Partner Article

Power in your hands

As research shows that the public see clean energy as top issue of our time and are frustrated by speed of change, a new initiative invites people to take power into their own hands.

New research from Collectively.org reveals that two thirds of people believe clean energy is a top priority of our time, yet the same number feel powerless to help - driving anger in one in three. Responding to this public mood, a new initiative is launching today inviting people to connect directly with organisations and brands they care about to deliver clean energy.

Findings revealed public concern about the impacts of a reliance on dirty energy, with one in three worried that climate change would bring war and almost a fifth concerned about exacerbating the refugee crisis. There is also a frustration with the pace of change, with nine in ten feeling the negotiations at COP21 can not deliver a clean energy future fast enough. Eight in ten people felt that more collaboration from businesses around the world is needed.

Collectively - an organisation that brings together millennial voices with 30 of the world’s biggest brands and influential change-makers to inspire sustainable living - has launched a new digital initiative. The ‘We Got Power’ tool aggregates and amplifies public demand for clean energy and encourages the extended Collectively network of brands and organisations to match it with commitments. Collectively helps organisations make a commitment suitable to their size and structure, directing them to one of the many initiatives that supports organisations to go clean. Collectively is inviting people of all ages to get involved, though research found that the millennial generation, aged 24-35, felt most empowered to create a clean energy future themselves.

Will Gardner, CEO of Collectively, says “Collectively is all about people, brands, and change agents coming together to make sustainable living the new normal. The We Got Power tool, where you can push a ’power’ button to add your voice, is a simple way for all the people who want clean energy to let our brand partners know about it. Together we can inspire more organisations to make more commitments to go clean. This is a true collaboration between people and brands to deliver clean energy change today.“

The research showed that two thirds of all people - and almost eight in ten 18-24s - prefer brands that have committed to a clean energy future.

M&S is a Collectively partner and Marc Bolland, the Chief Executive Officer, said: “This research shows just how important a future with clean air, clean cities and thriving nature is to consumers. It is vital that businesses take strong action now by embracing cleaner energy, those that do will become the businesses of the future. We need to build partnerships between business, universities and millennials to deliver this cleaner, better future.“

Unilever is also a Collectively partner and has been involved in We Got Power from the beginning. Unilever CMO and Collectively Chairman Keith Weed said: “At Unilever we have just committed to be carbon positive by 2030. When companies make bold commitments like this, it inspires people to take real action and together make a positive impact. The ’We Got Power’ campaign is important because it directly connects people everywhere with the actions of organisations they care about’.

Collectively’s We Got Power tool can be found at collectively.org/wegotpower. Click the ‘Power’ button to show your demand and Collectively will aggregate and amplify your voice, encouraging organisations to respond with commitments.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Louisa Tribe .