Climate solutions are creating vital incomes for communities struggling with the duel impact of coronavirus and climate change, a new report has found.
Powering Better Work, produced by climate charity Ashden, reveals how innovative projects and enterprises, spanning community-owned solar microgrids to green building companies, create impact around the world.
The report also found that “urgent financial support” is needed to see visionary low carbon organisations and businesses through the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis, so they can continue providing long-term social, economic and climate benefits in the long-term.
Ashden chief executive Harriet Lamb has called for more backing for sustainable solutions, such as those in the report, which will help communities “build back better”.
Lamb stated in the report: “The coronavirus pandemic will not affect us all equally. Those living in poverty are most in danger.
“Often, these same communities are most at risk from the climate crisis.
“By investing in climate action, we create better work for the worst off – work that simultaneously tackles poverty and protects the planet, bringing benefits today and tomorrow.”
Powering Better Work shows how climate solutions bring an enormous range of further benefits such as tackling gender inequality and improving community resilience.
The report explores the need for greater income stability and decent working conditions, as well as higher earnings.
It also gives examples of how innovators have adapted to the pandemic quickly, using their networks and knowledge to shift from the climate crisis to the coronavirus crisis.
“In recent months grassroots climate enterprises and organisations, including many listed in this report, have been challenged like never before. Supply chains are disrupted, finance has dried up, and customers simply cannot pay.
“However, innovators have adapted with breathtaking speed – often pivoting their operations or taking on new roles, such as delivering health care supplies, always driven by the values at their core,” Lamb said.
The report highlights four key qualities of better work.