Want to stop climate change? Here are six things you can do right now

Global warming has never been of more concern. Here’s how you can do your bit to save the planet

By Ernest Richardson

Climate-change activist Greta Thunberg is sailing a yacht to a conference in New York in an effort to minimise her impact on the planet.

    With record temperatures throughout the world, there’s never been more of a focus on climate change.  

The teenager will spend two weeks sailing across the North Atlantic en route to the UN’s Climate Action Summit in September. It’s the latest in a series of high-profile actions that have seen Miss Thunberg become one of the world’s most celebrated spokespeople about the challenge of global warming.

The Swedish protestor made her name as a 15 year old by holding weekly strikes outside her country’s parliament. Her actions inspired an international movement and pricked the conscience of world leaders.

With record temperatures throughout the world, there’s never been more of a focus on climate change. Which means it’s the perfect time to look at our actions and identify ways to save the planet. Here are six suggestions to help channel your inner Greta.

1) Walk and cycle more, drive less

This is obvious, right? According to the RAC Foundation, 76 per cent of journeys between two and three miles and more than a half of all trips over one mile are undertaken by car rather than on foot or bicycle.

That’s a lot of carbon being pumped into the atmosphere that could easily be avoided. If you’re travelling fewer than two miles, it should only take half an hour or so to walk. And if you’re going fu

rther afield, a bike will get you there in no time at all.

Whether it’s the journey to school, work, or simply to post a letter, leave the car at home and make a big difference to the climate.

2) Cut down on your meat consumption

The contribution of livestock to global warming is a controversial issue, and there are arguments on both sides. Studies show that livestock farming creates about 14.5 per cent of global greenhouse emissions, making agriculture the second-highest contributor to global warming.

Set against that, experts from the Sustainable Food Trust point out that grazing animals on grassland can play an important role in carbon sequestration and make a positive contribution to the environment.

Either way, it pays to think about how much meat you consume. Try to have at least one meat-free day per week and you’ll improve your diet as well as helping the planet.

3) Install a smart meter

Smart meters have a strong appeal to consumers: they help you save money as well as cutting down your energy use.

Many energy suppliers install smart meters as part of their routine upgrade programme, but you can request one ahead of time if you wish.

By monitoring your energy consumption in real time, a smart meter enables you to see how much you’re spending, and measure your impact on the environment.

Users find that having up-to-date information about energy consumption displayed in their home encourages them to be more careful. They see the cost of their electricity and gas use, and take steps to minimise it. Good for the wallet, and good for the environment.

    It’s tempting to think of politicians as toothless and lacking in influence.  

4) Write to your MP

It’s tempting to think of politicians as toothless and lacking in influence. But MPs continue to wield huge power, not least by voting on legislation concerning national carbon-reduction targets and the deployment of green technology such as electric cars.

You can monitor how your constituency MP votes on climate change issues and contact them using the UK Parliament website. If you want them to take a stand, or challenge their voting record, the best way is to email or write, or visit their local surgery.

If a mass movement is more your cup of tea, you could sign the Friends of the Earth petition, asking the government to take urgent climate action.  

5) Embrace renewables

Renewable sources are now proven to provide a reliable source of energy with minimal impact on the environment.

The easiest way to harness the power of the wind and sun is to sign up with a green electricity supplier such as Good Energy or Ecotricity. Companies like these often offer competitive tariffs and make a donation per customer to an eco-friendly charity.

If your property is suitable, you could install a wind turbine or solar panels, but that can be expensive and may not meet your energy needs.

6) Get your employer on board

Every brand wants to demonstrate its eco credentials, so your employer shouldn’t need much encouragement to launch an environmental programme.

You could encourage them to apply for B Corporation status, underscoring their commitment to the planet and encouraging best practice. B Corps meet the very highest standards of social and environmental performance. Members benefit from a global network that is committed to doing the right thing.

On a more day-to-day level, small acts like encouraging careful use of energy and adopting a green company car scheme all make a difference.

Employers often need the encouragement of employees to introduce environmentally friendly policies. If you want to make a difference to the planet’s prospects, why not give your employer a nudge in the right direction?

