Role Of Environmental Organizations Research Articles

Grassroots vs. greenhouse: the role of environmental organizations in reducing carbon emissions

Grassroots vs. greenhouse: the role of environmental organizations in reducing carbon emissions

Grassroots vs. Greenhouse: The role of Environmental Organizations in reducing Carbon Emissions

Grassroots vs. Greenhouse: The role of Environmental Organizations in reducing Carbon Emissions

The role of environmental organisations on urban transformation: The case of waste management in Esporles (Mallorca)

Abstract The study presented in this paper explores and examines the role of grassroots environmental organisations in promoting schemes aimed at reducing the impact of waste production at a local level. Focusing on the Spanish municipality of Esporles, in the Balearic island of Mallorca, the authors investigate how participatory forums can increase involvement and engagement among residents in the implementation of waste management policies. Esporles introduced and implemented the first unit-pricing (UP) scheme in Spain, making the municipality a countrywide icon of environmental-friendly urban transformation. Due to its success, the scheme quickly became a model for other Spanish municipalities with regard to designing and developing local waste management solutions. Findings from this study demonstrate how increasing participation and involvement of local residents in public consultations and debates can effectively support the design and implementation of more sustainable waste management policies. In addition, findings illustrate how local authorities can empower residents in transforming urban environment through changing their behaviours and practices towards waste management. The role of grassroots environmental organisations appears important with regard to developing innovative instruments and delivering effective environmental policies to address waste management at a local level, and to achieve sustainable urban transformation.

The role of environmental organisations in supporting carbon reduction: comparing direct and indirect involvement

Environmental third-sector organisations (EOs) aim to bring about social change by influencing not only policy making but also citizens’ attitudes and behaviours directly. While there is some evidence that direct involvement in environmental initiatives can encourage carbon-reducing behaviours, it is often believed that less direct forms of engagement are less effective in supporting behaviour change. This article provides a first direct comparison of associations between direct and indirect involvement with EOs and carbon-reducing behaviours, based on a representative UK survey. Results show that while direct involvement is more strongly associated with carbon-reducing behaviours than indirect involvement, both associations remain significant in the combined model. However, this only applies to more affluent respondents and not to those who, due to social disadvantage, do not participate in high-carbon activities. This suggests that EOs may further behaviour change through broader outreach work, especially among better-situated groups.