UK ESG Watch - Street-Level Social Support

UK ESG Watch - Street-Level Social Support

The street-level commercial resources of the U.K. are leveraged to provide better social support to local communities.

1.  Community Toilet Scheme (CTS)

Local businesses, e.g. McDonald's, are invited to join the Scheme for providing toilet facilities to the general public.  The participants will gain a free publicity/promotion and receive a financial contribution from the government in exchange for providing the public with clean, safe accessible toilet facilities (without making a purchase).  Details, please see:

https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/streets/clean-streets/community-toilet-scheme-cts

2. Ask for Angela

The safety initiative ‘Ask for Angela’ is rolled out to bars, clubs and other licensed businesses across London.  People who feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened can discreetly seek help by approaching venue staff and asking them for ‘Angela’. This code-phrase will indicate to staff that they require help with their situation and a trained member of staff will then look to support and assist them. This might be through reuniting them with a friend, seeing them in a taxi, or by calling venue security and/or the police. Details please see:

https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/about-us/about-the-met/campaigns/ask-for-angela/

3. Safe Spaces

HSBC UK Safe Spaces are available during opening hours in all branch locations in the U.K., with dedicated areas and confidential support available for all individuals, whether they are a customer of the bank or not., The bank provides access to a confidential phone line to contact a support service or talk to a friend or family member.  Details please see:

https://www.about.hsbc.co.uk/news-and-media/hsbc-uk-sees-winter-increase-in-domestic-abuse-victims-using-branch-safe-spaces

Mutual support in our community is important and the best practice for inclusiveness.  The collaboration between commercial sectors, governments and NGOs can lead to a win-win result.

Mapping dreams in the Amazon: the SDGs in the world’s largest rainforest

The Amazon rainforest, also known as the “lungs of our planet”, plays an incredibly significant role in the functioning of the world’s ecosystem. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (the SDGs), have been woven into all aspects of life, from environmental education to refined philosophies of world-renowned corporations.

I had the opportunity to work with the Foundation for Amazon Sustainability (FAS) in different Amazonian communities in Brazil, performing needs analysis to map a sustainable, thriving future for the rainforest. We had a common goal in mind: to protect those who keep the rainforest alive, and to preserve the existing resources and systems in place that have allowed these communities to thrive for centuries. Climate change is happening at an unimaginable rate, heavily affecting those who are the most vulnerable and geographically isolated from aid. By spending time in the communities and gaining insight into their way of life, it is clear that community members are entrusting their local knowledge of the rainforest to fight natural disasters, but rates and severity of climate change impacts have rapidly intensified, and such knowledge that have been passed on and used for generations, are slowly becoming redundant, and quite frankly, futile. However, with the help from FAS, the voices of the community members have been heard and we have successfully implemented various schemes to help communities thrive. These schemes are based on the SDGs, using existing resources to build infrastructure and systems that are sustainable yet durable.

I am sure that all of you have studied the Amazon to some extent, whether as a case study, or knowing it as a fun fact for being the world’s second-longest river. The Amazon holds a certain familiarity from all the books I’ve read, but seeing it with my own eyes means so much more. FAS, and many other organisations are continually doing magnificent work, keeping the rainforest and those who protect it alive, and teaching others what it means to protect and cherish the land that provides us with all we have. So, I urge you all, to continue delving deep into ESG and environmental education, to look past the order of the SDGs but how such goals can be implemented in societies to better lives and the planet.

Author: Ms. Charlotte Lai, ICSD Youth Ambassador

U.K. ESG Watch: Transparency on Construction sector in the U.K.

U.K. ESG Watch: Transparency on Construction sector in the U.K.

ICSD U.K. would like to share some best practices in the U.K. construction sector:

From the construction sites, citizens can see:

1. Regular Community Newsletter - to report the recent completed & ongoing activities and the works in the next 2 months.

2. Disclosure of "Non-Hazardous Soft Strip Waste" management.

3. Monthly disclosure of "Noise, Dust and Vibration Monitoring Data Summary".

4. Registered with "Considerate Constructors Scheme" and the performance is regularly monitored and certified.

What's more? Community friendly facilities like "Bike Repair Stations" and "Pet Hydration Stations" are set up outside the construction sites

Attached please see the photos of the above.

Transparency is always the best ESG practice!