The web page https://www.una-climateandoceans.org/climate-action-platform offers a wealth of information and down to earth climate action advice at global and local levels.

It contains interactive maps and charts where, for example, you can select a country or continent to show their share of primary energy from renewable sources or energy use per person.

It also contains a lot of links to useful websites covering many different categories including Renewable energy (with links and advice), Sustainability, Carbon Removal, Local Action, Travel and Transport, Food Choices etc.

Teams were asked to provide evidence of efforts in 11 categories. Two points are available for each category as well as two bonus points, making a maximum of 24 points.

Tottenham and Liverpool came joint-top of the 2021 Green League. Tottenham Hotspur players travel to matches on coaches powered by biofuel, reducing travel emissions by more than 80%. Leeds and Newcastle were bottom of the list.

Teams from the Central Region were placed 10th (Leicester City), 12th (Aston Villa) and 18th (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

The English Premier League clubs ought to be applauded for making their performances known. It will be interesting to discover what other sports are doing in this respect.

The latest list of team rankings and the criteria used to judge them can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60196764

1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
   35 sports in Strettons serve people to learn and practice life skills, make friends, develop talents and earn a living. Sport initiatives raise funds for poverty programmes. Sport develops teamwork skills to support job readiness.
2. End hunger achieve food security & improved nutrition & promote sustainable agriculture.
   Stretton sports, assisted by nutrition from local produce, can benefit families to enjoy balanced diets for progress at school and work. Sport can raise awareness on food waste and create educational initiatives to change behaviours.
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
   Sport and play activities on Russells Meadow, Leisure Centre, Schools and Cardingmill Valley,  play key roles in health. All encourage active lifestyles, mental well-being & friendships. Mayfair encourages individuals of all ages to adopt active lifestyles.
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
   Church Stretton sports-based activities offer a platform for learning in life, nurturing spirit, forming friendships, developing skills and accessing knowledge. Sport can improve learning outcomes by fostering achievement in education including U3A Church Stretton.
5. Achieve gender equality and empower women and girls.
   Equality and friendships amongst females and males in the Strettons through sporting activity can empower community to ‘raise its game’. Traditional sports, exclusively male in Strettons (e.g. rugby & cricket) now welcome females.
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
   Water bottling plant and National Trust in Cardingmill Valley can be effective learning resources for disseminating information on water and water sanitation. Water management standards in our new sports pavilion on Russells Meadow should be an exemplar.
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
   Local sporting activities provide a platform for winning respect, friendships and nurturing teamwork needed to engender clean energy and support Stretton Climate Care aims. Sports facilities and events can contribute to targets for renewable & clean energy.
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
   Prospects in Stretton are enhanced for people on demonstration of sporting  and cultural achievements requiring leadership, skills and teamwork that are transferable and contribute to economic and sustainable growth.
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
   Resilience & business needs benefit from sport-based initiatives in capacity-building, creating jobs, economic, social and environmental sustainable development. Sport is recognised as a cost-effective means to promote growth.
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
    Development of sport in communities like Church Stretton can help to reduce gaps between local & other less fortunate communities. A positive attitude to sport make it a suitable tool for sharing and tackling inequality. Sport showcases ability.
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
    Inclusion in sport is one of our main targets in Community Games. Accessible sports facilities contribute to advancement of this goal and can provide examples of best practice, such as the Longmynd Archers, for other market towns
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
    Incorporation of a sustainable development framework for sporting clubs can help with a community approach. A U3A Church Stretton Interest Group, together with 10 local voluntary organisations, has recently produced a framework for application.
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
    Sport and leisure activities in Stretton can incorporate elements of raising awareness and knowledge of environmental sustainability. Best practice example is Stretton Climate Care – Sustainable Strettons initiative.
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
    Shropshire is the largest landlocked county in UK. However, people can learn the sport of swimming and water polo in the local pool, compete in swimming events and learn life-saving techniques to prevent drownings.
15. Protect, restore & promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt & reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
    NT Cardingmill Valley offers education and advocacy for preservation of terrestrial ecosystems. Outdoor sport can incorporate safeguards and activities for promoting sustainable and environmentally respectful use of valued terrestrial resources.
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
    Community Games help to strengthen partnerships between sport & leisure organisations, reunite divided communities and promote mutual understanding. Local exemplars for sustainable development are the Scouts and Guides.
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
    Sport serves as a vehicle for translating development objectives into reality. Local examples include Rotary Club where sporting investments are made over and overseen by a specific committee with an official in a leadership role.

UNA Central has as one of its main aims SDG 17: Building Partnerships. Why?

Because we are committed to working with all concerned parties to support the achievement of the all the SDGs and in particular SDG 13: Climate Action.

We want to work with partners in central England to help them promote and further their work and so help the world cope with the climate emergency we are currently facing and failing to tackle adequately.

Generally, UNA Central Region will aim to:

Find and help to satisfy the wants and needs of UNA branches and groups within the region. 

Build upon Central Region’s past achievements and contribute to a vision of a safer, fairer, and more sustainable world.

Pay particular attention to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals especially SDG 13: Climate Change and SDG 17: Building Partnerships.

Support and amplify the work and power of branches, of UNA groups and of regional grassroots changemakers within the Central Region.

Assist potential partners in building movements for holistic transformation of the United Nations and of ourselves in the Central Region.

Convene meetings of key players from branches and potential partners to promote their aims and help find solutions to their problems.

With regard to UNA UK, UNA Central Region will aim to:

Live the values of UNA UK: Boldness, Accountability, Intersectionality and Solidarity

Explain how the UN works in connecting people and organisations to UNA UK values.

Take actions to help branches have more effective communications with UNA UK.

Support UNA UK in stimulating debate and action on how to make the UN more effective, transparent, inclusive and accountable. 

With regard to Recognition, UNA Central Region will aim to:

Recognise and help develop undiscovered talent within UNA branch membership.

Identify and encourage potential UNA members within grassroots changemakers. 

Create and publicise various forms of recognition to deserving members, partners, groups, and communities for their contribution to the UNA vision, mission and values. This recognition will serve as a basis for spreading best practices, for the recruitment of new members and for retention of existing members.

Create an annual summary of recognised achievements.

Use recognition to develop and strengthen existing links with partners over time.

Inform UNA UK about recognitions for consideration in its strategic planning process. 

Regarding Communications, UNA Central Region will aim to: 

Develop websites and other means of communication to help branches with their communication needs and develop their own communication capacity. 

Facilitate the communication between branches so they can share good practice and projects, and develop new projects on a region-wide basis.

Take advantage of all channels and means of communication including social and news media.

Operate an accessible and transparent communication style.

Regarding Leadership succession planning , UNA Central Region will aim to: 

Be aware that leadership succession planning is essential for the sustainable development of the Central Region in a fast-changing world. 

Identify and engage with potential future Central Region leaders.

Encourage teamwork in all aspects of work rather than rely too much on individuals. 

Alex Williams – Honorary Secretary
Barrie Oxtoby – Joint Chair
Philip Brown – Joint Chair
Reece Edmends – Honorary Treasurer
William Judd – Honorary President

2024 Committee

Philip Brown – Joint Chair
Philip Brown – Joint Chair
Barrie Oxtoby – Development Lead

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