Using advocacy to help protect the environment
What we do
FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY WE USE ADVOCACY
Our advocacy method is not about confrontation; in fact quite the reverse, we gently influence those with power to bring about change. It is important to first find issues which both parties agree on. Spend time supporting them and building good relationships. Once this is done they are more likely to be sympathetic to requests for changes.
Part of our missions is to carry out advocacy work through speaking out against injustice, defending the cause of poor people, holding those in power to account, and empowering people to speak out for themselves.
We advocate to:
- Tackle root causes of poverty, injustice and brings long-term change
- Support people become agents of change in their own communities
- Help to generate more resources for development work
- Help change power structures and systems of injustice.
We are able to influence people, policies, structures and systems in order to bring about change and communicate with those in power, persuading them to act in more just and equitable ways. At the core, it is about building relationships, tackling the root causes of poverty and promoting justice.
- Example is a community suffering because of environmental pollution by a local factory, it is appropriate to address the problem through advocacy work. Advocacy work at the local level involves influencing the decision-makers in the factory through showing them the impact of the pollution, and asking them to stop the pollution. This can be done positively by explaining the health benefits of no pollution. At the national level, advocacy may involve asking for changes to the laws related to pollution by industry.
- Climate change is a global problem, governments around the world need to work together to find a solution. Our non-government organisations can support national governments carry out research and collect data related to local impacts of climate change. We endeavour to attend international meetings to talk to delegates from many different countries about the problem of climate change.
your guide
Our effective advocacy planning involves:
- Knowing root causes of the situation.
- Research and analyse information on causes and effects of the problem and identify possible solutions. Establish which groups and organisations might help with advocacy work. Identify those with power to change the situation. Consider who might oppose change and how to overcome this. Understand the risks that advocacy work might bring. Decide whether advocacy work is the right way forward.
- Make a clear plan of action including the goal, objectives, outputs, and means of measuring success, methods, schedule, risks and responsibilities for work.
- Direct influencing called lobbying can be done orally or in writing. It could involve writing letters to officials, or it could involve meeting with them individually or in public meetings.
- Mobilise the public by campaigning, telling the public about a situation. Discuss problem and the potential situation to encourage taking action. It could include arranging public meetings, taking part in demonstrations or marches, writing newsletters, asking people to sign petitions, or preaching. Methods that are appropriate in some countries may not be appropriate in others.
- Media is informing people about a problem, identifying those who are responsible, and suggesting solutions for those who have the power to change the situation. Media work could include writing an article or letter for a newspaper or magazine, talking on the radio or TV, telling journalists about the situation or producing a press release.
- Evaluation Monitor progress. What has worked well? What has not worked well? What could be done differently in future?
We advocate for sustainable management of natural resources
Good management of forests, fresh water, pastures, soils and other resources is essential if communities are to develop in ways that do not damage their natural environment. There is increasing competition for land, wood for fuel or for timber (industry and export) and for water for drinking, agriculture and industry. These challenge efforts to manage the natural environment so that it does not become depleted and damaged. When deciding to carry out advocacy in relation to this issue, it is very important that the causes of a particular problem impacting a community or country are fully analysed. Usually, government responsibility for resource management is divided between different departments and administrative levels.
Understanding the most effective way to use advocacy is therefore very important. Sometimes resource management issues can result in conflict between local people and large multinational companies, with government sometimes taking the side of the companies. Resource management issues can also cause conflicts within communities as people struggle for scarce resources such as water or land. Problems related to natural resources are usually interconnected – what happens to forests affects water supplies and soil qualities and so on. Communities may only experience impacts in relation to one resource, but the resources in other communities may also be affected.
Understanding the most effective way to use advocacy is therefore very important. Sometimes resource management issues can result in conflict between local people and large multinational companies, with government sometimes taking the side of the companies. Resource management issues can also cause conflicts within communities as people struggle for scarce resources such as water or land. Problems related to natural resources are usually interconnected – what happens to forests affects water supplies and soil qualities and so on. Communities may only experience impacts in relation to one resource, but the resources in other communities may also be affected.