Earth+ collective impact for people and planet

The Earth+ (Earth Positive) approach challenges and transforms the way in which we operate as collectives (businesses, institutions, charities etc). It centres human and planetary wellbeing at the core of decision-making, reconnecting us to our identity as a part of the ecosystem and our natural state of being: living synergistically with our environment.

It acknowledges we are a human species, existing from and because of, our extraordinary planet – full of other living beings and life forces on land, in water and air. It tasks us to undertake work with a positive impact and to take responsibility for redress.

The organisation is needs-based

Fulfilment of fundamental human needs drives our behaviour, decision-making, action and interaction with each other and our environment. Earth+ organisations are connected into their community and environment to identify what those specific needs are and tailor solutions based on their local context and the strengths of their team. They have good awareness and are led by reality (not assumptions). These organisations are adaptable and use a synergistic approach to addressing need (designing interventions/support that address multiple needs at once).

Below is a summary of the fundamental needs of humans and the environment, which are crucial to living a fulfilled and enriched life. Adapted from Max-Neef’s “Human Scale Development”

The organisation minimises consumption

Consumption of goods and services beyond those required to meet fundamental need is the primary cause of stress on our planets’ ecosystems. It is critical that we reduce the volume of resources we consume and that we are discerning about the lifecycle of those which we require. Earth+ organisations proactively reduce their consumption, source goods and services from transparent supply chains and have low-impact end-of-life solutions for products which are no longer of use. Goods and services are chosen with intent to satisfy needs, not wants.

The “Country Overshoot Day” shows how quickly the planet would run out of natural resources if the whole world consumed as much as each country on the calendar. If everyone consumed as much as we do in New Zealand we would run out of resources by April 30th.

The organisation makes a significant contribution

An organisation is a collective of people and place. It represents a shared investment of time, effort and resources towards a common mission. A teams’ unique mix of skills, passion and attributes determines the opportunities an organisation has to re-invest resources into support, care and conservation of it’s place and the planet. Earth+ organisations have a strong sense of who they are as a team and leverage their strengths to deepen their impact with a contribution that is unique, creative and pioneering.

Earth+ Organisations

The Terra Nova Foundation is an environmental charity leading the charge in activating positive climate and earth-first action. We tackle the root-cause of environmental downturn, human behaviour. We do this consciously, expeditiously and purposefully with individuals, businesses and communities.

Everything that we do is built upon an Earth+ foundation, placing human and planetary wellbeing as the core driver of our decision-making. We frequently challenge our approach to ensure it best-serves our community and environment. Our growing network of advisors and collaborators provide opportunities for feedback and reflection.

We pay attention to our context; staying up to date with the science, people, behaviour and turning points, so we are adaptable to change, able to keep our approach relevant and deepen our positive impact. We reduce our consumptive impact through who we choose to collaborate with, where goods and services come from and the way in which we use resources.

We envision a future where individuals are empowered, communities are aligned and in synergy with their environment and governance structures provide inclusive protection and fair access to resources.

The Green Lab create and curate spaces that foster community connection and wellbeing. With expertise in community co-design, nature-based landscaping and education, the team work across Christchurch integrating nature into urban landscapes and delivering programmes and resources which connect communities to their environment. The team have a transportable, purpose-built lab which allows them to travel to the communities they serve and create a gathering space wherever they are most needed.

Their approach is creative and innovative, exploring nature-based play, art, craft and recovery spaces to connect people in ways which is fun and rewarding. Focused on building earth stewardship and community resilience, The Green Lab also run public workshops to teach skills such as:

plant care and identification
sourcing and utilising natural materials
native planting and restoration
woodworking to build planter boxes, bird houses and insect hotels
food growing
biodiversity monitoring

The Green Lab bring life to empty spaces, working collaboratively with end-users to design urban environments which are functional, create opportunities for community-building, and promote environmental and social wellbeing.

Richmond Community Garden & Riverlution are true environmental and community kaitiaki. They support and strengthen self-sufficiency, inter-personal connection and ecosystem health through workshops, events and education, which connect people to the earth and the skills required to nurture it.

Located in Richmond alongside the Ōtākaro/Avon River, their three acres is home to food forests, Fungi Farm, native habitats for birds and insects or manu and pollinators, educational and workshop spaces, an Eco Hub and the Riverlution Café where local kai and circular practices come together. The team are actively shifting consumer behaviour; teaching the community skills to repair and upcycle, collecting and reusing packaging that is not included in municipal recycling schemes, and running Precious Plastic programmes and a workshop that reform end-of-life plastic into re-sellable products.

The Riverlution Eco Park showcases the benefits and opportunities of operating in a circular ecosystem, reusing and reimagining how resources are sourced and managed, nurturing biodiversity and reciprocal human-nature relationships, and teaching community how to be stewards of the land. The team are continually exploring ways to deepen the connection between communities and their natural environment, working collaboratively with organisations throughout the city to provide green jobs, purposeful volunteer opportunities and integrating nature into urban spaces.

The Belfast Community Network (BCN) are community connectors, providing programmes, events and support for the residents of Belfast and beyond. BCN hold community wellbeing at the heart of their kaupapa, nurturing spaces for connection and growth and integrating care for the earth in their approach. The organisation is committed to implementing actions with positive earth-impact, for the wellbeing of the people of Belfast, now and for generations to come.

BCN have taken a number of steps to directly reduce their environmental footprint, including redesigning their waste management system, diverting waste from landfill and increasing the efficiency of their lighting at their centre. In collaboration with Satisfy Food Rescue, the team rescue food that would otherwise be prematurely disposed and provide over 1000 hot meals per year to community members in need. After identifying a section of existing garden bed as a candidate for regeneration, they have established a planting working-group in partnership with Christchurch City Council and the KPY Holiday Programme. Together, they will regenerate the space with native plants, increasing local biodiversity, providing a habitat for birds and insects and contributing toward flood protection for the community centre.

BCN are sector leaders in their resilience and change-readiness planning. Since 2014, they have been designing and developing the Belfast Emergency Response Plan, a coordinated collaborative community response to emergencies that effect the Belfast and Wider Belfast areas. This plan has been printed and delivered throughout Belfast and the approach is now being used as a template for emergency response in other areas throughout Christchurch.

Envirohub Marlborough is built upon an Earth+ approach, which directs and informs everything that they do. Firmly placed as the center of environmental community support in Marlborough, their programmes are all about connection; of people to planet, of people to their nature as kaitiaki, and to each other. The organisation is built upon an Earth-aligned strategy, with environmental wellbeing strongly established as the backbone of decision-making.

Envirohub play a critical role in community resilience by building and supporting a network of Earth+ organisations and leaders across the region, as well as running their own events and programmes. These include a community garden, a zero-waste dishwashing trailer, environmental education workshops, planting days, recycling and waste collection systems, conservation drives, and much more!

Earth+ Changemakers

Earth+ collective impact for people and planet

An Earth+ organisation aligns to three fundamental principles:

Earth+ Organisations

Earth+ for-purpose leaders