAG Online Club Carbon Calculator - a new user-friendly tool, which was developed by a team from the ESRAG Oceania Regional Chapter, has been specially designed for use by Rotary or Rotaract Clubs or Districts. The tool allows a Club or District to enter data, such as travel, electricity, meals and accommodation, to allow it to estimate their carbon emissions from meetings, events and projects. With this estimate, the Club or District can then educate their members and take actions to reduce their carbon emissions. here
  3. Flight Carbon Estimator - use this estimator to compensate for the carbon emitted from your air travel, through voluntary donations to the Environment Fund of The Rotary Foundation. here
What else is ESRAG doing to support Rotarians, their Clubs and Districts to take action on climate? There are climate solutions resources here, plus information about our Climate Taskforces here (e.g. Renewable Energy) and Initiatives (e.g. Climate Action Roadmap) here.

Many Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors are taking climate leadership. What else can we all do in our homes, businesses, Clubs and Districts to take actions to address climate change? Every Rotary member can pledge to reduce his/her carbon footprint. Our Clubs, Districts and Zones can establish Environment Committees and make a commitment to complete environmental, including climate related, projects every year. Together, we can make difference.