If we don’t have a plan,
how will know if we are succeeding?
A movement plan starts with the existing movment, and seeks ways to strengthen the overall impact.
Truth is, a movement plan would not look like anything at all. A diverse and complex movement is not likely to follow a single plan, but we may each be able to see how our individual actions can fit into a semi-organized global effort to solve climate change.
That said, here are some ideas of the components and associated campaigns for a movement-based climate plan that could translate our common vision and goals into a key steps and milestone targets.
Again, this is just an idea. See what makes sense, and feel free to “adapt and adopt.”
A movement is built around common goals, and everyone who shares these goals is part of the movement. That includes activists, experts, organizations, politicians and governments, business leaders and companies.
Leaders lead, naturally. But if you look at the key steps and campaigns in building an unstoppable movement, there’s room for everyone to contribute.
Act locally. Act globally.
All movements are inherently social movements. It is the process of creating a deep and long-lasting social mandate to demand and empower change.
To build that social mandate, we need to frame action in terms of social benefit. One the one hand, it’s easy: stopping climate change is in our own best interests. One the other hand, to become unstoppable, we need to design solutions with social benefit in mind.
Lead groups and funders help shape the key objectives and core campaigns.
Every group can “adapt and adopt” campaigns to meet their specific goals and capabilities.
For example: a global campaign for climate leadership can be adapted by local and regional groups to target their governments and businesses.
A movement plan focuses on the key steps achieving success, including:
By looking at the key steps in the process, we can identify the actions and campaigns that can focus an entire global movement on achieving the results that will support and empower effective climate action.
Collaboration is key: between climate organizations, governments, companies, community groups. Everyone.
We share ideas, campaigns, resources, strategies. Because we are all in this together.
Truth is, it would not look like anything at all. A diverse and complex movement is not likely to follow a single plan, but we may each be able to see how our individual actions can fit into a semi-organized global effort to solve climate change.
That said, here are some ideas of the components and associated campaigns for a movement-based climate plan that could translate our common vision and goals into a key steps and milestone targets.
Again, this is just an idea. See what makes sense, and feel free to “adapt and adopt.”
Note: in this plan, the following categories are used to represent a broad and diverse climate movement.
Collaborate across our communities.
Engage, collaborate, and build capacity to take action on climate change and other priorities, Build networks: local, national and global; for all definitions of “community”; climate-specific or integrated.
WHO CAN LEAD:
Organizations, governments, businesses, networks
MOVEMENT CAMPAIGNS:
“Local Action Plans” – Promote community networks and action plans across the world tackling local priorities, including climate action.
Find common values and goals.
Crate a strong social mandate, based on common values, principles and goals, that will help shape the political and corporate commitment to climate leadership and action.
WHO CAN LEAD:
Everyone
MOVEMENT CAMPAIGNS:
“A World That Cares” – caring for each other and the planet is a common value at the heart of social well-being.
“Climate Arrows” – a visual representation of the core goals for climate action: a future that is net-zero, resilient, and better.
Make anti-climate voices irrelevant
Expose anti-climate ringleaders, organizations, companies, and campaigns.
WHO CAN LEAD:
Activists
MOVEMENT CAMPAIGNS:
“Name and Shame” – Expose anti-climate ringleaders, organizations, companies, and campaigns.
100% commitment to a net-zero target.
Encourage leadership. Every government, every company, everyone. We all need to be in.
Support the governments and companies that have adopted a net-zero target and commited to climate leaderhsip.
WHO CAN LEAD:
Lead networks for governments, businesses; lead organizations
MOVEMENT CAMPAIGNS:
“All In!” – A global to local campaign to press for 100% commitment to a net-zero target.
Ensure 100% participation. No exceptions.
Focus campaigns on the remaining governments and companies that have yet to commit to a net-zero target.
WHO CAN LEAD:
Activists
MOVEMENT CAMPAIGNS:
“All In!” – Keep the spotlight and pressure on the laggards.
Pathways are the key to finding the smoothest transition to a clean future.
Consult and collaborate to find the best ways to transform ourselves to a net-zero, resilient, and better future. Design transition pathways that are rapid, yet smooth, integrated and just.
WHO CAN LEAD:
Lead networks for governments, businesses, experts; lead organizations
MOVEMENT CAMPAIGNS:
“Climate Excellence Awards: Pathways” – International and national recognition for exellence in pathways planning.
Five-year targets help turn pathways into plans.
Set out five-year targets on the path to net-zero.
Set milestone targets for emission reductions, climate resilience, and for building the capacity for a smooth transition in key sectors.
WHO CAN LEAD:
Governments, businesses, experts, activists
MOVEMENT CAMPAIGNS:
“Our Common Goals” – Promote high level milestone targets that support the overall goals for net-zero, resilience, and a better future.
Develop climate plans to meet milestone targets for emissions, resilience, and transition.
Climate plans need to be interconnected – across government, between governments and across the economy and society.
WHO CAN LEAD:
Governments, businesses, and organizations (standards and verification)
MOVEMENT CAMPAIGNS:
“Climate Excellence Awards: Climate Plans” – Develop common criteria for excellence in climate planning and highlight the best examples at COP meetings or other events.
Leadership initiatives should spark innovation and action, leading to widespread action.
Develop the infrastructure, technology, support systems, and social infrastructure for a smooth transition to net-zero.
WHO CAN LEAD:
Governments, businesses, organizations
MOVEMENT CAMPAIGNS:
“Climate Excellence Awards: Leadership and Innovation” – Recognize leadership initiatives that have the greatest impact in sparking action.
Design solutions with social benefit.
Climate solutions should be easy, affordable, and desirable. Help people take action on climate change in ways that help them improve their lives, strenghten communities, and build a better future.
WHO CAN LEAD:
Governments, businesses, organizations.
MOVEMENT CAMPAIGNS:
“Movement-based marketing campaigns”
“Climate Excellence Awards: Results” – recognize excellence in climate action (net-zero, resilience, and integrated solutions)
Celebrate our progress and redouble our efforts.
Report on progress and share best practices and success stories.
Conduct internal and independent reviews of the results and milestone targets to determine next steps and opportunities.
WHO CAN LEAD:
Everyone
MOVEMENT CAMPAIGNS:
“Climate Excellence Awards”
Keep our eyes on the prize.
Use five-year milestone years as a global opportunity to strengthen our commitment to a net-zero, resilient and better future.
WHO CAN LEAD:
Everyone
MOVEMENT CAMPAIGNS:
“Climate Excellence Awards”
This site contains ideas you can adapt and use in your work to support climate leadership and action. All ideas and graphics are free to use under a Creative Commons 0 licence. They are ideas, nothing more. Feel free to adapt and adopt, and to suggest other ideas for a stronger climate movement.
