Environmental charities are being encouraged to set up informal links with green protest groups such as Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil to boost awareness among the public of issues around climate change, according to latest research.

Researchers say that “by finding common messaging with direct action groups, outside of their tactics, broad appeal can be achieved within large swathes of the electorate”

However, such links need to be informal to avoid alienating charities’ core support base.

“Creating formal partnerships with direct action groups could be complicated for charities who must consider the public and political fallout that could arise, not to mention the possible accusations that they’ve breached charity law. There are a range of informal options however that could be employed which convey a message of unity whilst allowing charities to remain distanced from direct action tactics.

This can include, as Just Stop Oil has suggested a “shared policy stance or publicly supporting an overarching aim”

One of the green charity officials researchers spoke to added: “It has to be done in a way that triggers a positive response with the public and politicians…this starts by talking to one another more and sharing a message that is articulated by everyone from Extinction Rebellion to the most conservative National Trust member.”

Another charity official surveyed suggested that strengthening ties with activists in this way can help attract younger people attracted to direct action as well as gather support from the wider electorate.

“Direct action messaging gains a lot of traction with young people, but to really land it needs to be also mobilising charity members in red wall and blue wall constituencies,” said the charity official.

“That’s what decides elections because that’s what really moves the dial amongst the main political parties in terms of acting on things and actually doing things.”

The research has been published by nfpResearch in its report Good Cop, Bad Cop: How environmental charities can take advantage of direct action.

Check out our new FREE REPORT: Have direct action and civil disobedience moved the needle for environmentalism? And how can charities benefit from the actions of these groups?

Find out in: GOOD COP, BAD COP 👉 https://t.co/ymXEyuxguM#thirdsector #freereport #charity pic.twitter.com/nDMbDDVZDD

— nfpResearch (@nfp_Research) March 17, 2023

“By finding common messaging with direct action groups, outside of their tactics, broad appeal can be achieved within large swathes of the electorate,” said the research firm.

Its managing director Tim Harrison -Byrne added: “Direct action advances the conversation we see around climate change and challenges the public and legislators to take notice.

“While direct action groups may generate new attention for environmentalism, it falls to charities and their established place in the political sphere to push for comprehensive legislation that fully addresses the scope of the climate crisis.

“Charities and direct action groups should synchronise their efforts and work towards unified messaging with maximum reach."

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