2021-06-30-accounts

POPULATION MATTERS ANNUAL REPORT JULY 2020 – JUNE 2021

1

Population Matters | Annual Report 20/21

3

5

LESS IS MORE WORKING TOWARDS ACHIEVING A SUSTAINABLE POPULATION GLOBALLY WILL HELP US CREATE MORE SPACE FOR NATURE – AND EACH OTHER – SO THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS CAN ENJOY A BETTER, MORE SUSTAINABLE LIFE ON A HEALTHY, FLOURISHING PLANET THAT HAS ENOUGH RESOURCES FOR ALL. TOGETHER WE CAN... #MAKEITPOSSIBLE

populationmatters.org[PopulationMatters][PopnMatters] popnmatters PopulationMatters

Population Matters, 135-137 Station Road, London E4 6AG Reg. charity: 1114109 Tel: [phone]

Design, infographics & illustrations: Miller Design Editor: Anna Harris

Printed in the UK by Jamm Print & Productions using vegetable-based inks on carbon balanced paper

Contents

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR

An introduction to Population Matters’ Annual Report by Sara Parkin OBE.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

PM’s Executive Director, Robin Maynard, considers how population is rising up the public agenda and why a growing number of respected organisations, groups and individuals are adding their voices to this critical issue. He also shares PM’s pathway to a better world for people and planet.

CONTEXT, CHALLENGES AND GLOBAL EVENTS

8

With challenges aplenty, PM’s mission during the year has been to push past pessimism, dispel false optimism and identify positive solutions.

OUR STRATEGY, VISION AND MISSION 12

How we’re working to put our plans into meaningful action – to demonstrate that achieving a sustainable future for people and planet is possible.

ACTIVITIES AND PERFORMANCE

15

With the ongoing challenges of Covid, we ramped up our digital engagement and focused on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. From briefings and reports to videos, campaigning, opinion polls and policy work, this year saw a higher level of activity from Population Matters than ever before.

AUDIENCES AND STAKEHOLDERS 20

We’re continuing to build national and global partnerships that are making a real difference to communities across the world. Our activities in education, research and advocacy continue to contribute to the achievement of a sustainable human population, and thus, environmental sustainability.

OUR PATRONS

24

The individuals whose varied expertise and passion for both people and the environment provide valuable endorsement for our work.

OUR EXPERT ADVISORY GROUP 25

This varied group of people bring specialist knowledge and provide us with an independent perspective on our strategy, performance, and major decisions.

FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Income and expenditure, review of PM’s financial position, structure, governance and risk, balance sheet and administration details.

26

2

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR

More people than ever seem to understand the impact of ever-rising numbers of human beings on nature and the health of our own species. People who are picking up and using PM’s evidence and arguments.

Sara Parkin OBE

What a difference a year makes! I am writing this after the Glasgow COP26 climate conference in November 2021 – from which any visiting Martian, or indeed most earthlings, would conclude that the size and shopping habits of the human population was not a significant factor in the relentless increase of dangerous greenhouse gas emissions!

How can this be? Because, from the perspective of Population Matters’ mission, and during the year to which this report refers (up to July 2021), more people and organisations than ever understand the impact on nature and the health of our own species not just of excessive consumption, but of the ever-rising numbers of human beings. People who are picking up and using Population Matters’ evidence and arguments. Our work with and support for individuals and organisations working in their communities – both in the Global North and Global South – increasingly inspires and influences change (see pages 20-23).

Could it be then, that what we saw in Glasgow was national governments still too frightened to act, even as they seemed to comprehend the hugeness of the challenge through which they are expected to lead their electorates? It does feel like it.

There was rather more hope in the C40 group, a global network of nearly 100 mayors taking urgent action to confront the climate crisis and create a future where everyone can thrive, which showed a somewhat steelier determination to halve their climate damaging emissions over the next decade.

Plus, there could be promise in a new diplomatic venture – the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance – an international coalition of governments, which is starting now to phase out oil and gas production. It is chaired by Denmark and Costa Rica (see Costa Rica case study on page 14) and the plan is to share good practice.

It does feel that initiatives such as these, rooted in localities and bent on action more than words, are where future momentum for real global change is most likely to emerge. This makes them a good example of the sort of enterprises where Population Matters is aiming to exercise more influence, which is why I am pleased to report we spent some time last year modernising our governance and organisational systems (see page 29). We also designed and agreed a strategy to better align our shorter-term campaigning activities with our longer-term goals (see our 4-point strategy headlines on page 14). In short, we have been preparing to succeed!

Already Population Matters is redoubling its efforts to promote the good story behind human numbers and the regeneration of the natural world, as well as advising others on how to be part of it; what is good for nature is good for families and communities, and vice versa. Our Executive Director, Robin Maynard, expands on this in his report on page 5.

I would like to end by saying how grateful I am to Population Matters’ Board, who have seen us through the inevitably difficult process of modernising our constitution entirely by Zoom! We all owe a great deal to our staff too; they have been resilient, innovative and amazingly cheerful in these frustrating times of Covid restrictions. To them, to our partners everywhere, to our donors, Patrons and Expert Advisory Group, and to our larger membership, a huge thank you is due. Thank you all.

Sara Parkin OBE Chair, Population Matters

3

Population Matters | Annual Report 20/21

LET’S TALK ABOUT POPULATION...

Addressing population opens many opportunities to improve lives, to advance social justice and to invest in people. Laurel Hanscom , CEO of the Global Footprint Network and member of PM’s Expert Advisory Group

People are scared to talk about changing their behaviours and attitudes because it’s difficult. But we have to change the narrative to reduce consumption, habitat loss and population – and we can.

Megan McCubbin , zoologist, wildlife TV presenter, conservationist and photographer

There are always many challenges when communicating about sensitive subjects such as population. That’s why we want to play our part in educating and informing people, to open up the debate.

Pablo Meglioli , Argentinian activist who set up Population Matters’ first Facebook and Instagram pages in Spanish

As population grows, the pressure on our planet is heightened. One of the many changes needed to give my generation a chance of a healthy future is for people to recognise that choosing to have fewer children helps relieve that pressure. We should and must be talking about population and family size.

Bella Lack , Youth Ambassador for the Born Free Foundation and Jane Goodall Institute

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Greater opportunities and wider horizons for people leaves more space for nature. Future generations will grow-up in a regenerating, speciesdiverse world sustained by resilient ecosystems. That’s the vision we can offer and the change we must make possible.

Robin Maynard Executive Director

#MakeItPossible has been our hashtag and slogan marking Population Matters’ 30[th] Anniversary, which fell in 2021, and is our call to action for the next three decades. For an organisation seeking to achieve change, having been in existence for 30 years and looking ahead to another 30 years’ hard graft might seem an admission of failure. I disagree!

