The UK government has announced the appointment of its first ‘One Step Greener’ climate ambassadors and launched a nationwide search for members of the public deemed ‘everyday climate leaders’.
It comes just 100 days ahead of the UN climate change summit, COP26. Over that time, the 13 new ambassadors will encourage the country to follow in their green footsteps and play their part in tackling climate change.
The first ‘One Step Greener’ ambassadors include:
- Dame Jackie Daniel (NHS);
- Hugo Chambers (Sainsbury’s);
- Toby McCartney (MacRebur);
- Jasmine Allen (SSE);
- Alice Powell (Envision Virgin Racing);
- Sara Thomson (The Leith Collective);
- James Lloyd-Jones (Jones Food Company);
- Emer Rafferty (youth environmentalist);
- Ade Adepitan (Paralympic medalist and TV presenter);
- Max La Manna (low-waste chef);
- Rob Thompson (Odyssey Innovation);
- Ash Dykes (adventurer and extreme athlete); and
- Buffy Buroughs (Green Gathering Festival).
However, the government is also looking to the public to nominate ‘everyday climate leaders’ to be part of the 26 ‘One Step Greener’ Ambassadors who will symbolise the best in UK climate leadership and whose stories will be showcased at the summit in November.
World leaders will meet in Glasgow with the aim of agreeing on how to tackle the urgent threat of global climate change.
Everyday climate leaders
The ‘One Step Greener’ Ambassadors will come from all walks of life in their pursuit of a greener future, as they come together with government, businesses, community groups, schools and citizens in taking steps to tackle climate change.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “The UK has made huge strides towards a greener future, with new records in renewable energy and new targets for slashing emissions. But there are also thousands of people across the country doing their bit too, from embarking on green careers and building sustainable businesses to reducing their use of plastic and taking part in conservation projects.
We can all do our bit to help tackle climate change. That’s why we’re challenging everyone to go one step greener in the next 100 days and win the chance to become an ambassador ahead of COP26 in Glasgow this November.”
COP26 president-designate Alok Sharma added: “In my many meetings with ministers and governments around the world we discuss the big changes which urgently need to be made to tackle climate change. Setting ambitious emissions reductions targets, supporting developing nations, and protecting nature are all vital if we are to keep temperatures from rising above 1.5C.
“But there is a role in tackling climate change for everyone, and it is heartening to see all parts of society embracing their responsibility to safeguard our precious planet, no matter how big or small a step.”
Hugo Chambers’ job at Sainsbury’s is to help reduce the impact of our food on the planet, whether that’s lowering the carbon footprint of products such as coffee or cheese or ensuring the palm oil in their products does not contribute to the deforestation of tropical forests.
Outside of work, Chamber also tries to make greener decisions where he can such as cycling to work and trying to eat a more healthy and sustainable diet.
He said: “My passion for protecting the environment is central to the work that I do, which is to help reduce the impact of our food consumption on the planet, whether that’s by helping to reduce the carbon footprint of products, or ensuring that palm oil in our products doesn’t contribute to the deforestation of tropical forests.
I hope that as a One Step Greener Ambassador, I can help inspire and encourage people up and down the country to lead healthier, more sustainable lives as the UK gets ready to host COP26 in November. Who are you going to nominate to be a One Step Greener Ambassador?”
Nominations will close on October 1, and the final 26 ‘One Step Greener’ Ambassadors will be announced on October 7, 26 days before the summit begins.
