The publication of the latest RACE Report

The RACE Report (Racial Action for the Climate Emergency), published on 3 February 2025, shows the ongoing racial diversity gap between the UK working population and staff in environment, conservation, climate and sustainability charities.

The RSPB have proudly supported the Race Report since it began in 2022. Our work to improve race equity in our organisation has been informed by the data and analysis in the report. We are now joined by 160 other organisations all committed to driving race equity forwards.

The RACE Report asks UK environmental charities and their funders to address the lack of diversity in the sector and highlights the need for greater representation in sustainability and climate action.

The report provides the data that informs our decisions and presents an impartial, transparent account of where we (and other organisations) are at in this journey.

The latest RACE report shows the representation of people of colour and racially or ethnically minoritised groups across the environmental sector is only 4.5%, compared to a national average of 16%. Whilst only 3.7% of the RSPB's workforce are people of colour, this figure is an improvement on last year's 2.8%.

We are taking a series of actions to improve Race Equity within the organisation:

• Scoping and gathering evidence: We’re identifying gaps and learning from what works best, to make the RSPB stronger and more inclusive while delivering more for nature.     
• Immediate actions on wellbeing: We’ll provide better support for those affected by racism.   
• Measurable commitments: We stay accountable by aligning our work against clear independent goals such the RACE Report.     
• Influencing and collaborating: We’ll continue to partner with colleagues and communities to drive collective change and collaboration to protect nature.      
• Planning for the long term: We’re creating and improving our processes to make sure that race equity is embedded into everything we do right from the start.  

At the RSPB, our vision is to see a shared world where wildlife, wild places and all people thrive. We simply cannot achieve this mission by staying as we are.

RSPB Chief Executive Beccy Speight said: “The RACE Report continues to be an invaluable tool in driving change, and together with our fellow environmental organisations we recognise the role we have to play in creating an inclusive and equitable sector. We’re working hard to remove barriers and improve outcomes for marginalised communities, including people of colour, and this report brings into sharp focus the importance of progress and transparency if we are to achieve our vision of a shared world where wildlife, wild places and all people thrive.

“Much like when restoring and protecting nature, progress doesn’t happen overnight, and whilst we can see green shoots of progress there is much still to do. We’re determined to get this right and help contribute to change across the sector, because everyone should be able to have access to and play their part in the future of conservation.”