Today, we are still leaders in opening up reasoned public discourse around population and in the vanguard of promoting positive, ethical solutions, but we are being joined by a growing number of respected organisations and building a worldwide network of partners, who add their voices to ours.

Organisations such as the Global Footprint Network (GFN), widely respected for its pioneering work in estimating humanity’s overall annual resource use through Earth Overshoot Day and showing that consumption rates, especially in the Global North, are way out of kilter with what our planet can renewably provide. Hence the headlines that the way of life in the UK and US, if replicated worldwide, would use up three and five planets’ worth of natural resources, respectively!

When PM was founded in 1991, it was almost unique in raising the issue of human population, highlighting the negative impacts of ongoing growth, and the benefits from enabling people everywhere (especially women) to have the choice and means to manage their family size and so reduce our numbers – as well as addressing excessive consumption.

For the first time in 2021, GFN included population as one of its ‘five pillars’ or key factors influencing whether Earth Overshoot Day fell earlier (worse) or later (better) in the year.

----- Start of picture text -----
© Florence Blondel
----- End of picture text -----

As GFN’s director, Laurel Hanscom commented: “ Avoiding the population conversation does nothing to address one of the most significant contributors to humanity’s increasing demand on the planet .”

Thanks to PM’s efforts over the past 30 years, population is rising up the public agenda, and being put before policymakers as in the report The Economics of Biodiversity by leading economist and PM Patron, Sir Partha Dasgupta. The Dasgupta Review (as it’s known) was commissioned by the

5

Population Matters | Annual Report 20/21

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

UK Treasury and acknowledges that: “Growing human populations have significant implications for our demands on nature, including for future patterns of global consumption” .

Like PM, it recommends that if we are to achieve sustainability, human population growth must be reduced, and ultimately ended, through universally available family planning and changing norms regarding family size. Sir Partha’s findings echo that of the earlier World Scientists’ Warning, signed by close to 15,000 scientists from 160 countries, which noted that: “Humanity is not taking the urgent steps needed to safeguard our imperilled biosphere” and included in its 13 urgent actions the imperative “to re-examine and change our individual behaviors, including limiting our own reproduction (ideally to replacement level at most).”

The science is on our side. Every respected scientist and credible organisation agrees that the next 30 years are critical, if we are to shift our species and planet onto a sustainable path. But facts and statistics alone won’t sway public opinion, win hearts and minds, and catalyse change. They must be set in a narrative, offering a compelling vision for the future that people can believe in and aspire to. That’s our challenge if we are to achieve our objectives over the next 30 years.

There’s nothing negative and everything positive about ‘bending down the curve’ of population growth. Enabling hundreds of millions of women worldwide to have a choice about how many children they have, or to be childfree, opens greater opportunities to fulfil their potential, their dreams, and have a voice and influence in their communities.

Falling birth rates bring the added windfall of cutting climate change emissions, estimated to be more than from almost any other ‘eco-action’. Greater opportunities and wider horizons for people leaves more space for nature – a stabilising, declining population means less conversion of wildlife habitat for agriculture, mining and housebuilding. Future generations will grow-up in a regenerating, species-diverse world sustained by resilient ecosystems. That’s the vision we can offer and the change we must make possible.

Robin Maynard Executive Director, Population Matters

A pathway to a

----- Start of picture text -----
10 FACTS
Globally, almost half of
pregnancies are unplanned.
Source: Guttmacher Institute
Major environmental charities such as WWF,
Friends of the Earth and the RSPB don’t
currently promote actions to address population
growth. PM is the only organisation focusing on
ethical solutions to the population issue.
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
On average, people in the UK are responsible
for 11 times the CO2 emissions of someone in
Nigeria. Global net human-caused emissions
of CO2 need to fall by 45% from 2010 levels by
2030, to reach ‘net zero’ by 2050.
Sources: Global Carbon Atlas, Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change
80% of biodiversity loss is caused by
agriculture and 80% of agricultural
land is used for livestock.
Source: UN Environment Programme
Gender equality reduces population
growth: empowered women
normally choose smaller families.
Humanity is currently using 70%
more of the Earth’s renewable
resources than it can regenerate.
Source: Global Footprint Network
Childfree people and
those with small families
still face criticism, stigma
and intrusive questioning.
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
The population of the Least Developed
Countries is projected to rise from just over
1bn in 2020 to 1.9bn in 2050.
Source: United Nations Population Division
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
Only 5% of income gains from
Gross Domestic Product growth
go to the world’s poorest 60%.
Source: Jason Hickel
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
Policies to address population are not yet included
in major environmental agreements such as
the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change and Convention on Biodiversity.
----- End of picture text -----

6

better world for people and planet

----- Start of picture text -----
10 ACTIONS 10 OUTCOMES
Practise safe sex. Put pressure on Unwanted pregnancies will be
global leaders to support family reduced and improved child and
planning and help end the unmet maternal health provision will
need of 270 million women. be established on a global scale.
Become a member of Population Matters and Other environmental and conservation
encourage others to join, support our campaigns charities start promoting ethical
and help us raise awareness of the population population solutions to tackle our
issue, which is contributing to almost all of the environmental crisis.
major problems facing us today.
Personal CO2 emissions are slashed, helping other climate
Take a transport challenge – solutions be more effective. There are far fewer cars,
drive less, bike, hi k e, use cities have adapted to be more pedestrian and bike
public transport, go friendly, with more green spaces and rooftops
flight-free. hosting solar panels, plants and vegetable gardens.
Transformative changes to our global food patterns
Take a diet challenge such as Veganuary with a shift from industrial agriculture and much
to reduce your intake of meat and dairy less dependency on meat-heavy diets will preserve
products. Choose organic and local foods. biodiversity and reduce the chance of zoonotic
Plan meals to reduce food was te . diseases such as COVID-19 developing.
Volunteer for or support a women’s rights charity. Find out
more about PM’s Empower to Plan projects that support Increased awareness around the key
small grassroots NGOs in empowering girls, women and issues will lead to greater women’s
communities through the delivery of family planning empowerment, smaller families, better
and environmental conservation services, using the lives and a healthier planet.
power of crowdfunding.
Reduce, reuse, recycle. Reducing personal footprints inspires those around you
Buy less. to make positive choices. Politicians recognise there is
genuine concern about the environmental impact of
consumption and are taking action.
Celebrate small families, only children, and
those who choose to adopt or be childfree. Choosing to have smaller families
Engage in discussions about why these are or be childfree is normalised.
positive choices.
Seek out, learn from and amplify Shared understanding and respect for the
the voices and experiences of challenges faced by people everywhere.
people in the Global South. Collaboration across the world
promotes sustainable solutions.
The economy is focused on sustainability
Support campaigns and wellbeing, not growth, to alleviate
for global justice. poverty and move towards global equality.
Campaign! Understand the issues, bust There is government-level support and
the myths, take action, sign petitions, add cooperation to work together on an
your voice as a campaigner for positive international level so that a sustainable
change that benefits people and planet. population co-exists in harmony with nature and
prospers on a healthy planet, to the benefit of all.
----- End of picture text -----

7

Population Matters | Annual Report 20/21

CONTEXT, CHALLENGES AND GLOBAL EVENTS

JULY 2020

WHAT BABY BUST?

