In September 2020, Rotary International released a policy statement on their new 7th Area of Focus: Protecting the Environment. This action cements the responsibility of Rotary International and each Rotary club around the world to recognize their role in the climate crisis and strive to help local organizations, communities, and individuals to make positive strides. The RCAT Network seeks to guide Rotary clubs in pursuing this goal.

ENVIRONMENT AREA OF FOCUS POLICY STATEMENT
Rotary International Board – September 2020

Preamble:

We are committed to supporting activities that strengthen the conservation and protection of natural resources, advance ecological sustainability, and foster harmony between communities and the environment. We empower communities to access grants and other resources, embrace local solutions, and spur innovation in an effort to address the causes and reduce the effects of climate change and environmental degradation.

Area of Focus Statement of Purpose, Goals, and Parameters for Eligibility

The Rotary Foundation enables Rotary members to protect, preserve, and conserve the environment by:

1.     Protecting and restoring land, coastal, marine, and freshwater resources

  1. Protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems and improving their resiliency through initiatives such as promoting reforestation, preventing deforestation, planting native vegetation, restoring habitats, and removing invasive plant and animal species
  2. Preserving biodiversity by protecting and restoring habitats, conserving native species, removing invasive plant and animal species, conserving and protecting endangered species, and preventing poaching and the illegal wildlife trade
  3. Supporting strategies and targeted initiatives to improve aquifer and groundwater recharging, water conservation, water quality, sanitation, and watershed management (adhering to the policy statements and guidelines for the water, sanitation, and hygiene area of focus)
  4. Protecting and restoring coastal, marine, and freshwater ecosystems through initiatives such as habitat restoration, protecting and propagating native plant and animal species, removing invasive plant and animal species, addressing overfishing, pollution, coastal erosion and ocean acidification

2.     Enhancing the capacity of communities and local governments to support natural resource management and conservation

  1. Developing peacebuilding and conflict prevention initiatives related to the management and use of natural resources (adhering to the policy statements and guidelines for the peacebuilding and conflict prevention area of focus)
  2. Mitigating human-wildlife conflict through ecologically sound and peaceful resolutions
  3. Training and educating communities in conservation and resource management to preserve, protect, and sustainably use natural resources

3.    Supporting agroecology and sustainable agriculture, fishing, and aquaculture practices to improve ecological health

  1. Creating awareness of and supporting ecologically viable agriculture through activities such as regenerative agriculture, conservation agriculture, managed grazing, silvopasture, and tree intercropping
  2. Supporting sustainable fisheries and ecologically sound aquaculture (adhering to the policy statements and guidelines for the community economic development area of focus)
  3. Promoting the use of traditional and Indigenous knowledge in agricultural, land, ocean, and natural resource management practices
  4. Improving food security through sustainable agricultural, aquacultural, and fishing methods, enhanced local food production and consumption, reduction of food waste, and equitable access to high-quality food

4.     Addressing the causes of climate change and climate disruption and supporting solutions to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases

  1. Providing access to locally sourced, renewable energy, including solar, methane-capture, and small-scale wind and hydropower systems, as part of holistic interventions to mitigate climate change and disruption
  2. Providing clean-cooking technologies as part of a holistic approach to reduce or eliminate the burning of biomass and fossil fuels that results in deforestation, degraded land, or increased air pollution
  3. Supporting the transition to sustainable, energy- efficient transportation modes through holistic urban and regional planning, education, or infrastructure changes

5.     Strengthening the resilience of ecosystems and communities affected by climate change and climate disruption

  1. Supporting adaptation and resiliency strategies for ecosystems and communities affected by climate-related events, with an emphasis on vulnerable segments of the population

6.     Supporting education to promote behaviors that protect the environment

  1. Supporting environmental education programming in schools that aligns with local government curriculum (adhering to the policy statements and guidelines for the basic education and literacy area of focus)
  2. Promoting community-based environmental education, environmental awareness and advocacy initiatives, and strategies to facilitate to facilitate engagement and behavior change to support environmentally sustainable living, environmental protection, and sustainable development

7.     Advocating for the sustainable consumption of products and the environmentally sound management of byproducts to build a more resource-efficient economy

  1. Supporting community planning efforts to strengthen circular economies through com- posting, recycling, upcycling, and repurposing programs (for solid waste management projects, adhering to the policy statements and guidelines for the water, sanitation, and hygiene area of focus)
  2. Promoting efficient food consumption by reducing food waste by local businesses and households

8.     Addressing environmental justice issues and environmental public health concerns

  1. Addressing adverse environmental public health impacts in communities through education, outreach, and advocacy
  2. Eliminating and reducing exposure to environmental toxins in homes, schools, and communities within vulnerable and marginalized populations
  3. Increasing equitable access to organic, healthy, and nutritious food for vulnerable and marginalized populations

To access the Rotary International online version of this document, go to