Joe Atkinson

What public policies would I be championing if standing for election as a MP? In this article I discuss the changes I would like to see to Farming and Food Security, to help both protect environmental biodiversity and return control of food production and supply to local communities and people. "Talk about building a single point of failure into the supply chain! And remember… if you control the food, you control the people!" "... our soil is not just dirt: it is the living and breathing lungs of our planet." "Financial incentives for organic farming, regenerative polyculture, mixed arable & livestock (as opposed to one or the other), replanting hedgerows and not using pesticides/insecticides." "Immediate end to all taxpayer subsidies for all so-called “solar farms” or so-called “wind farms” (i.e. industrial installations) irrespective of where built." "Unused agricultural land being sat on by developers for potential future housing projects (often just outside housing estates) to immediately be made available to community groups for community farming and allotments, with minimum 3 years notice given to community before access is revoked." "Removal of all registration requirements for keeping of “home size” quantities of poultry and livestock for personal, family and community use and consumption. This to include sale of raw (i.e. unpasteurised) milk when supplied direct from farm." https://lnkd.in/eeWjCFtq

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This is a great and digestible quick guide to #climatechange #communications for the #generalelection #ge2024 🌱💬🗳️

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Just finished reading Caroline Lucas’ Another England - How to Reclaim our National Story. This is essential reading for anyone still wondering how #Brexit happened and how do we move forward from the toxic polarisation actively encouraged by the current Government. For too long England has allowed national pride to be highjacked by those cynically stirring up hate for those classed as other as a way of continuing to get away with fleecing the public purse, hoovering up #wealth, impoverishing working people and eroding hard won #employment protections and public services. With a Government telling struggling families that their problems are caused by those fleeing hardship in small boats, to hide the truth that it’s their policies to protect wealth concentration by the few that’s the real kicker, yesterday’s far right #protest in London is no surprise. Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (aka Tommy Robinson) and his followers and funders cannot be allowed to claim to be the guardian’s of national pride and identity. Just like the shadowy think tanks who stoke the anger of those attracted to these far right fallacies, Tommy Robinson and his flock represent a tiny minority of English people and despite their posturing represent the values of few of their fellow citizens. National pride does not have to mean accepting a narrow and skewed version of our nation’s history. The #history that those in power are really scared of the British people being told is how a small wealthy elite have always been stealing, not just from nations colonised by Britain, not just from the Scottish, Irish and the Welsh. But from English people too - in stealing (enclosing) #land once held in common and dishing it out as favours to a select few - shutting people off from their source of food and warmth. Those who voted for Brexit can’t just be dismissed as #racist or ignorant. Those living outside of London have valid reasons to feel neglected by our London centric #political system and only by visiting and listening to the concerns of England’s diverse #communities can we learn the lessons of Brexit and move forward for the good of all British people in their wonderful diversity. There is nothing #patriotic about a Government squeezing those on the lowest and on middle incomes and overseeing the steady withering of our #publicservices and infrastructure to protect the wealth hoarding of the few. Thankyou Caroline for taking the time to genuinely listen to the people of England and to thoughtfully explore how to allow people to be proud to be English in a way that doesn’t come at the expense of others. #literature #tax #election #vote Patriotic Millionaires UK National Trust English Heritage Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK) The Wildlife Trusts Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)

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For those not aware of Jane Davidson and Wales Net Zero 2035: The Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group will explore ways to accelerate the delivery of Wales’ climate change commitments, in a manner that addresses the many related challenges facing Wales, from food and energy security to rural livelihoods and economic opportunity for all. Why is what happens in Wales important or of interest to others? In 2015, when the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act was introduced, Nikhil Seth, the UN Assistant Secretary General said, ‘What Wales is doing today, the world will do tomorrow’ as Wales is still the only country in the world with a law to improve the well-being of people today and future generations. In 2023, the UN is creating a global Envoy for Future Generations based on Wales’ approach: https://lnkd.in/e6kzgiDN I met Jane four years ago in Findhorn, Scotland four years ago. I was on a mission setting up MovingBeyond (https://lnkd.in/eRJY5qd8) but it was clear I was on the nursery slopes compared to Jane. What she and her team are doing in Wales is truly extraordinary and for me is giving us all a sense of what is possible when we bring together all parts of society and become aligned. The whole philosophy behind the Future Generations Act just helps break down all the normal barriers we might have had not to act!