JANUARY 2021

ENDING THE GLOBAL GAG

Population projections published in The Lancet are lower than UN figures and prompt inaccurate media headlines about a “baby bust”.

Joe Biden becomes US president and reverses the Trump Administration’s obstruction of family planning and reproductive rights, including ending the infamous ‘Global Gag rule’.

AUGUST 2020

UNDERFUNDING CONTRACEPTION IS A FALSE ECONOMY

New report finds additional annual $5.5bn investment would resolve the unmet need of over 200 million women worldwide for modern contraception and save $16bn in $16bn health care costs.

$5.5bn

JANUARY 2021

“A GHASTLY FUTURE”

Major science paper co‑authored by PM Patron Paul Ehrlich warns of “a ghastly future” for humanity unless action is taken.

FEBRUARY 2021

ACTION NEEDED ON BIODIVERSITY LOSS

Major UK Government report by PM Patron Sir Partha Dasgupta identifies population as a driver of biodiversity loss and calls for positive action.

8

Acknowledging the challenges. Pushing past pessimism. Dispelling false optimism. Identifying positive solutions. Offering a forward vision and better, possible future.

The challenges PM must confront and find creative, positive pathways through are considerable. In the sobering study authored by Corey Bradshaw, Population Matters Patron Paul Ehrlich and 15 other leading scientists, which reviewed more than 150 major studies on the state of our planet, the conclusion drawn was that future environmental conditions are on course to be far worse than generally believed.

Published in January 2021, the authors warned that without urgent action the world faces a “ghastly future” of catastrophic extinctions, climate disruption, and human suffering: “The problems, all tied to human consumption and population growth, will almost certainly worsen over coming decades. The damage will be felt for centuries and threatens the survival of all species, including our own.”

The report noted our tendency to think that bad things only happen to other people – known as ‘optimism bias’, which leads to people and politicians putting off individual lifestyle and systemic policy changes.

PM Patron and the world’s best-known voice and face of nature, Sir David Attenborough, highlighted this accelerating destruction of nature in A Life on Our Planet , broadcast on Netflix on October 2020.

A deeply personal and moving reflection on his life and 60-year career, bringing the wonders of the natural world into our living rooms, the film showed his growing disquiet, witnessing the most rapid, comprehensive destruction of wild species and places since the last mass extinction event that did for the dinosaurs.

In a particularly powerful sequence, the camera held its focus on his face and visible anguish at this emptying of Eden – more eloquent than

words. Addressing human population, Sir David promoted the same win-win solutions we campaign for at Population Matters, investing in education, empowering women, and raising people out of poverty: “Why wouldn’t we want to do these things? Giving people a greater opportunity of life is what we want to do anyway. The trick is to raise the standard of living around the world, without increasing our impact on that world.”

A skewed form of ‘optimism bias’ was at the fore in the media coverage of a study published in July 2020, carried out by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, which projected 50% fewer babies being born. Cue sensational headlines, with the BBC referring to a “jaw-dropping’ crash” in global births.

At first glance, the study’s figures are striking: global population peaking at 9.7 billion in 2064, then declining to 8.8 billion by 2100 – two billion fewer people than the mainstream UN projections.

PM would welcome any such natural decline – but the headlines obscure the fact that this would still mean two billion people added to our planet over the next 40 years. A deeper enquiry into the study revealed a whole range of projections, some of which are higher than the UN’s. The Washington study modelled population growth as if the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to education and contraception were achieved. However, as admitted by

9

Population Matters | Annual Report 20/21

CONTEXT, CHALLENGES AND GLOBAL EVENTS

----- Start of picture text -----
WHAT'S
MISSING?
No sustainable development
without a sustainable
population
----- End of picture text -----

the UN itself, only three out of 21 of the UN’s landmark environment and poverty reduction targets have been hit, with the majority on track to be missed by 2030. That’s why PM focused attention on the SDGs for our World Population Day activity.

Realistic appraisals of The Economics the facts, and grounding of Biodiversity: optimism within the context The Dasgupta Review of the daunting challenges facing humanity, were the mark of the report, The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review , published in February 2021, and also that from the influential UK Parliament Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), Biodiversity in the UK: bloom or bust?

growing influence over the past year. But so too is setting out our arguments and the evidence through our own research.

In 2021, we commissioned research from leading paediatrician, Professor Peter Le Souëf, and globalchange ecologist, Professor Corey Bradshaw, working with colleagues in the Global South, titled Population Futures . Starting from the accepted premise that children, especially in the poorest, least resilient countries are and will be most affected by climate change, population growth and ecosystem breakdown, this ground-breaking research will examine and propose the positive pathways and available solutions for mitigating those impacts – for the good of future generations.

POPULATION FUTURES: Mapping the way

PM submitted evidence to both and both acknowledged population growth and its impacts, with the EAC directly referencing our evidence. Acknowledgement of the relevance of PM’s concerns and referencing of the evidence we collate by policymakers and other bodies is a sign of our

10

LET’S GIVE NATURE SOME SPACE...

“Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrow’s reality.”

Malala Yousafzai , Pakistani activist for female education and a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

“I’ve travelled the globe documenting the most magnificent natural spectacles the world has to offer. But my decadeslong career has shown me first-hand how the pressures on the natural world have changed. These pressures are driven by humankind’s growing population.”

Gordon Buchanan , Wildlife filmmaker, PM Patron and Patron for the Environmental Justice Foundation

“It doesn’t make sense that we don’t talk about population growth. Even though more people are recognising its importance in relation to environmental protection, there’s still a stigma. In discussing the links between population growth and conservation, you must start with the key issue of women being able to have control over their own bodies.”

Sara Inés Lara , Founder and Executive Director of Women for Conservation, which empowers rural women in Colombia to protect endangered species and halt habitat destruction

OUR STRATEGY, VISION AND MISSION

----- Start of picture text -----
Women for Conservation, Colombia
----- End of picture text -----

WHEN IT COMES TO OUR HUMAN POPULATION ON THIS ONE, HABITABLE PLANET, LESS IS MORE

INFORMED BY EXPERTS

Population Matters’ strategy is informed by input from our Expert Advisory Group, Patrons and other key stakeholders and partners. We also draw on research and contacts through the Journal of Population and Sustainability , our editorially independent, interdisciplinary, academic journal, which explores all aspects of the relationship between human population and environmental sustainability.

We work to a rolling three-year strategic plan, annually evaluated to ensure we’re on-track, aware of the best available, current evidence, and can adjust our focus and activities accordingly.

