Urbanism
Environment
Design

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In 2006, URBED were commissioned by Co-operatives UK to design a Carbon Challenge toolkit aimed at helping co-operatives respond to the carbon challenge. The toolkit includes:

• Background on the need for action on climate change,
• Practical information making the business case,
• A simple seven step guide to achieving carbon reductions,
• Guidance on how to report on KS&CP Indicator 9,
• Case studies of how co-operatives have realised the benefits.

The Challenge Make a commitment to reduce your CO2 emissions 20% or more by 2010

Demonstrating the Co-operative Difference Throughout their 156 year history co-operatives have sought to improve quality of life and secure a future for communities, creating a virtuous circle that harnesses the benefits of commercial success for ‘more-than-just-profit’. In 2001 the Co-operative Commission recommended that co-operatives re-affirm the ‘co-operative difference’. The Key Social & Co-operative Performance Indicators (KS&CPI) have been established as a tool for co-operatives to measure their ‘co-operative difference’.

As a defining issue of our times climate change is a key area in which co-operatives should be seen to be taking the lead. Reflecting the importance of climate change KS&CPI Indicator 9 expects all co-operatives to report annually their carbon emissions. But this is only the first step. The ultimate aim is for co-operatives to demonstrate year on year carbon reductions – acting as a movement to demonstrate business leadership.