Women in co‑operatives: making a difference to the environment
Women in co‑operatives are making a real difference when it comes to businesses tackling environmental issues and, in celebration of International Women's Day on 8 March 2009, we have interviewed a number of female co‑operators to highlight the leading role that women are playing in environmentally driven co‑operatives.
Ethics Girls, for example, is working towards a multi stakeholder co‑operative structure to build an active online network of women who are committed to and interested in ethical and green shopping. "We can't ignore climate change or environmental issues, so I think we should embrace the opportunities that come from these changes rather than trying to ignore them," says Sam Roger of Ethics Girls. "I think the opportunities that will come out of these changes are very exciting and co‑operatives are well placed to take up some of the market."
For Jane Stables, a member of Cycle Training UK worker co‑operative in London, which promotes cycling as a form of transport, the wider implications of shifting transport habits with regard to the environment and climate change are high on her agenda, but she feels that these are a fortunate by-product of working in a co‑operative rather than the main objective. "I actually never thought 'I want to work for an organisation that benefits the environment' rather, I thought that I wanted to work for an organisation that empowered individuals and improved communities."
Amy Sanders of Dynamix training co‑operative in Swansea explains how working in a co‑operative enables women to make an environmental impact. "Even when environmental issues are not the primary aim of our training, our own environmental impact on the world is a primary focus in our decision-making because, as a co‑operative, we hold our values and principles dear to us."
In fact, the co‑operative structure is one of the main benefits of working in a co‑operative for many women. Alison Holland of BrightKidz co‑operative in Kettering, which promotes walk to school schemes and high visibility clothing for children, explains: "Being a co‑operative gives us the freedom to trade as a community organisation, which feels better to us than running a private business. I didn't want a 'them and us' feeling amongst staff and as our prime motivation is our social goals the co‑operative model fits us well."
Linda Bratcher of Total Coverage graphic design co‑operative in Southampton says: "In a co‑operative you have to look at your position from both an employee's and an employer's perspective. The best decision for the business may not be the best option for the employee and vice versa. Being a member of a co‑operative has made me push myself much further than in other jobs and when something goes really well I can give myself a pat on the back and be very proud, as I know I have been responsible for it happening."
Read the full interviews here (pdf).
This work builds upon our other initiatives, such as Women in Business: The Co‑operative Option, a DTI funded project to promote the benefits of the co‑operative business model to women, and the Carbon Challenge, a project supported by The Carbon Trust to assists co‑operatives to take action to reduce carbon emissions.