GROUNDED IN SCIENCE

As PM’s 30-year record proves, we’re in for the long-haul. We’re seeing positive shifts in awareness and attitudes globally, have identified leverage points, and are gaining the support of a growing

12

MORE SPACE FOR NATURE, FOR OTHER SPECIES, FOR LIFE‑SUPPORTING ECOSYSTEMS

body of scientists, organisations and individuals who share our analysis. This is exemplified in the recent ‘World Scientists’ Warning’ issued by close to 15,000 scientists from 160 countries, which highlighted the need to address human population growth alongside excessive consumption.

The scientific facts and outcomes of ongoing population growth and overconsumption, catastrophic climate change and accelerating loss of biodiversity, are stark. The way we humans live and run our societies and economies is undermining the natural systems on which all life depends, ultimately that of our own species.

A CATALYST FOR CHANGE

PM’s purpose is to catalyse positive change, translating the science and research into persuasive communications, to offer a vision and narrative that people can aspire to, identify with, and believe is achievable.

MORE OPPORTUNITY, INCREASED WELLBEING AND FAIRER SHARES FOR PEOPLE EVERYWHERE

CONNECTING THE ISSUES

While we’re primarily concerned with the population of humans, we include and consider ALL the factors. By addressing human population, we can help reduce overconsumption, increase the life opportunities of some of the poorest people globally, and reduce the pressure on wildlife and natural habitats.

PUSHING FOR A FAIRER WORLD

A vital first step is to enable the hundreds of millions of girls and women worldwide to have access to education and to meet their need for safe, modern family planning – so they can choose when and how many children or have or not. This is a basic human right, bringing better life chances, health, and wellbeing for those women and the children they choose to have. It is also critical to raising countries out of poverty.

Population Matters | Annual Report 20/21 13

OUR STRATEGY, VISION AND MISSION

----- Start of picture text -----
CASE STUDY: Costa Rica –
offering a ‘greenprint’
for the world
----- End of picture text -----

Just 60 years ago, Costa Rica fulfilled the negative criteria of a lower income country, with GDP per capita a mere $380, an average life expectancy of 60, and with one of the world’s fastest population growth rates at 3.8%. Consequently, the government struggled to provide adequate healthcare and education, making it difficult for people to escape poverty. Unsustainable logging for quick profit slashed forest cover from 75% to 17%.

Today, Costa Rica is a country transformed. Its GDP per capita has grown to over $12,000, life expectancy is about 80 (comparable to much wealthier countries) – and the average birthrate is under two children. Costa Ricans enjoy high standards of education, one of the world’s most effective primary healthcare systems, and the country is rated the ‘happiest’ in the Global South.

In terms of nature recovery, Costa Rica was the first tropical country to reverse deforestation – more than half of its land is now restored to rainforest

How did Costa Rica achieve such dramatic changes in just a couple of generations? A range of progressive government policies on biodiversity protection and higher education spending played a role, but one important and underrated factor was its non-coercive family planning programme which simultaneously lifted families out of poverty whilst also relieving pressure on natural resources.

Costa Rica’s family planning movement actively promoted smaller families. Through mass communication and house visits – particularly important in rural areas – nurses, social workers, and priests explained to couples that having fewer children would enable them to save more money and enjoy more leisure time. This approach worked: Costa Rica now has Latin America’s highest rate of contraception usage at 80%, and one of the region’s lowest birth rates. As a result, both people and nature are flourishing.

Source: World Health Organisation, 2010

Inspired by positive stories such as Costa Rica’s, PM is working to replicate this through our 4-point strategy:

1. ‘Bending down’ the global population curve so that our overall human numbers peak at or below the UN’s low projection of 7.3 billion by 2100.

Achieving this is possible if people are enabled to choose and realise the benefits of having smaller families.

2. Ensuring it’s culturally normal, practically possible, and personally desirable for women everywhere to choose smaller families.

This means ending the current unmet need of more than 270 million women worldwide for safe, modern family planning by 2040.

3. Getting the population factor and solutions widely accepted as key for easing climate and biodiversity emergencies, and for boosting human development and wellbeing.

An analysis of climate change solutions by Project Drawdown ranks education and family planning as the second most impactful of its top 10 workable solutions to combat climate change available today, cutting more CO2 emissions than from all onshore and offshore wind power combined.

4. Having a global impact

Population is a global issue, with different challenges and solutions appropriate for different parts of the world, for individual countries, their cultures

and societies. That’s why PM works with partner organisations, grassroots community groups, and individuals across the world through our Empower to Plan practical project funding programme.

14

ACTIVITIES AND PERFORMANCE

JULY 2020

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS A SUSTAINABLE POPULATION

----- Start of picture text -----
TM
----- End of picture text -----

Hitting the targetsThe case for ethical and empowering population policies to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals

PM’s Hitting the Targets Sustainable Sustainable Development Goals Development Goals report and video released.

NOVEMBER 2020

PEOPLE WANT ACTION ON EXTINCTIONS

PM poll shows 91% of people are concerned about biodiversity loss and want the same or more priority on species loss as on climate change.

MAY 2021

THE FIGHT TO RESTORE OVERSEAS AID

UK government cuts overseas aid and then funding to UNFPA by 85% – PM launches supporter email action in response.

MAY 2021

YOUNG PEOPLE BACK SMALLER FAMILIES FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Three‑in‑ten young people in the UK want fewer children because of environmental concerns, according to a PM poll.

MAY 2021

THE IMPACT OF POPULATION ON BIODIVERSITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

PM’s Why population matters for biodiversity and Why population Why Population Matters for Why Population Matters for matters for climate Biodiversity Climate Change change briefings are released.

MAY 2021

PM CAMPAIGN CELEBRATES POSITIVE CHOICES

PM’s Choice Manifesto is launched – enabling people from across the world to commit to celebrating small families and helping to empower others to have the same freedoms.

JUNE 2021 MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT RECOGNISE POPULATION GROWTH TO BE A DRIVER OF BIODIVERSITY LOSS

UK parliamentary committee backs Population Matters’ call to restore family planning aid to protect biodiversity.

15

Population Matters | Annual Report 20/21

ACTIVITIES AND PERFORMANCE

Our campaign focus was the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the set of 17 targets that the global community aims to achieve by 2030 to ensure good lives for all on a healthy planet – targets looking increasingly likely to be missed.

----- Start of picture text -----
TM
----- End of picture text -----

Despite the challenges of coronavirus, we were able to adapt our campaigns approach, and this year saw a higher level of activity from Population Matters than ever before.

THE CAMPAIGNING YEAR

Falling on 11 July, the UN’s World Population Day is the springboard of each reporting year for Population Matters. In 2019, we marked it with events in London, Lagos and New York. For 2020, a very different approach was needed. Our campaign focus was the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the set of 17 targets that the global community aims to achieve by 2030 to ensure good lives for all on a healthy planet – targets looking increasingly likely to be missed.

