ELCAP’s contribution to sustainable development

ELCAP’s commitment to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals is set out in a new report which describes the charity’s progress in the 2020/21 financial year.

The report sets out the steps ELCAP has taken to advance the following UN goals:

  • Goal 4: Quality education
  • Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
  • Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
  • Goal 10: Reduced inequalities
  • Goal 13: Climate action
  • Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals

Reflecting on ELCAP’s commitment to sustainable development, Chief Executive, Paul White, said:

“Some may wonder why a social care charity which serves East Lothian and Midlothian has aligned itself with ambitious goals adopted by the United Nations.  The answer is simple – sustainable development is everyone’s business and everyone’s responsibility.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has meant we haven’t made as much progress as we’d have liked – some of our plans had to be put on hold – we are reasonably pleased with what we have achieved in challenging circumstances.

With the COP 26 summit taking place in Glasgow at the end of the month, we are happy to report some small, but positive contributions to tackling climate change.  In addition to switching to a green energy provider and working with a local firm to improve the energy efficiency of our office lighting, almost 60% of our staff travel to work in environmentally friendly ways – by bike, on public transport and by walking.”

ELCAP’s Sustainable Development Plan was produced by a working group made up of Board members and staff, with the support of Earthself.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals are at the heart of The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was agreed by UN member states in 2015. The goals recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change.