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Taking climate action needs to be easy and accessible if we want everyone to get involved ... 🌍 Enter Zellar, whom I've had the pleasure of being involved with since 2020. They've made an all-in-one platform that helps give everyone the tools they need to embed sustainability into their organisations. All in all, it's exactly what we need to start putting government policy into action IRL. It was great getting to see V2 with Will Wale yesterday which helps to: ✍ Provide auto-generated climate action plans and sustainability supply chain documents 🎮 Gamify everyday sustainable habits with daily checklists that everyone can get involved with to keep up your streak 💡 Explain how much carbon you are saving in an accessible and economical way That's just the tip of the iceberg, Zellar has so many cool features and functions that are perfect for businesses and schools alike - looking to continue their sustainability journey. Putting their words into action. You've also got until the 16th of June to enter your school's sustainability project into Zellars competition in collaboration with Biffa, Water Plus and Earth Cubs for the chance to win £1000 and some other very snazzy green prizes. Find out how to enter here: https://lnkd.in/efuktQap I can't wait to see how the platform develops and grows in the future. Big things coming with this 🚀 #sustainability #techforgood #schools #education #climateaction #business #businessforgood

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We’re always looking for ways to make our forecasts more accessible and usable as well as more accurate. The Local Authority Climate Service aims to help decision makers see what they might need to prepare for in their local area #climate

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This one goes out to all our #RouteSmart users in the municipal sector, especially those in the UK facing the challenge of creating routes for food waste collection from both domestic and commercial properties. RouteSmart users will be aware that the "partitions" facility in RouteSmart can be used in many ways but, importantly, its not just for creating balanced sets of work for each each day. Existing partitions for refuse, such as, Monday collections on weeks one, two and three, can be locked down and combined to create weekly food waste routes, without any day changes required. It's kinda technical but easy to learn and we have a great team member to guide you through the process. Join Josh Wheddon, one of the route optimisation team here at ISL, on Thursday 1st August 2024 at 3pm to find out more. Please note that this webinar is only available to current ISL RouteSmart users who have gone through our training programme. If you are reading this and are not a RouteSmart user but are interested in applying RouteSmart to your food collection planning then feel free to send me a message. ISL provides food waste collection route planning consultancy to local authorities who do not have GIS based route optimisation software in place. https://lnkd.in/gRszqggi #wastemanagement #foodwaste #routeoptimisation

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I’m a huge fan of the work of Rebalance Earth, Howden, and other financial services companies to recognize the value of nature as a valuable asset class. This post by Walid Al Saqqaf - Rebalance Earth provides an excellent overview of the idea. Sao Paolo, New York, and other jurisdictions have invested in nature to restore critical water services. How might we 100x increase public and private finance into these kinds of green infrastructure projects? #ecosystemservices #naturepositive #sustainability

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🤔 The season of UK consultations seems to have begun…? First up - a 14 question consultation on the “how” of the UK Green Taxonomy, not the “why” or the “what”. “Globally, around 20 jurisdictions have a government-endorsed taxonomy in operation, with approximately 30 more considering developing one. These taxonomies are not static frameworks, but require continual monitoring and evaluation, for example to update criteria or expand sectoral coverage. A taxonomy is a classification tool which provides its users with a common framework to define which economic activities support climate, environmental or wider sustainability objectives. A taxonomy differs from other sustainability initiatives in that it is predominantly designed to apply at the level of economic activities, providing users with information about individual activities and processes. By contrast, reporting frameworks […] are mainly focused on providing investors with the information they need to assess sustainability-related risks and opportunities at an entity-level.”

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A most helpful assessment of where we are, the paradigm shift required away from economic growth and how to achieve that

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Today, I will be speaking on a Sylvera Live Webinar for carbon project developers with Annalise Downey (Sylvera) & Joseph Ellsworth (Boeing) 📅 Date: Today, Monday 24th June 🕒 Time: 16:00 BST 🔗 Sign up now to reserve your spot: https://lnkd.in/edpqaiiS What you can expect: 🔍 Discover the crucial information investors need to evaluate the potential and impact of carbon projects 🚧 Understand the major hurdles investors face in order to better address them 🤝 Learn how we can collectively overcome these challenges and foster robust investment in high-quality, effective carbon projects #bluelayer #carbonprojects #carbonremoval #sylvera #carbonmarkets #sustainability