Hitting the targets The case for ethical and empowering population policies to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals

The PM team researched and produced a fully referenced 20-page report – Hitting the Targets – examining how population action could help achieve each goal, and released a short, animated video, summarising the issues. The report was distributed to hundreds of agencies, individuals and politicians, and the video watched thousands of times.

On the day itself, we were honoured to coordinate an online panel discussion addressing the wider issues of population, women’s empowerment and the SDGs, featuring experts and campaigners from India, Kenya and the US.

We continued to focus campaigning and policy work on biodiversity and, in particular, the new international agreement for protecting nature, the Post-2020 Framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Submitting evidence and reports to the process, we also lobbied MPs and conducted a UK poll finding that 91% of respondents are concerned about species loss, and two-thirds want action on it to have as high a priority as climate change. We published two authoritative briefings, assembling the most compelling recent

16

OUR SUPPORTERS TOOK NEARLY 4 000 , CAMPAIGN ACTIONS VIA OUR WEBSITE

evidence on the links between population and climate change and population and biodiversity loss.

We also published a briefing on the unmet need for modern family planning – just before an unexpected campaign focus for the year arose when the UK government slashed its contribution to the United Nations Population Fund, which provides contraception in low-income countries. Within days of the UNFPA decision, PM launched an online action, allowing hundreds of supporters to contact the responsible government minister directly – to the best of our knowledge, the only campaigning organisation to do so.

In June 2021, these two campaigns came together when the UK parliament’s highly influential Environmental Audit Committee backed our call for restoration of family planning aid in a major report. The committee specifically cited our evidence and argument that population pressure is a major threat to biodiversity and that family planning aid improves people’s lives and protects biodiversity.

The linkage between the additional benefits to the environment from addressing sexual and

reproductive rights is critical to our mission. This intervention by the committee was a strong endorsement of our approach.

The principle of people having the right and means to choose smaller families, and understanding the benefit this brings, is at the heart of all our work. In May, we launched our Choice Manifesto, an opportunity for people to declare their commitment to everyone’s right to choose the family size they want, and to considering a smaller family when making their own decisions. The declaration also invites people to talk about their own choice, and the response was outstanding, with hundreds submitting testimonies and stories, which we continue to share online.

To accompany the Choice Manifesto, we commissioned a major opinion poll on attitudes to family size in the UK. Among its many findings was that three-in-ten 18 to 24-year-olds want to have fewer or no children because of their concerns about the environment, and the environmental effects of having children. Sadly, it also showed that women continue to feel more strongly judged than men for being childfree, and that there is still

17

Population Matters | Annual Report 20/21

ACTIVITIES AND PERFORMANCE

a stigma attached to only children. The poll featured in national media, and continues to inform our messaging and strategy on smaller families.

THE MEDIA YEAR

With the media continuing to be dominated by the pandemic, the number of media stories featuring PM directly was lower than in recent years. However, extensive coverage in the Latin American press, obtained with the assistance of our Population Matters Español colleagues, was a further reflection of our international reach – for the first time, more stories appeared in non-UK press featuring Population Matters, than in the UK press.

The year also saw a reminder of the challenges that the population cause faces, with an unbalanced attack by commentator George Monbiot in The Guardian . Following persistent pressure, the paper published our director’s measured, evidence-based and concise ‘Right to Reply’, along with a link to our more extensive blog asserting the progressive and compassionate case for addressing population. This became one of our most read website stories of 2020.

Media interest in people choosing smaller families, or to be childfree, for environmental reasons continued over the year, with many journalists contacting us to connect them with people who have made that choice.

THE DIGITAL YEAR

This year, more than any so far, the quality of our online presence has been vital. With no opportunity to stage public events, an already-planned upgrade of our supporter and membership website pages proved timely, and with new content added weekly, we saw the number of website visitors increase to 823,000 this year. Even more importantly, our reach is truly international, with those visitors coming from more than 200 countries.

Our social media platforms continued to thrive, with followers of the Instagram account we created last year increasing by more than a third. We were also among the first to recognise the opportunities presented by webinars, following up our World Population Day panel discussion with three further such events over the year, attracting more than 6,000 participants and viewers.

We continued to use our platform to amplify the voices of friends and partners across the world, with interviews and guest blogs from India, Pakistan, the US and Uganda, among others.

18

“Girls and women continue to suffer from gender discrimination in much of the world. Women’s rights are key. Fertility rates remain high where women’s status is low.”

Dr Yasmeen Sabeeh Qazi , Senior Advocacy Advisor on Family Planning for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

“To have or not have children is a human right that everybody should be able to exercise without judgment or criticism. If you decide you don’t want children, you should be able to make that choice. Yet, women continue to face pressure to have babies and it’s explicitly encouraged by most religions and a number of national governments.”

“We should redouble our efforts to secure rights-based family planning policies and programmes and ensure they’re available to individual women on a regional scale. By slowing population growth, there’s the potential to avert 85 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”

Alisha Graves , Founder and Executive Director of OASIS, which works to advance education and choice for women and girls in the Sahel, and member of PM’s Expert Advisory Group

Maxine Trump , film maker, whose documentary, To Kid or Not To Kid , is the first English language feature on making the choice to be childfree

AUDIENCES AND STAKEHOLDERS

Our activities in education, research and advocacy continue to contribute to the achievement of a sustainable human population, and thus, environmental sustainability.

We continue to extend our global reach by developing partnerships with international organisations, including grassroots community groups that share our values.

The impact of the global pandemic cannot be understated, which of course extended to our ability to campaign here in the UK and travel internationally. However, such restrictions did not prevent us from reaching our supporters across the world via online webinars and Q&As (see pages 16-18).

WE COMMISSIONED OUR FIRST PRIMARY RESEARCH

In 2021, we commissioned research from leading paediatrician, Professor Peter Le Souëf, and globalchange ecologist, Professor Corey Bradshaw, in collaboration with others in the Global South. Population Futures – the first primary research directly commissioned by Population Matters – seeks to develop positive pathways for mitigating the impact of climate change for children in the poorest, least resilient countries, who will be most affected by it (see page 10).

WE LAUNCHED OUR CHOICE MANIFESTO

This year, we also launched our new Choice Manifesto as part of our ongoing Smaller Families campaign. So far, people from 42 countries have declared their commitment to planning for a small family size and empowering others to have the same freedom of choice.

----- Start of picture text -----
Natalija and family, Global Small
Family supporters, The Netherlands
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
KOMB GREEN Solutions, Kenya
----- End of picture text -----

EMPOWER TO PLAN – PROVIDING VITAL GRASSROOTS SUPPORT

We have also continued to develop relationships with inspiring grassroots groups that share our values through Empower to Plan. Of equal importance to enhancing our global voice with large international organisations and academics, these community partnerships help to improve the lives of women, girls and entire communities, safeguard human rights, and protect the natural world.

