By Rashid Khaliq
SIX months on from COP26, keeping up the momentum and ensuring the climate emergency is still at the forefront of our minds is vital. We need to ensure that we are actively deploying and adopting green solutions to help reach our goal of becoming a net zero nation by 2045.
However, a slow-burn approach will not suffice – real-life, fast-track solutions are needed, and a cross-sector partnership must form between local communities, businesses and policy makers to help accelerate us towards our common goal of tackling the climate crisis.
We know why we are doing this and we know what we need to do. The challenge is the "how" – that is prevailing as the floundering factor. How do we make it a just transition? How do we embed a green solution through food, energy and transport? How do academics and policy maker- devised solutions translate to the masses?
I believe a balanced approach is required to achieve this huge, very achievable goal, as long as we get it right on the ground
I’ve had the privilege to drive innovation directly, within my local community in Glasgow. At SoulRiders we have devised a truly innovative service – a green micro-mobility transport solution where SoulRiders and Big Green Feet, both small Glasgow-based charities, teamed up with SP Energy Networks, part of ScottishPower, to create a project to provide a green logistical solution and social impact at the same time. It is a community-based project that works for both the largest corporations and for small neighbourhoods, including supporting poverty-stricken households. This approach is something we need to see more of in order to ensure environmental action is effective.
Last year ScottishPower, a Principal Partner of COP26, included me in its Green Power List which shines a light on inspiring people across the UK who are going above and beyond to fight the climate crisis in their community. It is a fantastic opportunity and an honour to be recognised amongst the incredible group of people that are working tirelessly to bring back a balance to this planet.
We know that simply saying that we want to fight the climate crisis will not suffice – action is needed. It is useful to know that there are synergies between our beliefs and tackling climate change. As a Muslim who has worked with groups of people from all different backgrounds to help drive behaviour change within diverse communities, learning that many of the climate change beliefs match hand in hand with my religion, made any behavioural change requirements frictionless.
If we want to bring together communities, corporations and the public sector then we need local solutions that are simple, well organised and exciting. To make this type of green behavioural change systemic, we must make it so attractive that it’s not even a conscious choice, it’s simply the best choice.
Learn more about the ScottishPower Green Power List at www.scottishpower.com/pages/green_power_list.aspx
Rashid Khaliq is the Chief Executive of SoulRiders, a green project that strives to improve Glasgow’s air quality through the means of low-emission travel and cycling
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