Eco-action

Eco-action groups have tended to be small and unstructured but as their influence grows, their ideas are being co-opted by environmental action groups, sometimes backed by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like Worldwatch Institute, and those that are part of larger alliances such as the Clean Water Network.

There has been a recent trend where eco-actions have begun attracting leadership from a national standpoint with several governments stepping in.^[1] Canada’s “EcoAction Community Funding program”^[2] encourages inner city residents to take actions that improve their communities. The government of Japan backs companies that reward citizens with “eco action points” when they take positive action toward the environment.^[3] Industries have begun adopt eco-labels too. The Marine Stewardship Council adopted its own label for commercial and non-commercial use, with specific guidelines.^[4] Such emerging interest has burgeoned with the development of measurement tools that can evaluate and track such individual or group behaviour over time. The best examples of this development are the emergence of ecological footprint calculators such as carbon footprint and water footprint calculators, and new mapping tools. As interest in eco-action grows we see consumers demanding better ecolabeling, and standardized eco-certification programs.^[5] In 2024, cities are shaping sustainable tourism by rewarding environmental choices with museum or restaurant passes, or taxes that protect local wildlife ^[6] and "consumers are prioritizing consumption that integrates sustainability-focused practices."^[7]