Introduction

Climate change is a reality. Today, our world is hotter than it has been for 2000 years. The average global temperature is predicted to rise by as much as 5°C during the course of this century: this is higher than at any time in the past two million years.

As a result, flooding will increase dramatically with violent storms and heavy rainfall becoming more frequent. The world’s glaciers are already melting and sea levels are rising. Droughts are also becoming more frequent in Africa, Asia and the Mediterranean. The extinction of species is speeding up as animals, plants and whole ecosystems are unable to adapt quickly enough.

High level, international agreements alone are not going to stop dangerous climate changes. However, we can do something about global warming, providing we act together. We already have the technology to make industrial growth compatible with the climate. It will also cost 20 times less than if we do nothing. However, it will need behavioural changes by individuals and communities.

It is for this reason that EUCC - The Coastal Union will implement the following activities.

Statement

EUCC - The Coastal Union recognises that climate change is already happening, that it is largely driven by human activities and that it is not to late to influence the process in a positive fashion. In its daily business, therefore, EUCC - The Coastal Union will take measures within its own compass which will help to reduce its carbon burden on the environment. It will also make this policy known to others as an example of how individuals and organisations can meaningfully help to slow down the global warming process.

Measures

The following measures are all being conducted by the organisation:-

Travel

• each year, staff will collectively travel less than 5% than the previous year. 2006 will be taken as the baseline since this is the year where we have detailed figures).
• no travel in an aeroplane will be undertaken within 500 km radius of the office where the staff are employed.
• the use of public transport to and from work is rewarded by reimbursement of the costs.
• Petrol, and other car-related costs, is not reimbursed for regular travel to and from work.
• There is a company bicycle available for the use of short journeys in the town of Leiden.
• Tele-conferencing is being actively promoted in our project work to reduce the amount of air travel.

Energy use

• All PCs are switched off at night and no equipment is left in stand-by mode.
• All lights are switched off at night.
• Long life bulbs are replacing the TL tubes as they reach the end of their life.
• Green energy is being used for all our needs.
• Rooms are not heated more than necessary (i.e. 18-20°C and doors are kept closed. The heating is switched off at weekends and at other times when the rooms are not used.
• A Corporate Charter is being drawn up for company land purchase carbon compensation schemes and will be the subject of a special project.
• We purchase the most energy efficient products on the market.
• Waste e.g. paper and glass is separated for re-cycling purposes.

Awareness raising

• Whilst we recognise that lifestyle is a personal choice, staff members are all encouraged to implement the above measures at home in their daily lives.
• We raise awareness on these issues as a basis for all or work.
• We inform the EU of our activities to act as example to reduce travel in other EU-sponsored projects.

We believe that, in promoting greater energy efficiency and making a real attempt to reduce our CO₂ emissions, we are also creating a healthier work-place which will promote a healthy workforce in which illness-related absence will be kept below x workdays/employee/year.