Co-operatives unite globally for ICETT

Focused on tackling climate change ahead of World Environment Day, this week we represent the UK as part of The International Cooperative Entrepreneurship Think Tank (ICETT). Uniting together with cooperatives from around the world, we share ideas and cooperative solutions to help protect our environment.

Who are ICETT?

Formed in 2018 by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), the group has helped strengthen the entrepreneurial performance of cooperatives using research, innovation, education and most importantly cooperation to address challenges for co-op’s worldwide. 

ICETT Members are large cooperatives and cooperative groups and together form four working groups that focus on:

1. Future of Work

2. Human Rights in Value Chains

3. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the World Cooperative Monitor (WCM).

4. Cooperative Entrepreneurship & Competitive Advantage

How are Midcounties involved?

Midcounties represents the UK and is part of the group looking at SDG’s, in particular climate action along with 7 other major cooperatives from 6 countries including Sancor Seguros, Cooperative Obrera and Coopertiva Portuarious from Argentina, Groupe Up from France, EURICSE from Italy, IFFCO from India, Mondragon Corporation from Spain and the National Co-op Grocers Cooperative from USA.  We regularly share and promote our work around climate action, such as our 1Change campaign.

Sharing best practices on a global level

To help showcase the great work that co-operatives are doing across the UK and all around the world to take climate action, our Chief Values Officer, Pete Westall, moderated a global webinar this week through The International Cooperative Entrepreneurship Think Tank (ICETT) entitled ‘Cooperatives for an Environmentally Just Future’. Bringing together many leading Co-op’s around the world to share best practices and policies in protecting the environment, it continues to showcase our Society on a global level during a week where World Environment Day falls.

As moderator for the webinar, Pete enabled a range of fellow co-ops to discuss best practice and showcase collaboration opportunities, including Co-op Group sharing details on their recent 10 point climate plan, Dutch Co-operative Rabobank and Sancor Seguros from Argentina speaking about their environmental protection programmes and impact measurement. Looking towards the future, representatives from the Young People’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (YPMCS) Zimbabwe told the story of founding a cooperative to promote renewable energy.

The discussions help to understand the ‘cooperative difference’ made by many cooperatives in the communities and countries they operate in, rightly aligned to our very own Values in Action.

For more information on The International Cooperative Entrepreneurship Think Tank (ICETT), click here.