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Water is the next focus in sustainability. Here is a little video of the introduction I gave to a panel discussion on the for UCL last week. Sadly there is a huge competence gap in the sustainability profession - many are carbon specific for instance but we need to take a holistic view of impacts to build resilience both in organisations and for long term well being for all. Be Better Education exists to fill the knowledge gaps by giving lightbulb moments for everyone - Please get in touch if we can support your organisation to navigate this space… through our 💡 ‘Boards on Board’ training and workshops 💡CSuite coaching 💡Bespoke knowledge share sessions 💡Industry roundtables 💡Strategic consultation

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This might be controversial… Last Thursday, BBC Panorama aired their programme on the carbon credits market which investigated companies stating they are net zero through the use of carbon offsets/ credits, as well as the schemes offering these credits. Greenwashing is increasingly a problem with many companies already falling foul of it by claiming they’re more sustainable than they actually are. This can lose you customers (existing and potential) and damage your reputation for a considerable time. It also means that businesses that could be making a more positive impact on the environment are choosing the easier option of offsetting a significant portion of their emissions. And they’re being called out. Our general advice to companies is to reduce your carbon emissions first and then look at offsetting those which you cannot reduce. We have also advised clients who have been purchasing considerable amounts of credits (where there are obvious areas where they can reduce their own emissions) to not do so and instead, reinvest that outlay in improving efficiency within their business operations first. If you want to make sure your organisation is being transparent with customers and other stakeholders and you’re doing all you can to be sustainable, then contact us today for a chat. #NetZero #CarbonEmissions #ResponsibleBusiness

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Thoughts on #COP? Absolutely acknowledge its successes, and the crucial, thankless, often frustrated behind the scenes work put in by many people I hugely respect. But... has it just morphed, consciously or otherwise, into a pointless exercise? I woke up this morning with my usual competing, swirling thoughts on the COP process, all fighting each other for top spot. And then saw this article https://lnkd.in/etHHsnmX that made me write the post I wanted to on Monday morning, or for COP28, COP27, etc.. Would love to hear your opinions - which sits strongest with you? "COP is": 1. A critical annual part of process to maintain international government level focus on mitigating the effects of climate change and ensuring just transition? 2. An annual event that needs to happen and be tolerated to maintain the profile, but the real work is all done in the other 51 weeks of the year? 3. An annual marketing junket for corporates and consultants that creates more carbon than it reduces? 4. Not fit for for purpose and in need of a massive overhaul so governments and businesses are properly held to account, those most impacted are listened to and actually get the help they need, and only those who really need to be there actually go? Happy Friday! Sophie Brooks Rick Benfield Katie Clarke Katie King-Smith

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🎶 History Has It's Eyes on You… 🏗️ The choices you make today will define your impact, career and the legacy you leave behind. Are you ready to step into the room where it happens? When I founded Darren Evans Sustainability Consultancy in 2007—long before Net Zero Carbon was on anyone’s radar—I saw firsthand how real-world experience and building strong networks can elevate professionals to new heights. It’s the people who embrace these opportunities that truly thrive and make an impact. This is your shot. What will you do with it? I’m bringing together the most inspiring minds from my Thrive in Construction Podcast for an exclusive, invite-only event designed for professionals ready to make a lasting impact on the future of construction. 🔥 What to expect at the event: → Expert-Led Discussions: Insights from industry leaders on the future of construction and sustainability. → Networking Sessions: Opportunities to connect with top professionals, innovators, and decision-makers in the construction industry. → Interactive Workshops: Hands-on learning about sustainable building practices. → Q&A with Thought Leaders: Get answers directly from the experts who are shaping the built environment's future. → Exclusive Networking Opportunities: Build meaningful connections with professionals committed to transforming the construction industry. This isn't just another event—it’s a space for professionals committed to investing in themselves and their future. 💡 Want to be part of it? Join the waitlist now, and as an optional extra, answer a few quick questions to ensure you're a perfect fit for this transformative experience. 📅 Dates will be announced in Mid-October for those on the Waitlist. 🎯 Join the Waitlist here: https://lnkd.in/eeHu_zD4 Will they tell your story? #ConstructionNetworking #ProfessionalDevelopment #ThriveInConstruction #NetZero

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👀 #COP29 is well underway! ♻️ Day 2 is upon us, but if you want an update of what's been discussed already, with a focus on what the #UK is doing to tackle climate change, take a look at 5D Net Zero's new blog 🗞️ #Sustainability #KeirStarmer #NetZero

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