90@90 project

90@90 project's for a healthy planet logo

The WI celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2005, and to commemorate the occasion we launched the 90@90 project. The project runs until Spring 2008 and is part funded by Defraâ€â„¢s Environmental Action Fund. 90@90 aims to promote sustainable consumption among WI members and their communities through a variety of member-led projects looking at food, the home and transport.

Background

During the first year of the 90@90 project, WI members participated in a national consultation, examining how our communities have changed over the past 90 years. The results formed the basis for the 90@90: The impact of the past 90 years of consumer behaviour report, which was published in September 2005. You can buy the report in our online shop.

The report showcases members' views on how our consumption over the past 90 years has brought our planet to the brink of a natural resources and climate change crisis. It also presents members ideas on what individuals, organisations, industry and government can do to get us back on track towards a more sustainable future.

In response to the 90@90 report, we developed a range of projects to help members reduce their impact on the planet and live in a more environmentally friendly way.

Projects are free for members, with refreshments and lunch provided at events and training days, but participants must cover their own travel expense. For further information about the projects, please contact our Public Affairs department through the Contact us button or by calling 020 7371 9300.

 90@90 Closing Conference 



The NFWI will be holding the 90@90 closing conference on the 5th March 2008 in central London. This event will run from 11am to 4pm. The agenda will include 90@90 project presentations, guest speakers on environmental issues, updates on the WI Carbon Challenge and WI campaigns, and interactive focus groups on future WI campaigns and projects. We hope make this conference a powerful, motivational and directional event.

There is no charge for attending this conference; however you must cover your own travel expenses. Space for this event is limited, and places will be allocated on a strictly first come basis.  Please contact the NFWI Public Affairs department to register for the event. 

Home Compost 


In partnership with WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) we are co-hosting home composting workshops for WI members and their communities in January and February 2008. Open to the public, these events will provide WI members and others with the knowledge and skills to achieve maximum success from their home compost initiatives. To register, please get in touch with the federation office for each individual event.

January 29: Cambridge
February 6: Herefordshire
February 12: Pembrokeshire
February 12: Oxfordshire
February 16: Suffolk West
February 19: Derbyshire
February 21: Ceredigion
February 25: Wiltshire

WI member composting

EcoTeams

EcoTeam logo
Tomorrow's climate, today's challenge logo

WI EcoTeams are groups of eight members who represent their households. They meet once a month for four months to learn how their daily actions affect climate change. Discussions include water, energy, waste, transport and shopping.

The EcoTeams share ideas and work together to learn how to make simple yet effective changes to their lifestyles to become more environmentally friendly and save money. EcoTeam leaders are responsible for recruiting members to their EcoTeams and organising their monthly meetings.Wi EcoTeam

 

Defra's Climate Challenge Fund is funding the EcoTeam programme until 2008. Defra's 'Tomorrow's Climate, Today's Challenge' initiative aims to involve and encourage individuals and communities to tackle climate change.

 Sustainable Transport 


Carplus logo
 		The 90@90 sustainable transport project provides support and information to federations interested in using car sharing and car club schemes to tackle transport problems.

During the month of May, Carplus conducted workshops in Hampshire and Oxfordshire federations where WI members learned about the range of sustainable transport methods and options available.WI carshare

Living Local

Living Local project logo
Rita Pollard, Margaret Noon, Jess Elliot, and Ruth Bond at the Bampton Fair
In August 2006, the WI together with SPAR and nef (the new economics foundation) joined forces to run an eight month pilot project to discover how the village of Bampton, Devon sources its food and the pivotal roles local stores and community groups play in village life.

We have now launched the Living Local toolkit! We want to encourage communities all around the country to work together to raise awareness of the benefits local food has to offer. This toolkit will provide WIs, community groups, retailers and producers guidance for running their own Living Local project.