27 September 2019

Climate Crisis And Our Commitment To Do More

The world is demanding climate action and so are we

Sustainability and impact are interwoven into the Impact Hub network’s DNA. From the designs of our workspaces to our communities’ recycling habits, we’ve taken measures to ensure sustainability is ingrained in our network from day one. We embed eco-friendly approaches into every event we organize, and now we are taking a more concrete and collective stand for the planet. 

During our European Gathering on September 19 to 21 held at Impact Hub Odessa, Ukraine, 29 Impact Hubs from 19 European countries united and agreed that we need to make a more solid commitment to tackle the Climate Crisis. 

74 Makers from 29 Impact Hubs around Europe gather at the European Gathering in Odessa, Ukraine.

The climate strike was a hot topic

For the past year, young people around the world have been leading strikes to demand that our leaders make our climate their number one priority.

With an extinction rate around 1,000 times faster than what is ‘normally’ expected and with water scarcity set to displace up to 700 million people by 2030, there is no time to lose.

The Impact Hub community is concerned about the future of our planet and the people on it. The strike happening back in our home cities could not be kept out of the conversation, and it was a highly discussed topic in Odessa. We need to do more. The planet is in crisis and small actions are not enough. We are ready to make a stronger stand for the planet.

That’s why we are walking out of our workplaces and homes to join young climate strikers on the streets to  demand an end to the age of fossil fuels. Impact Hubs in Amsterdam, Belo Horizonte, Berlin, Budapest, Curitiba, Donostia, Leipzig, London, Istanbul, Manaus, Montreal, Stockholm, Torino, Vienna are just some of the examples that are joining the local strikes. 

 

People coming to the street for the Climate Strike in Stockholm.

Impact Hub members taking to the street to join forces during the Climate Strike.

The Power of personal Connection

While events like this one provides our changemakers with a chance to debate challenges, share opportunities and exchange best practices, it also presents an opportunity to simply connect: to build trust, share goals and form friendships.

We are aware of the environmental implications that come with having a large group commute to one place, and believe we all must make conscious efforts to offset our climatic impact in light of journeying to meet in person.

 

Members of the Impact Hub Global Network meeting and connecting with each other.

Our environmental Impact

We acknowledged the environmental impact we had when we travelled to meet. So we chose to actively do something about it. During the European Gathering in Odessa, to offset our emissions, we travelled locally by-foot where possible and chose local catering options as well as consciously worked to have one full #zerowasteday.

 

Global Impact Hub Network exchanging insights and best practices on the social sector.

The Climate Crisis Demands Our Urgent Action

But this was not enough. We realized we needed to commit to concrete actions, and understand that the more we do together, the higher the impact we can have collectively. As a network of 16,000+ that is spread across 5regions and present in more than 55 countries, we understand the responsibility that comes with it. Our actions can make a positive difference and reach millions.

This is why we co-authored and co-own the ‘Global Impact Hub Climate Crisis Commitment’. We are looking forward to standing together and supporting one another to provide the tools and support to help entrepreneurs have the biggest impact they can. We intend to work internally to make our pledge come to life, and sharing the outcomes for other networks to join. Take a look at what we believe in. 

 

The moment Impact Hub Network members created the ‘Global Impact Hub Climate Change Commitment. 23 Impact Hubs and counting have already signed.

What we believe in:

  • We put the planet first. We believe in the power of entrepreneurship to do good and work for a more just and sustainable world by enabling entrepreneurs to achieve impact at scale.
  • We collaborate. We believe in the power of collaboration in solving the biggest challenges of our time. That’s why we partner with leading organizations like WWF, Climate-KIC, Dopper, the European Commission, and the Interamerican Development Bank among others, from a variety of sectors, to implement programs and amplify our members’ impact.
  • We inspire, connect and enable impact entrepreneurs. To achieve impact at scale, it is necessary to inspire, connect, and engage a critical mass of people by providing them with valuable knowledge, resources, and access to an engaged and like-minded community.
  • We map the impact of our network. We use the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a lens through which to view our impact in the world.

We commit to:

This is the ‘Global Impact Hub Climate Crisis Commitment’

Impact Hubs that have committed 

And counting. Join us in taking a stand for the planet. 

And if you want to know more about how we support changemakers in creating impact, access bepartofthechange.www.old.impacthub.net. 

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