Empower to Plan’s mission is to empower women and girls across the world to make a choice on their reproductive health freely. When women are empowered with the contraception, knowledge and freedom to take control of their fertility, a natural fall in birthrate follows. By lowering birth rates worldwide through positive and ethical means, we will be able to ensure the protection of the planet, its finite resources, species and ecosystems.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

Our overarching strategy (see pages 12-14) outlines how we aim to meet our charitable purposes, aims and objectives. Details of the activities we have undertaken during the last year and their impact can be found on pages 15-18.. The Board believes that our activities in education, research and advocacy continue to contribute to the achievement of a sustainable human population, and thus, environmental sustainability. This provides clear public benefit, especially given the growing relevancy of the issue among our global audiences. In addition, the Board can confirm it has due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission in compliance with the duty in section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011, in exercising their powers and duties.

20

CASE STUDY

Family planning in Uganda – removing the stigma

CASE STUDY

Sex education in the UK – supporting young people through the pandemic

Population Matters’ global partnerships help us support practical and uplifting on‑the‑ground education and healthcare solutions to improve the lives of women, girls and entire communities.

women to take control of their lives and reproductive choices.

Grassroots healthcare provider, Family Medical Point (FMP), has been serving the marginalised fishing communities and slums of Abaita Ababiri, Uganda, since 2017 through providing practical family planning interventions to increase access to contraception and sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH).

With support from Empower to Plan, FMP was able to transform the attitudes of its communities and champion the safe delivery of family planning services through the implementation of a twopart behaviour change and intervention campaign. Part one included the training of 20 on-the-ground peer educators (17 women and three men) to deliver SRH and contraception workshops to men and women in the community.

In Uganda, gender-based violence prevalence rates are among the highest in the world. Amongst women of reproductive age surveyed in 2016, over half had experienced physical violence and one-quarter had experienced sexual violence in their lifetimes. FMP therefore also seeks to remove the stigma surrounding contraception use in its communities, reduce violence towards women associated with uptake of family planning services, and empower

The second part saw the development and production of an inspiring drama show broadcast on a local radio station, featuring empowered female characters, consensual relationships, and the use of family planning services without judgement or stigma.

found that almost one-third of teachers had received no training to deliver highquality content, so accessible online resources for both teachers and students are vital.

The vital work of You Before Two was impacted by Covid-19, with face-toface workshops in the English midlands cancelled and expected funding removed. Sessions transferred online, but this highlighted the need for a more sophisticated website and online resource area, with educational content to help teachers and pupils enrich their learning and share ideas from afar.

With emergency support from Empower to Plan during the pandemic, Founder Dr Rebecca Foljambe has been able to accelerate her ambition for expanding online and in-person workshops nationally. The success of You Before Two’s eight-week RSE programme for boys and girls (focusing on essential information on contraception and healthy relationships but with a session on

You Before Two’s mission is to educate and empower girls and boys in Nottinghamshire – one of the most deprived parts of the UK, where teenage pregnancy rates are still high and there is less access to abortion services. Lessons in relationships and sex education (RSE) are now statutory in UK secondary schools, but a recent survey

the issue of unsustainable population growth), is just one important example of how Population Matter’s Empower to Plan partners are making a real difference on-the-ground.

21

Population Matters | Annual Report 20/21

AUDIENCES AND STAKEHOLDERS

OUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS

We are delighted to count on the support of more than 23,000 people from 125 different countries who receive our monthly email updates, and of course many thousands of others who follow our campaigns via social media and share our content. This provides us with a much broader reach – one that we might not be able to achieve alone.

The continued support of our members around the world truly underpins our work. Without their dedication and generosity, it would not be possible for the team to produce our campaigns, develop our website to look, feel and behave in line with peer organisations’, and grasp every opportunity to talk about population – in the media, at events or in briefing papers circulated to those we know are working towards the same, better future.

Our first annual supporter and member survey was circulated in December 2020, and we were pleased to receive a significant amount of feedback from those who receive our monthly email update (628) and members who support us financially (403) – collectively voicing opinions on our work from 47 different countries. It was great to have this opportunity for people to tell us how we’re doing and take our pulse from an external viewpoint.

OUR CATALYST MEMBERS

In order to recognise the support of our most generous members (who give at least £600 towards our campaigns annually), we launched our new twotier membership in March 2020. Given we do not receive any income from government or contracts, the importance of the continued financial support from all our members – and the following catalyst members in particular – cannot be understated. It is their support that underpins our continued growth and development as a catalyst organisation making a better future possible in partnership with others.

Our sincere thanks to: Mrs Kate Balderson , Ms Janet Beal, Dr P Bermingham, Mr Scott Carlton, Mr Clive Catherall, Mr Edward Coleman, Mr L Dimery, Emeritus Professor John Guillebaud, Dr Reza Hossain, Mr Christopher Lawson, Mr François Micheli, Dr Michele Nicastri, Mr Norman Pasley, Hugh Rattray, Jeff Richards, Mr Iain Richardson, Professor Caroline Series FRS, Mr Nigel Stevenson, Dr Hoon Seong Teo, John Tippler and 28 others who wish to remain anonymous.

We would also like to extend our thanks to the Rufford Foundation for their ongoing, generous support.

----- Start of picture text -----
Women for Conservation, Colombia
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
Engaging with attendees
at a vegan festival, UK
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
Dandelion Africa, Kenya
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
PM stall at a local event
----- End of picture text -----

22

AUDIENCES AND STAKEHOLDERS

823 690 , website visitors

3 898 , online campaign actions by supporters

new 6,000+ 43 catalyst members views each giving at least of our webinars £600 annually to support our campaigns

36% increase in Instagram followers

32% increase in YouTube subscribers

779 new members

£47,082 £13,995 raised for our raised for Empower Make It Possible to Plan projects

raised for our 1991 2021 Make It Possible appeal to celebrate 30 years Population Matters 30th anniversary #MAKEITPOSSIBLE

OUR PATRONS

We are honoured to count the following individuals as our Patrons. With their varied expertise and passion for both people and the environment, each individual provides endorsement for our work. Collectively, our Patrons give greater credence to the issue of population concern and help further our vision and mission through their high-profile, visible support.

Sir David Attenborough

OM CH CVO CBE FRS FZS FRA

Internationally respected naturalist, broadcaster and presenter of several seminal series including Life on Earth, Blue Planet and Our Planet

“The human population can no longer be allowed to grow in the same old uncontrolled way. If we do not take charge of our population sitze, then nature will do it for us, and it is the poor people of the world who will suffer most.”

