This project will examine the activities and contributions of a broad range of environmental organisations, as well as the extent to which wider elements of the third sector are responding to environmental challenges, in particular climate change.

The 3 year work stream will focus on:

1. Mapping the environmental third sector
The extent and contribution of environmental third sector organisations (TSOs); the policy context and sector infrastructure within which environmental TSOs operate

2. Mainstreaming the environment
The variety, take-up and influence of environmental performance tools and techniques; the extent to which the mission, policies and programmes of TSOs are affected by the climate change agenda.

3. Promoting sustainable living
The form and effectiveness of practical interventions developed by TSOs to promote sustainable practices by individuals, households and organisations.

Key questions

What do we know about the environment third sector?
- What is the size and scope of the sector within the UK? What issues does it focus on? How many members do environmental TSOs have? How is the environmental third sector financed? How does the broader policy and sector infrastructure influence environmental TSOs?
How is the third sector as a whole developing environmental practices?
- How are third sector organisations reducing their environmental footprint? How are third sector organisations measuring their environmental impact, with which tools, and why? How are TSOs changing to mainstream the environment, and what can we learn from this?
How are third sector organisations promoting pro-environmental projects?
- How are TSOs promoting (and innovating) pro-environmental behaviour? How successful are TSOs at changing the behaviours of individuals, households and organisations and what are the reasons for this? What are the limits, and limiters, of third sector pro-environmental interventions? How can we learn from the environmental third sector in developing pro-environmental behaviour?

Current work
The research programme has commenced with a comprehensive literature review that is exploring the environment and the Third Sector. It is anticipated that this will have a number of outputs including a series of working papers to be developed for academic peer review, from which practitioner information guides will be produced and published on this website. An appropriate methodology is currently being developed. This is being informed by the literature review, and will be enhanced by an initial period of pilot work.

Next steps
The substantive fieldwork will commence in spring 2010. Further details will follow soon.

Contacts
Dr Rebecca Edwards - lead contact
Professor Graham Smith
Dr Milena Büchs