My charity is part of a global organization, and our staff and volunteers travel a lot. Should we be buying carbon offsets or doing something else to make up for the flying, in particular?
A charity should use all its resources toward its mission and charitable objects. You have to decide if this cost serves your mission, and if it is a wise use of resources. Since most charities are involved in improving the quality of life in their communities, the link to mission will be easy for many organizations. However, there may be other, more cost-effective ways, to green your nonprofit and help the environment.
For example, you should examine your travel to ensure you are fully considering the environment impact. Every individual and every organization throughout the world needs to do that. If we destroy the ability of our planet to support human life, how much will our health, social services, arts, recreation or almost any other mission matter?
Here is what Green Nonprofits, an organization that educates and encourages nonprofits and NGOs to become greener, suggests:
- Reduce solid waste disposal and promote recycling;
- Become energy and water efficient;
- Purchase products that are less harmful to human health and the environment;
- Minimize pollution contributions to the environment;
- Help improve indoor air quality and reduce smog formation; and
- Educate your supporters, employees, and other nonprofits/NGOs about green practices.
So how does this apply to travel?
1. Choose environmentally friendly suppliers
Choose transportation and accommodation providers who are “best of sector” for their environmental practices. Many large companies now publish sustainability reports on their websites, or include environmental efforts in their annual corporate (social) responsibility publications. Even among airlines available to you, you may find differences by doing this research, and you can then reward the best with your business.
Many of the mainstream hotel chains are now looking to appear environmentally friendly as a marketing edge; they have learned that customers care. Some special places are now available for your events, such as board retreats – check out Harmony Dawn and Cedar Glen in Ontario. I am sure there are others across the country. Remember that lovely rural retreat locations tend to be far from easy transit, so car pools are essential.
As well, many cities now have restaurants specializing in local and organic foods. Check for those, and for environmentally friendly caterers.
2. Choose the most energy-efficient means available to you
Perhaps for your travels within Canada, your staff and volunteers could more often walk, bicycle, use public transit, take the train or carpool. Once on the ground at an international destination, these choices may also be available and perhaps others unique to your destination. If you must drive, choose the best mileage vehicle that meets the needs of your group.
Even better, consider whether the purpose of the trip could be accomplished by teleconference call, webinar or other means. Everyone could then stay home with their families, or just travel to a nearby conference centre. Hold your world conference in three locations linked by video conferencing, so that everyone can just travel to the nearest site, provided such arrangements are not too expensive compared to having everyone come to one conference location. Socialize by blogs, telephone and virtual parties.
3. Minimize pollution and waste
Always remember to have leftover food from catered events offered to a charity like Second Harvest rather than thrown away. Use a water cooler and mugs when you can, and try to find recycling for paper, cans, bottles, and other debris. Exchange documents through the Internet, rewritable CDs or USB drives, not by printing. Use recycled paper and print two-sided when you must print for your meetings and presentations.
As well, lighten your luggage and the airplane will use less fuel! Do you really need three pairs of shoes and six books for a two-day trip? Perhaps you could instead carry supplies needed by the developing country you are headed to.
4. Educate your colleagues
Explain why you choose the travel method, accommodation and other suppliers you do, so others can use the same reasoning. Ask questions about the environment so suppliers know you care – even some golf courses have gone green! Walk away from poor environmental practices when you can; that sends a very strong message. Get policies approved so that everyone traveling for the organization has to consider the environment when traveling.
In summary, every charity should seek to improve its environmental practices. Being green helps serve ALL charitable missions. How you become greener depends on the details of your charity’s work and your travel situation. There are many, many possible actions in addition to those I have mentioned above.
Since 1992, Jane Garthson has dedicated her consulting and training business to creating better futures for our communities and organizations through values-based leadership. She is a respected international voice on governance, strategic thinking and ethics. Jane can be reached at jane@garthsonleadership.ca.
Because nonprofit organizations are formed to do good does not mean they are always good in their own practices. Send us your ethical questions dealing with volunteers, staff, clients, donors, funders, sponsors, and more. Please identify yourself and your organization so we know the questions come from within the sector. No identifying information will appear in this column.
To submit a dilemma for a future column, or to comment on a previous one, please contact editor@charityvillage.com. For paid professional advice about an urgent or complex situation, contact Jane directly.
Advice and recommendations are based on limited information provided and should be used as a guideline only. Neither the author nor CharityVillage.com make any warranty, express or implied, or assume any legal liability for accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information provided in whole or in part within this article.