© 2019 Just Recruitment Group Ltd

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Jobs currently available

Customer Services Executive
Sector: Customer Service
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Sudbury, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB14
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a Customer Services Executive for a manufacturer based in Sudbury, Suffolk.

As a Customer Services Executive, you will play a key role within the sales and marketing team — delivering exceptional service to both new and existing customers while managing ongoing accounts.

You will answer customer questions, solve problems, and provide information about the company’s products and services — all while building strong relationships and ensuring long-term customer satisfaction.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Assess incoming enquiries from direct communication or the sales team
  • Create quotations and tender documentation
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  • Manage the CRM system
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  • Processing incoming sales orders
  • Liaise with the order fulfilment team for the smooth supply of products to customers
  • Manage any after-sales requirements
  • Help project manage key projects and clients

Role requirements include:

  • Must possess excellent communication skills, both oral and written
  • Previous experience in a similar role is preferable
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  • Good knowledge of and proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic database skills
  • Must be able to understand business calculations and be competent to correspond via email in a professional manner
  • Must be an excellent face-to-face communicator
  • Telephone communication skills are of a high standard
  • One of the keys to success is to develop professional relationships with decision makers, and so the ability to ‘connect’ with people and build networks should come naturally
  • You will be based at the Sudbury office, with occasional requirements for site and customer visits

Skills and qualifications to include:

  • A highly capable person with strong planning and scheduling skills
  • Self–driven, results-oriented, and with a positive outlook and a clear focus on high-quality standards
  • An independent person with good organisation and planning skills, who is capable of objectively assessing and improving their own and the department’s performance
  • Must be reliable, tolerant, and be able to work under pressure. The ability to be professional at all times and represent the company in a professional manner is a prerequisite
  • Tenacity and the ability to see things through to the end goal are desired traits
  • Must be able to work alone as well as work within a team
  • When required, able to work extra hours to accommodate the business needs, which may include occasional travel


Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Technical Sales / Applications Engineer
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: £26,000 - £34,000 per annum
Location: Tiverton, Devon
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB13
About the role

Just Recruitment is seeking a Technical Sales / Applications Engineer for a leading client in Tiverton, Devon — an excellent opportunity for a graduate, higher apprentice, or experienced engineer to develop their career within a technical engineering environment.

Reporting to the Technical Sales Manager, this role will focus on the promotion and sales of company products to prospective, new and existing customers.

Scope:

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Required qualifications/experience include:

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Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Procurement Manager
Sector: Purchasing and Merchandising
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Sudbury, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB11
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing manufacturing business based on the outskirts of Sudbury, in the search for a talented Procurement Manager to join their expanding team.

Required skills and qualifications:

  • CIPS Qualified - min level 5.
  • Substantial experience in a procurement leadership role within the food, ingredients, manufacturing, or FMCG sectors.
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  • Strong Negotiation and Supplier Management skills.

The key purpose of this role is to lead the delivery of greater strategic and operational value of the procurement function and help to deliver business-critical goals.

This is a hands-on, strategic, and operational role that requires a confident leader with deep procurement expertise and the ability to inspire and develop a team.

You will work closely with the Supply Chain Manager to shape and implement a fit-for-purpose procurement strategy, ensuring alignment with business goals across quality, cost, sustainability, and risk management. This role is pivotal in maintaining robust and value-driven supplier relationships while enabling continuous improvement in all procurement activities.

You will also oversee raw material planning and call-offs, ensuring that the business maintains the right balance between availability and inventory control — essential for production continuity and working capital efficiency.

This role includes direct line management of a Procurement Specialist, supporting their development and day-to-day activity management.

Key duties include:

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive procurement strategy aligned with business objectives, operational needs, and sustainability goals.
  • Identify, evaluate, and manage suppliers across raw materials, packaging, and indirect categories to ensure quality, continuity and cost-effectiveness.
  • Collaborate with the Supply Chain Manager and other departments to align procurement with broader supply chain goals and business plans.
  • Contribute to the company’s sustainability, traceability and ethical sourcing commitments through strategic supplier partnerships.
  • Oversee the procurement of raw materials, packaging, indirect goods and services, and CAPEX items, ensuring optimal quality, cost and delivery performance.
  • Manage tendering processes, contract negotiation and supplier onboarding activities.
  • Ensure the ERP system is updated and used effectively for procurement activities and reporting.
  • Monitor and report on procurement KPIs, savings and supplier performance metrics.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and service providers, driving continuous improvement and innovation.
  • Lead supplier performance reviews, audits and corrective action processes.
  • Identify and assess risks within the supply base and implement mitigation strategies to ensure business continuity.
  • Lead, mentor and develop the procurement team to achieve high levels of engagement, performance and professional growth.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous learning within the team.
  • Support the wider Supply Chain team by contributing to cross-functional initiatives and projects.
  • Ensure adherence to company procurement policies, financial controls and ethical standards.
  • Support internal and external audits with relevant documentation and compliance reporting.
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Build and nurture key working relationships with Production, Quality Assurance, Finance, Warehousing, Sales and Commercial Teams, Suppliers, Logistics Providers and Regulatory Bodies.

This is an excellent opportunity to drive change within a business — offering a great working environment.

Working hours for this role are Monday to Friday, 8am - 5pm, although some flexibility is required.

Please note that due to the location of the business, you must have access to your own transport.

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Purchasing Supervisor
Sector: Purchasing and Merchandising
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC24
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a growing, industry-leading organisation in Ipswich to recruit a Purchasing Supervisor.

Working collaboratively within a fast-paced, team-oriented purchasing function, you will take responsibility for taking the highly successful Purchasing Team to the next level of procurement. Reporting to the Purchasing Manager, the emphasis of the role is to work with existing team members to build key skills and to improve current processes. It will involve resolving daily issues, building and maintaining supplier relationships and helping to build the future purchasing team.

Duties include:

  • Primary responsibility for the daily management of specific team members.
  • Provide structured training and guidance to proactively encourage individual and team development, ensuring team succession planning.
  • Empower the team to take ownership of their roles/responsibilities.
  • Responsible for managing up and organising updates/meetings with the Team Manager.
  • Actively work with other supervisors and management to ensure a consistent approach within the department.
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Key skills/qualifications required include:

  • CIPS level 4 achieved or prepared to undertake.
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  • A proactive approach with a “can-do” attitude and the ability to motivate others.
  • Analytical skills with strong problem-solving ability.
  • Proven negotiation skills.
  • Good understanding of supply chain procedures.
  • Proven advanced level of Computer literacy - Microsoft Excel/Word/Access.
  • Sound Administrative experience. Knowledge of ERP.

Hybrid working will be available after successful completion of the probationary period (min. of 3 days in the office, up to 2 days at home).

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Brand Coordinator
Sector: Purchasing and Merchandising
Location: Braintree
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC23
About the role

Just Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a well-regarded business based in Braintree who are recruiting for a Brand Coordinator to add to their team.

As a Brand Coordinator, you will manage the entire process from product development to customer delivery, including:

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Role requirements include:

  • Strong commercial skills
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Working hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Sales Office Coordinator
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC22
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a Sales Office Coordinator to join a well-established company based in Ipswich.

You’ll be working within a busy, fast-paced, team-oriented, customer-focused Sales Office. The main emphasis of the role is to manage customer expectations by organising the pricing of materials to meet project deadlines. Previous experience in processing quotes, sales, purchase orders, and invoices is preferred.

The ability to problem solve and seek solutions is essential, as is the ability to control workload with varying demands, whilst applying attention to detail with a diplomatic and proactive approach. You will possess previous experience within a similar role.

Duties include:

  • Preparing project quotations.
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  • Data validation/attention to detail checking customer purchase orders/project information.
  • Proactively managing customer relations with both approved contractors, suppliers and external sales teams.
  • Managing inter-departmental communications relating to project quotes/orders/deliveries/invoicing.
  • Co-ordination of project pricing, deliveries and problem-solving customer queries.
  • Ability to adapt communication style/approach to manage a diverse range of tasks throughout the project process.

Key experience required includes:

  • Previous experience in high-level administration, with strong attention to detail and excellent customer service skills
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  • A proactive approach to workload, rather than reactive.

Hybrid working is available after successful completion of the probationary period — a minimum of 3 days in the office and up to 2 days working from home

Hours: Monday – Friday (9:00am - 5:00pm).

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more