Dame Jane Goodall PhD DBE

Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace

“It’s our population growth that underlies just about every single one of the problems that we’ve inflicted on the planet. If there were just a few of us, then the nasty things we do wouldn’t really matter and Mother Nature would take care of it – but there are so many of us.”

Chris Packham

Naturalist, nature photographer, television presenter and author

“There’s no point bleating about the future of pandas, polar bears and tigers when we’re not addressing the one single factor that’s putting more pressure on the ecosystem than any other – namely the ever-increasing size of the world’s population.”

Leilani Münter

Ex‑race car driver, childfree champion and environmental campaigner

Jonathon Porritt CBE

Director of Forum for the Future, former Chair of the UK Sustainable Development Commission, President of Population Matters

Prof Sir Partha Dasgupta FRS FBA

Frank Ramsey Professor of Economics, University of Cambridge

Prof Paul Ehrlich ForMemRS

Bing Professor of Population Studies, Stanford University

Prof John Guillebaud

Emeritus Professor of Family Planning and Reproductive Health, University College, London, and Medical Director, Margaret Pyke Centre for Family Planning

Gordon Buchanan MBE

Wildlife filmmaker and presenter. He was presented with an MBE for services to charity and wildlife conservation.

Adrian Hayes

Record‑breaking polar explorer and adventurer, speaker, coach, campaigner and author

Malcolm Potts MB BChir PhD FRCOG

Professor in Maternal and Child Health and former holder of the Fred H. Bixby Endowed Chair in Population and Family Planning of the University of California

Sara Parkin OBE

Principal Associate of The Sustainability Literacy Project, Co‑ founder of Forum for the Future, Chair of the Richard Sandbrook Trust

Judy Ling Wong

Hon President of Black Environment Network (BEN), focused on integrating environmental, social and cultural issues in the context of sustainable development.

Susan Hampshire OBE

Actress and population campaigner

James Lovelock CH CBE FRS PhD

Originator of the Gaia Theory

24

OUR EXPERT ADVISORY GROUP

Our Expert Advisory Group (EAG) gives us an independent perspective on our strategy, performance, and major decisions. We are fortunate to have attracted independent experts from across the world and a wide range of disciplines to join the EAG, whose expertise and advice we can draw upon.

Dr Muhtari Aminu-Kano

Currently Director‑ General of the Nigerian

Conservation Foundation, his previous positions include Assistant Director, Lake Chad Research Institute, Maiduguri; Project Director, Hadejia‑Nguru Wetlands Project, Nigeria; and as Senior Adviser on Policy & Advocacy at the Birdlife International Secretariat, Cambridge.

Wendo Aszed

Founder and Executive Director of Dandelion Africa, a grassroots organisation in Kenya focused on women’s health and economic empowerment, providing economic and skills training, and health information to young people. Dandelion Africa is partnered with PM through our innovative Empower to Plan programme.

Prof Ugo Bardi Teaches physical chemistry at

the University of Florence, engaging in research on sustainability and energy with a special view on mineral resources, circular economy, and recycling. He is a member of the Club of Rome and chief editor of the Springer journal Biophysical Economics and Resource Quality .

Dr Patrick Curry A tutor at the University of Wales Trinity St

David and former lecturer at the universities of Bath Spa and Kent, and author of Ecological Ethics: An Introduction. He is also the editor‑ in‑chief of the online journal The Ecological Citizen .

Prof Herman Daly

Professor Emeritus at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. From 1988 to 1994 he was Senior Economist in the Environment Department of the World Bank. Prior to that he was alumni Professor of Economics at Louisiana State University, teaching economics for 20 years.

Dr Edu Effiom

Assistant Director with the Nigerian Cross River Forestry

Commission, where she heads the Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and Sustainable Forest Project Unit. A Councillor with the Association of Tropical Biology and Conservation, she currently chairs its Africa Chapter.

Dr Rebecca Foljambe

A GP with special interest in Family Planning and Women’s Health, she set‑up You Before Two, a charity which encourages and enables young women to consider their own education, life choices and autonomy. PM has worked in partnership with You Before Two through our Empower to Plan programme.

Dr Jane O’Sullivan Honorary Senior Fellow at School of

Agriculture and Food Sciences and Faculty of Science, University of Queensland. Executive Committee member of Sustainable Population Australia.

Alisha Graves

President of the California‑based non‑profit OASIS,

and co‑founder of the OASIS Initiative at University of California, Berkeley, an organisation that aims to advance education and choice for women and girls in the Sahel.

Laurel Hanscom

CEO of the Global Footprint Network, leading its overall

operations and strategy. Since joining GFN, Laurel has worn various hats, but she has a particular passion for its open data platform and sustainable development projects.

Graeme Maxton Specialising in environmental and sustainable

economics, Graeme also, co‑ authored Reinventing Prosperity with Jorgen Randers. He was Secretary‑General of the Club of Rome from 2014‑18 and remains a Full Member. He is an Advisory Board Member for the UN’s Economic Commission for Europe Pathways Project.

Prof Fred Naggs Scientific Associate at the Natural History Museum, having retired after 42 years at the museum in September 2016, and visiting professor at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok.

Prof William Rees

Population ecologist, ecological economist, Professor Emeritus and former Director of the University of British Columbia’s School of Community and Regional Planning.

William Ryerson

Founder and President of Population Media Center (PMC), an

organisation that strives to improve the health and wellbeing of people around the world through the use of entertainment‑ education strategies. He also serves as Chair of The Population Institute in Washington, DC.

Prof Jeroen Van Den Bergh ICREA Professor at the Institute of

Environmental Science and Technology of Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and Professor of Environmental and Resource Economics at VU University, Amsterdam.

Prof Peter Wadhams

Professor of Ocean Physics and Head of

the Polar Ocean Physics Group in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (University of Cambridge). President of the International Association for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans Commission on Sea Ice and Coordinator for the International Programme for Antarctic Buoys. He is author of A Farewell to Ice – an authoritative account of our shrinking polar ice.

25

Population Matters | Annual Report 20/21

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

Where we received our income from and what we spent it on

----- Start of picture text -----
Campaigning
Donations
Raising
awareness
£ Grants
Research
Legacies
Fundraising
Other
Income
£839,964
Expenditure
£845,603
----- End of picture text -----

INCOME

Income from all sources rose this year, with the 44% increase in donations and related gift aid reflecting both our increasing profile and the effectiveness of our nascent fundraising strategy, which also contributed to a three-fold rise in grant income. Legacy income continues to make an important contribution but a focus on locking in regular giving, at the same time as diversifying our income streams, will enable us to plan more effectively.

EXPENDITURE

We use our resources to further our charitable aims for the public benefit; to that end, we analyse our expenditure in relation to our three charitable objectives, which effectively translate into campaigning (to bring about change), raising awareness (education of the public) and research (into population sustainability). Raising awareness of the issue remains a key part of what we do but in the last year, we have significantly increased expenditure on research that will help to underpin our increasingly targeted campaigning activities.

