Targets

Australian Red Cross

Signed:


Climate change is one of the greatest humanitarian challenges we are facing. Every year, Australian communities face devastating losses caused by climate-related disasters. At Australian Red Cross, we are responding to the increasing humanitarian impacts of climate change, which cut across all areas of our work

Australian Red Cross has had a formal commitment to support individuals and communities in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region to adapt to the impacts of climate change since 2009. Similarly, we have been working to limit our environmental impact since the release of our 2010 Environmental Sustainability Strategy.

Now, Australian Red Cross recommits to address the humanitarian impacts of climate change in line with the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organisations across two fronts:

  1. Australian Red Cross will step up support for climate adaptation so we can prepare individuals and communities for expected challenges under a changing climate. As part of this commitment, we will:
  • continue to respond to the detrimental health, wellbeing, and psychosocial impacts of climate change,
  • support preparedness and resilience building to ensure individuals and communities have the capacity to manage and overcome the impacts of climate change,
  • walk alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to champion their voices and emphasise their key role in climate action and adaptation,
  • respond to the intersecting vulnerabilities posed by climate change,
  • engage our volunteer base of all ages and expand opportunities for young people to have a voice and act,
  • expand our evidence base and use our influence to mobilise action, and,
  • work collaboratively with governments and partners to strengthen our contribution to local, national, and global efforts.
  1. Australian Red Cross will reduce its own environmental footprint to ensure our operations do not further contribute to climate change and environmental challenges. As part of this commitment, we will:
  • work to reach net-zero emissions by 2040 for scope 1 and 2 emissions,
  • work towards reducing our consolidated greenhouse gas emissions (for scope 1 and 2 emissions) by 15% by 2025 based on our 2018/19 baseline. This represents a 20% reduction for our Humanitarian division and a 15% reduction for our Lifeblood division,
  • work towards measuring and reducing our scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions where possible, and,
  • periodically review our environmental targets with the aim to increase ambition where possible.