CCF is a registered charity, which works to motivate and empower people to substantially reduce their CO2 emissions, helping to build low-carbon communities that are sustainable, resilient and rewarding.
Mission statement
“The promotion for the benefit of the public of the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment by raising awareness of climate change and encouraging practical steps to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.”
Our goals and values
Our goal is to promote public engagement with the problem of climate change and facilitate substantial, permanent reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. We approach the problem from a psychological, social and cultural standpoint. We are interested in why people find the problem hard to engage with, how they conceal its implications from themselves and what the psychological and social mechanisms are that will allow engagement, release creativity, change behaviour and move us collectively towards a low-carbon society.
Our emphasis is on providing tangible, practical help to individuals and communities within a framework of effective communication, and appropriate social and personal support.
Our work is guided by five principles.
Projects and activities
CCF’s approach derives from multiple perspectives in psychology, psychotherapy, group work, and communications research. It depends on developing an empathic, compassionate response to those we seek to influence, understanding the fears and dilemmas that lie behind common reactions of indifference or inaction. Working in a participatory fashion, understanding the deep, affective currents that course through society in response to political and economic events, and building in reflective practice have all been important in shaping our approach.
Our key areas of work include:
Home energy: Our home energy work includes Climate Friendly Homes, thermal imaging, eco renovation workshops, and Open Eco Homes
Low carbon living: Supports people in putting low carbon living into practice. Projects include: Carbon Conversations, Continuing Carbon Converations, Book groups and Low Carbon Living events. It also includes our food projects, including Eating Local, Eating Well on a Budget and Dairy Free, and the development of associated resources.
Volunteers and training: CCF depends largely on volunteers to deliver its projects. We currently have over 100 active volunteers, who turn up to help on stalls at events, act as “meeters and greeters” at workshops and talks, facilitate Carbon Conversations groups, carry out Climate Friendly Homes surveys or design websites for us and write our newsletter. We run regular training sessions for our volunteers on different aspects of our work. In 2010, we also introduced regular volunteer lunches.
