How people want charities and government to respond to the climate and nature crises

What do different social groups have in common?

Many of our focus groups were attended by people who fall into more than one group. As such, charities should be mindful of the needs that are shared between groups: ​

• All of the groups we spoke to wanted charities to support them to advocate for action on the environmental crises. Young people and older people felt that the government isn’t doing enough, and older people, Disabled people and people from ethnic minority communities do not feel that their voices are heard by policy makers.​
• All of the groups wanted charities to extend their existing support to help them respond to the environmental crises, which many felt were already impacting their lives. The focus of this differed by group: for example, young people wanted support on mental health, whereas older people and Disabled people wanted specific support with the health impacts of the environmental crises.​
• Many of the groups also raised a need for better information and education about environmental impacts, policy responses, and the actions that individuals can take. 
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Policy makers should be mindful of the priorities that are shared between groups: ​

• Transport is a policy priority for all groups, though specific solutions varied between the groups. Many groups (older people, Disabled people and people from ethnic minority communities) highlighted the need for transport infrastructure to be more accessible, and for greater subsidy for those on low incomes. ​
• All groups thought that government policy needed to balance regulation with increased subsidies.​
• Other than transport, policy priorities varied:​
  • Young people and people from ethnic minority communities shared priorities around renewable energy, as well as about investment in green jobs and skills.​
  • Older people and people from ethnic minority communities shared priorities around housing.​
  • Disabled people prioritised environmental policies that protect household income and acknowledge the increased costs faced by
  • Disabled people in responding to environmental impacts.

What young people want charities to do:

• Charities need to help young people be involved in the environmental action.​
• Young people want charities to green their operations as a bare minimum. But they also want charities to teach them and others about the issues; help them access green jobs and training; support them with their mental health; and provide opportunities for time outside.

Other key insights from what young people say in short:

• Young people hope simply to enjoy what many of us take for granted. A lot of these dreams feel harder to reach due to the impacts of the environmental crises.​
• Young people see better nature and climate as central to the life they want to live.​
• Young people think about the climate crisis and worry about what it means for their futures.

What people from ethnic minority communities want charities to do:

• Charities should support people from ethnic minority communities to have a voice in policy making and hold policy makers accountable for the social impacts of environmental policy.​
• Charities could also provide information that empowers individual environmental action, and build capacity in local areas to allow grassroots initiatives to thrive.

Other key insights from what ethnic minority communities say in short:

• People from ethnic minority communities are taking environmental action; largely motivated by health or economic factors, and sometimes where it fits with cultural or religious values.​
• People from ethnic minority communities say they don’t feel listened to by policy makers. They report significant distrust of whether environmental policy recognises the challenges they face. ​
• People from ethnic minority communities want to see energy, housing and transport prioritised in environmental policy, and for policy makers to consider the social and economic impacts of decisions.

What Disabled people want charities to do:

• Disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) and disability charities should help Disabled people advocate for their rights in relation to environmental impacts and government policy responses.​
• DPOs and charities should ensure information on environmental crises and policy are accessible.​
• DPOs and charities should help Disabled people to manage the impacts of the environmental crises on their health and wellbeing.

Other key insights from what Disabled people say in short:

• Disabled people already cannot live the lives that they want and are already experiencing the impacts of the climate and nature crises.​
• Disabled people see opportunities for policies to improve their quality of life and benefit the environment, and want to be involved in shaping these solutions.​
• Disabled people urgently need accessible communication from government on environmental crises.

What older people want charities to do:

• Charities should give older people an appropriate platform to input into action on the climate and nature crises.​
• Charities should support older people with the impacts of the climate and nature crises. For example: ensure continuity of services/transport in extreme weather; help people to manage health conditions; and support access to food and water in emergencies.

Other key insights from what older people say in short:

• Older people are not complacent about the climate and nature crises. They already see its impacts, especially on health and wellbeing, and they worry about its impacts on themselves and future generations.​
• Older people feel that the government has not taken sufficient action during their lifetimes and are frustrated