Environmental Impact Statement

We are currently experiencing a global climate catastrophe. Those who have the least political and economic power and the least responsibility for the changing climate are affected the most. We recognise that we, in the global north, bear the most responsibility for the climate crisis.

Amos Trust is committed to supporting sustainable local responses to the impacts of climate change. We supported work in Nicaragua for many years — as one of the countries that has already felt the greatest and harshest effects of climate breakdown.

We have now extended our geographical remit for this work to include Mexico and the whole of Central America through our Climate Fellowship programme, which aims to help communities to become more resilient in the face of climate change and to empower them to realise their rights.

We are committed to:

• platforming the young women climate activists and land defenders involved in the Climate Fellowship,
• building connections between responses to the climate crisis in the Global South and the Global North,
• listening to local communities and recognising the importance of Indigenous knowledge and of our interconnectedness with the land.

We recognise that visiting our global partners is an important part of our work; bringing people together is important as an act of solidarity, support and friendship, as well as an invaluable means for our supporters to develop their understanding and insight into the issues in a given context.

We recognise, however, that air travel is a significant contributor to climate change and that decisions to fly should not be taken lightly. We know that we have a responsibility for the carbon impact of such travel.

As such we will:

• consider the necessity of any staff trips and always consider alternatives, e.g. video conferencing, using local people for monitoring visits,
• avoid taking internal flights within the UK,
• where possible, bring partners to the UK to tell their stories to a wider audience, or if suitable, set up webinars with partner projects,
• hold clear details of the carbon cost of Amos’ travel. *

* While we recognise that there are significant problems with the idea of carbon offsetting, we seek to provide an option for offsetting through the climate change adaptations that we undertake with our Climate Fellows and through a tree-planting programme in Palestine

If you have any questions or would like some more information, please get in touch.