World Mediators Alliance on Climate Change

Introduction:

This illustrative Green Pledge outlines concrete steps that each of us can take to reduce the impact on the climate of each mediation we conduct. We acknowledge, as the inspiration for this, the Pledge for Greener Arbitrations by the arbitrator, Lucy Greenwood.

The Pledge is broad enough to allow all those involved in mediation to make changes to their behaviour and to lead the way in responsible mediating. It offers a foundation which, we hope, mediators will build upon with their own further measures tailored to their practices.

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The Pledge

“As a mediator committed to ensuring that I minimise the impact on the environment of every mediation I am involved in, I will ensure that, wherever possible:

• If screen sharing/video technology is appropriate, accessible and acceptable to all concerned, I will encourage its use in all aspects of my mediation practice;

• At all times during the mediation process, I will consider the most environmentally friendly way to travel if travel is necessary;

• I will offset the carbon emissions of any flights I make to and from mediations while recognising that this is not in any way a substitute for avoiding flying and will only fly when it is necessary to do so;

• At all times during the mediation process I will only correspond through electronic means, unless hard copy correspondence is expressly required in the circumstances, while recognising that electronic communication itself is carbon emitting and should be limited to what is necessary;

• I will not request hard copies of documents to be provided to me unless there is a special need to do so and I will discourage the use of hard copy documents generally;

• I will encourage parties and their advisers to consider the necessity of participants attending mediation in person if that attendance involves significant travel and is not necessary;

• Wherever possible, I will encourage parties and their advisers to consider the most environmentally friendly venue for their mediation. At mediation venues, in rooms in which I am mediating I will encourage, wherever possible, an environmentally friendly approach to the use of consumables (for example the avoidance of single-use plastic) and the use of energy (for example reviewing the level of air conditioning and heating);

• I will consider the appropriateness of travelling to, and my mode of travel to and from, conferences and other events and wherever possible will encourage and use live streaming/remote participation options;

• I will take steps to reduce the environmental impact of my office/workplace; and

• I will seek to raise awareness of this pledge, for example by referring to it on my website and/or email footer.”