MEMBERSHIP SECTOR

Ahead of, during and post COP28, Climate Action for Associations (CAFA) calls on the Membership Sector to acknowledge the crucial role they play in addressing climate action and to showcase leadership on climate advocacy.

 

As an accelerator of the UN Climate Champions'-led Race to Zero campaign, CAFA encourages all membership organisations to:

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Step up to the climate challenge and adopt ambitious climate leadership, and influence and accelerate the sectors, professions, systems and communities you represent to reach net zero faster.

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Scene Setting

 

Business and industry hold the key to climate action and change. Yet, according to Influence Map only 20% of the 100 most influential industry associations are engaging in positive climate policy engagement. A recent survey by CAFA also showed that less than 30% of membership organisations are proactively taking action internally and rolling out some form of support to members. 

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In 2015, the Paris Agreement was signed which was a global commitment by countries to limit global warming to 1.5ºC. ​We are exactly halfway between the agreement made in Paris in 2015 and the 2030 goal, which means we need to move faster and drive more ambitious action to change.

 

For the membership sector, this means stepping up to the climate challenge and adopt ambitious climate leadership, and influence and accelerate the sectors, professions, systems and communities you represent to reach net zero faster. CAFA has done this in part by adopting the ISO Net Zero Guidelines and creating a certified net zero transition programme for membership organisations that aligns to the Guidelines’ principles.  

 

Membership organisations hold immense reach, influence and crucial relationships with members, business, industry, policymakers and governments.  Membership organisations also sit as a critical lynchpin driving best practice, sharing guidance, development of skills, leading industry change and collecting and analysing data to drive change within the industry and/or profession you represent. 

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The science is clear that we need to urgently cut emissions, so it’s crucial that influential and well-connected industry associations, professional bodies and other representative membership organisations do not hold back progress but step up and embrace the climate leadership role that is required to limit warming to 1.5 ºC.

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Make the Global Membership Sector Climate Commitment 

 

In the lead up to and beyond COP28, CAFA are calling out the role of the membership sector, in securing a just, net zero transition to 1.5ºC and ask every membership organisation, though Trade Associations and Professional Bodies in particular to Sign-Up to the Climate Action for Associations (CAFA) Global Membership Sector Climate Commitment by June 2024.

 

The following simple principles of climate commitment have been developed, regardless of the size or type of membership organisation you are.​

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1. Take Climate Leadership: Lead by example, put plans in place to measure, report and reduce your own emissions

2. Tracking Progress: Gather insight and data into your memberships needs, impact and progress

3. Integrate Into Strategy: Embed climate action into your business and member engagement strategies

4. Align Policy & Advocacy: Align policy, advocacy and stakeholder engagement with pro climate, in the context of an inclusive, just transition

5. Develop & Educate: Embed climate action and sustainability awareness and skills into your CPD, training, qualifications and standards.

6. Provide Support:  Provide your members with information, resources and solutions that enable them to accelerate action.

 

CAFA asks all membership organisations, including Trade Associations and Professional Bodies, to Sign-Up to the Global Membership Sector Climate Action Commitment before COP28, and to work towards embedding the following 6 simple, fundamental principles by June 2024.

 

Sign-Up to the CAFA Global Membership Sector Commitment now.