Almost one year ago, Corra launched its ten-year strategy. A strategy that aims to respond to the world we live in and to the one we want to play a part in building.
Over the next decade Corra will work collaboratively with communities, charities and partners to respond to the big challenges facing Scotland. Including the climate emergency. There is no doubt that climate change will have considerable ramifications for social, economic and equality issues. Issues that have already been laid bare and intensified by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
With the help of a Corra staff working group the ‘Green Team’, Corra has been strengthening its response to the climate emergency. This includes efforts to decarbonise operations, and Changeworks reported that since January 2019 Corra has saved 1185kg of C02 through recycling.
Like many others Corra has watched in admiration and stood in solidarity with children and young people as they demand action and demonstrate their leadership in creating positive change. Corra is proud to join partners in supporting the Young People’s Forest, a unique project that will see young people co-design, create and curate a forest whilst also responding to the climate emergency.
Corra is delighted to join over fifty UK funders pledging to take action by signing the Funder Commitment to Climate Change. By signing the pledge Corra is committing to playing its part in addressing the causes and impacts of climate change. This includes:
- Educate and learn
Corra will make opportunities for our trustees, staff and the people we work alongside to learn more about the key causes and solutions of climate change.
- Commit resources
Corra will commit resources to accelerate work that addresses the causes and impacts of climate change. If Corra’s governing document or other factors make it difficult to directly fund such work, the foundation will find other ways to contribute, or consider how such barriers might be overcome.
- Integrate
Within all Corra’s existing programmes, priorities and processes, it will seek opportunities to contribute to a fair and lasting transition to a post carbon society, and to support adaptation to climate change impacts.
Corra’s current grant programmes includes the Climate Justice Innovation Fund and International Development Small Grants Programme which it manages on behalf of the Scottish Government. These programmes support work in Malawi, Rwanda, Zambia and Pakistan, to trial and implement approaches which contribute to climate change responses and have a positive impact on the environment as well as local communities.
- Steward our investment for a post-carbon future
Corra will recognise climate change as a high-level risk to its investments, and therefore to its mission. Corra has divested from fossil fuels and will continue to proactively address the risks and opportunities of a transition to a post carbon economy in its investment strategy and its implementation, recognising that the organisation’s decisions can contribute to this transition being achieved.
- Decarbonise our operations
Corra will take ambitious action to minimise the carbon footprint of its own operations.
- Report on progress
Corra will report annually on progress against the five goals listed above. It will continue to develop its practice, to learn from others, and to share learning.
Corra’s ‘Green Team’ will begin taking forward the actions and continue to identify opportunities for Corra to contribute to a fairer, greener society.
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Notes to editor
- Corra Foundation exists to make a difference to the lives of people and communities. It works with others to encourage positive change, opportunity, fairness and growth of aspirations which improve quality of life. Corra wants to see a society in which people create positive change and enjoy fulfilling lives.
- In 2020 Corra launched a ten-year strategy. It is long term because making a different on the big challenges will take time. At its heart is the strong belief that when people find their voice, they unlock the power to make change happen. You can read the full strategy here: https://www.corra.scot/corra-strategy-2020-2030/
- Corra Foundation is working in partnership with the Scottish Government to administer and manage a number of Scottish Government development assistance programmes, including the Climate Justice Innovation Fund. https://www.corra.scot/grants/international-development/
- Corra Foundation is proud to support the Young People’s Forest, alongside partners. The Young People’s Forest will be co-designed and governed by young people. Find out more here: https://youngscot.net/news-database/young-peoples-forest
