How Co-op Fortnight is tackling climate change

What is Co-op Fortnight? 

Co-op Fortnight is a celebration of all things co-operative. That’s businesses owned by the many and run by their owners. While we are the biggest co-operative in the UK, there are plenty more beside us. 

This year, Co-op Fortnight focusses on how co-operatives do things differently.  

We don’t do them differently for the sake of it. We do it, because it’s the right thing to do – to listen and act on the concerns of everyone, not just the few. 

We have ambitious targets 

We act on the big issues our members-owners care about. We know that climate change is having an ongoing impact on our member-owners, their community, and the planet. We have therefore set ambitious climate targets and are continuing to reduce our business’ energy use; make changes to our transport network and work closely with our suppliers to reduce the climate impact of the products we sell.   

Our member-owners also want to take their own climate action and need our support to do so. We are empowering them to tackle climate change and protect nature on their doorsteps by providing funding, resources, and opportunities to learn, take part and campaign.  

How Co-op Academies students are helping to take climate actions at their annual Eco Conferences 

In April, the Co-op Academies Trust hosted its annual Eco Conferences, a two-day event where students from across the Trust explored climate issues. Children from their schools’ Eco Clubs presented their projects to the other delegates, sharing what their academies had focused on over the past year.  

Presentations included plans for a peace garden, wellbeing gardens, community gardens, and joint efforts within many school communities to tackle litter. 

Throughout the event, students had the opportunity to meet inspiring individuals who guided them on their eco journey. 

They also engaged in outdoor activities with the Royal Horticultural Society, examining different habitats available for various creatures. 

The conference was organised and delivered by Keela Walsh from the Co-op and supported by the new Co-op Academies Trust Community team. 

This team has been finding ways to support Eco Clubs with bids and grants for equipment, sourcing vouchers, and volunteers to improve the quality of life and opportunities for students and families through eco and wellbeing gardens. 

Through a collaboration with community teams and Co-op supplier Biffa, all academies received wildflower seeds, and some even received apple trees for their gardens. 

Keela Walsh, Academies Advisor at Co-op, said: “Each year we are inspired by the young eco-warriors who attend our Eco Conferences to showcase their eco projects and share best practices with their peers. 

“The level of enthusiasm and engagement truly demonstrates that they are passionate about creating a more sustainable environment not only for their academy community but also their local communities.” 

An altogether different way to do business 

Co-operatives are collectively owned and democratically controlled and built on a common set of values. This means they are: 

• Run for the benefit of members and communities.  

• Owned and controlled by their members, not distant shareholders.  

• Ethical, acting in a responsible and sustainable way.  

• A campaigning force, standing up for the issues members believe in like climate change.   

Discover more about the benefits of co-operatives and co-operation at www.uk.coop/altogether