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.
Please sign up below to show your support for this initiative which could, we hope, have a real impact on our behaviour and fundamentally change the way in which we conduct mediations.
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.
Please feel free to augment or adapt the pledge as you wish.
As one supporter writes:
“This pledge is a commitment that has no end and whether it is formalised or just remains a contract to myself—it feels really good to have begun it. Thank you for giving me the nudge!”
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.”
Sign the Pledge
Some helpful wording
- for possible inclusion in a mediator’s administrative or contractual paperwork:
“Green Pledge
[x organisation and] the mediator is/are (a) supporter(s) of and signatory(ies) to the World Mediators Alliance on Climate Change (WoMACC) Green Pledge.
I/We have committed to minimising the environmental impact of each mediation in which I/we are involved in the ways outlined in the Pledge, including avoiding unnecessary travel and using electronic technology wherever possible.
I/We are also committed to encouraging those with whom we mediate similarly to minimise their carbon emissions.
The full pledge is also included in [x/my] [Terms of Engagement which are attached to our draft Agreement to Mediate]. I/We invite the parties to give consideration to the Pledge.”