Representation |
Greater representation across the environmental sector. |
The Ethnic Minority Environmental Network (EMEN)
is a platform and resource for all ethnic minority voices
to engage in climate change issues and policies
and to develop links with environmental stakeholders.
EMEN is facilitated by CEMVO Scotland which is a national intermediary organisation with the aim of building the capacity of the ethnic minority voluntary sector and its communities.
The climate crisis is not merely a complex environmental and scientific issue but one that with all its magnitude and severity, further exacerbates the already increasing inequalities that affect ethnic minority communities. EMEN works with ethnic minority organisations, communities and individuals to build capacity among these groups to develop a collective voice through raising awareness of climate issues, developing a vision of a low carbon society, and contributing to discussions with decision-makers.
One major achievement was our partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful to address the lack of any ethnic minority communities in receiving Climate Challenge Funding (CCF). This partnership was delivered by CEMVO with support from EMEN, and resulted in the number of ethnic minority projects funded through CCF going from 0 to over 150, with over £15 million allocated funds.
What we do
ENABLING the ethnic minority community groups and individuals to come together to discuss and raise awareness of climate change issues.
DEVELOPING a collective vision of a low carbon society.
EMPOWERING a collective and coherent ethnic minority voice on climate change, sustainable development, and environmental issues.
ENGAGING in dialogue with key decision-makers at a local and strategic level.
INCREASING ethnic minority groups and individuals’ participation in relevant stakeholder consultations, events and campaigns.
BUILDING leadership and capacity of network members to advocate and campaign for social & environmental justice.
PROVIDING training and self-development opportunities for members, including Climate Changemakers residential, Leadership Development Programme, Campaigning, Activism, and Public Speaking.
Our Mission
We want to ensure that all climate mitigation and adaption efforts are just and representative of the needs and priorities of minority ethnic groups by aiming for:
Capacity |
Build capacity of ethnic minority groups to undertake climate action. |
Vision |
Develop a strong collective voice on the shared vision for an equitable and low carbon society. |
Our Vision
To ensure that the experiences and inequalities felt by minoritized ethnic communities are not further exacerbated by the climate crisis while supporting a human-centred approach towards developing climate mitigation and adaption plans at various levels.
Environment:
We put the environment at the centre of everything we do.
The climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges we face, and we work together to protect the environment’s health because it is inseparable from our lives.
Representation:
We work together with people around the UK to ensure climate justice.
Our approaches to climate change include social, economic, public health, and other adverse impacts on different people.
Community:
We work with diverse communities towards a low carbon society.
Climate change will change the way people live in their built and natural environments. We’re a community, and we’re focused on tackling climate change issues to better our society and our lives.
Meet the team behind EMEN
Abiola Durodola
Environmental Projects Coordinator
Abiola has always had a strong interest in social, housing, and environmental justice, as well as sustainable cities.
He has engaged with governments, civil society organisations, and local groups in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Germany, and the UK on a range of issues, and has actively campaigned and advocated for equitable social, economic, and environmental policies. As a Project Manager, he has successfully led and delivered a variety of projects and programmes.
He holds a background in Urban and Regional Planning and earned a Master’s degree in Regional Development Planning and Management from TU Dortmund and UFABC São Paulo, supported by a German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarship. He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute for Town Planners, the Commonwealth Association of Planners, and the Commonwealth Youth for Sustainable Urbanisation Network.
In his role as Environmental Projects Coordinator at CEMVO, Abiola oversees a diverse portfolio of environmental justice projects currently being implemented by the organisation. He also leads the design and development of new initiatives aimed at addressing racial disparities in climate action.
Zora Tamas
Project Officer: Ethnic Minority Environmental Networ
Zora is the Ethnic Minority Environmental Network Project Officer and runs the Climate Ambassador Programme.
As part of this programme individuals are equipped with skills and knowledge to work towards climate justice within their communities. This happens my attending webinars, educational workshops and community events.
Zora is passionate about climate justice and in previous roles has helped children and young people to learn about the environment through outdoor play and gardening, and worked with communities to take action for nature in their neighbourhoods to improve the environment for people and wildlife.
Zora studied Zoology in England and Behavioural Ecology in the Netherlands, where she focused on bats in urban areas and developed an educational tool in a botanic garden to address visitors’ plant blindness.
Zora is a board member of Plastic-free Dunfermline, supporting individuals, communities and businesses in and around Dunfermline and Fife, to eliminate single-use plastics. She also volunteers in the Glasgow Botanic Gardens and Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve.
Brahma Vaidya
Project Officer: Energy Saving For All
Brahma Vaidya brings together his love for nature, commitment to community, and passion for sustainability in all areas of his work.
As an Ethnic Minority Community Outreach Energy Officer, he collaborates with Changeworks to support communities across Scotland in engaging with sustainable energy and climate action. His role focuses on partnership-building, outreach, and creative campaigns that inspire low-carbon living.
Guided by his upbringing in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Brahma has always felt a responsibility to protect the environment and support people in living more sustainably. He values compassion, collaboration, and creativity, whether through volunteering at his local gurudwara or through filmmaking, where he tells stories that centre communities and their journeys toward a greener future.
Virginia Toyi
Environmental Race Equality Officer
Vee is the Race Equality Environmental Officer within REEP, a groundbreaking initiative that supports mainstream environmental organizations in addressing and improving issues related to race equality and representation. This transformative program is generously funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.
As an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) professional, Vee offers impactful, customized solutions for creating inclusive work environments across various sectors. With over 20 years of experience in policy, human rights, diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement, Vee has forged strong partnerships with public institutions, charities, and governmental bodies to foster inclusion, embrace cultural diversity, and address systemic inequalities.
Throughout Vee’s career, collaborations have spanned diverse sectors, including education, housing, the third sector, the legal sector, and community organizations. Vee’s expertise lies in harnessing individuals’ strengths, fostering innovation, and cultivating effective teamwork. Driven by a profound passion for empowering communities, Vee is particularly focused on supporting women and people with hidden disabilities within marginalized and underrepresented groups.