OUR REGULAR DONOR BASE CONTINUES TO EXPAND, WITH CONTRIBUTIONS COMING FROM SUPPORTERS IN AROUND 50 COUNTRIES

----- Start of picture text -----
Gibraltar Hong Kong Isle of Man
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
26
----- End of picture text -----

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2021

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted 2021 Total 2020 Total
funds (£) funds (£) funds (£) funds (£)
INCOME FROM
Donations 504,609 39,867 544,476 377,711
Gift aid tax 61,193 6,273 67,466 47,855
Grants 73,480 ‑ 73,480 23,725
Legacies 150,673 ‑ 150,673 59,169
Other trading activities 117 ‑ 117 576
Investment income 3,752 ‑ 3,752 6,580
TOTAL 793,824 46,140 839,964 515,616
EXPENDITURE ON
Fundraising 89,226 ‑ 89,226 53,412
Campaigning 329,113 11,640 340,753 299,677
Raising awareness 301,725 14,914 316,639 284,117
Research 69,483 29,503 98,986 35,843
TOTAL 789,547 56,057 845,604 673,049
NET INCOME/
4,277 (9,917) (5,640) (157,433 )
(EXPENDITURE)
RECONCILIATION OF
FUNDS
Total funds brought
758,930 40,958 799,888 957,321
forward
TOTAL FUNDS
763,207 31,041 794,248 799,888
CARRIED FORWARD
----- End of picture text -----

Notes and further information are included in the full financial statements, which are available on request.

----- Start of picture text -----
Jersey
----- End of picture text -----

27

Population Matters | Annual Report 20/21

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

REVIEW OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Although the impact of Covid-19 was felt throughout the financial year, its effect was primarily on expenditure, causing the delay of a number of planned activities including our seminal conference Boom or Bust? Economy, wellbeing and population . Income, on the other hand, was buoyant.

This reflects the fact that, in contrast to some in the sector, Population Matters isn’t reliant on community fundraising or trading activities and so hasn’t felt the Covid-related restrictions on such activities. Although some supporters cancelled their regular giving for financial reasons, this has been more than offset by contributions from new supporters, as well as those increasing their level of giving.

This resilience was reflected in total income, which rose by £324,348 in the year to 30 June 2021, while expenditure increased by £172,555, resulting in a small deficit of £5,640, compared with a deficit of £157,433 in the previous year. As a result, total reserves were relatively unchanged, declining from £799,888 at 30 June 2020 to £794,248 at 30 June 2021.

Unrestricted reserves at the year-end amounted to £763,207, considerably in excess of the minimum level of £330,000 required by the charity’s reserves policy.

However, if Covid-19 hadn’t curtailed charitable activities during the year, reserves would have been run down further as the Board had approved a deficit budget in pursuance of our strategic objectives.

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

Income grew year on year by £324,348 (63%) to £839,964, with regular and one-off donations playing a significant role. Our fundraising activities have focused on diversifying our income streams with campaign-focused

appeals and increased targeting of grant-making trusts, while our regular donor base continues to expand, both numerically and geographically, with contributions during the year coming from supporters in around 50 countries.

Expenditure increased overall by £172,555 (26%) to £845,603. Spending has been allocated to the three principal areas of campaigning (to bring about change), raising awareness (education of the public) and research (into population sustainability), all of which rose during the year.

Research saw the greatest increase with expenditure rising by 176% to £98,986, as we commissioned our own independent research to evaluate the feasibility of achieving a population future at (or ideally, below) the United Nation’s (UN) low projection of 7.3 billion by 2100.

We have also increased expenditure on fundraising, up 67% to £89,226, having committed resources to our first permanent, in house, fundraiser – and with each £1 spent on fundraising during the year generating £9.37 in income.

We have continued to develop our website and other communication tools, helping to raise the profile of Population Matters and the issue of population sustainability, as well as supporting our campaigning and fundraising activities.

RESERVES

The purpose of reserves is to ensure sufficient funds for the continuing operation of the organisation in the event of a drop in income or of other risks manifesting and to enable it to take advantage of unforeseen opportunities.

It is especially important for a growing charity such as Population Matters that both the reserves policy itself and the level of reserves are regularly reviewed, particularly given the continued disruptions caused by Covid-19.

Following the most recent review, the Board has determined that the minimum level of unrestricted reserves required to meet its objectives is £330,000. The figure equates to approximately six months’ planned expenditure or, alternatively, sufficient to cover the difference between core income and core costs for one year.

At the year-end, unrestricted reserves were £763,207, £433,207 in excess of the minimum required level, of which £87,567 represents a legacy that has been recognised in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles but has not yet been received.

Excluding this amount, unrestricted reserves at the year-end amounted to £675,640, £345,640 in excess of the minimum amount required by the agreed reserves policy. The Board has approved the use of some of these excess reserves in the forthcoming year to advance the charity’s strategic aims and plan to run a deficit in the year 2021/22.

INVESTMENTS

We hold an investment of £100,000 in a CAF Socially Responsible Portfolio with BMO Global Asset Management and we have cash funds spread across a number of deposit-taking institutions, with over 50% of our cash funds held with CAF Bank and Triodos.

The investment objective is to provide the best overall return for our funds consistent with an acceptable level of risk and to protect the real value of our reserves.

Our investment policy is available on request and addresses risk, asset allocation, liquidity requirements, time requirements and ethical considerations.

At the year-end, the market value of these investments was £183,100, an increase of £32,329 on the opening value of £150,771 and an increase of £83,100 (83 %) on the original investment.

28

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND RISK

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

Population Matters is controlled by its governing document and constitutes a

limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. Until 2011, Population Matters was known as Optimum Population Trust, which remains the registered name.

Our Articles of Association were amended by Special Resolution on 28 November 2020, after an extensive consultation exercise with our guarantor membership.

As a result, the charity has now moved to a ‘Foundation Model’ structure in which Trustees are also company law (guarantor) members, and the charity has no other company law members.

This represents a change from the previous, relatively unusual, structure in which around 150 of the charity’s 3,000 paying supporters were the guarantor members.

BOARD ACTIVITIES AND COMPOSITION

The Board meets quarterly to review the strategy and performance of Population Matters. All meetings during the year were held virtually due to Covid.

To facilitate effective operations, the Board has delegated authority to the Executive Director, supported by the senior management team, for the management and implementation of operational strategy, staff, operations, finance, risk and governance.

There are two Board sub-committees: the Finance, Risk, Investments and Audit Committee (FRIA), chaired by the Vice-Chair and the Nominations Committee, chaired by the Chair.

The amended Articles provide for Board trustees to be appointed for a fixed term of three years, renewable once before at least a one-year break, with a provision that allows a Board trustee to serve longer, subject to an annual review, if other Board trustees consider exceptional circumstances justify it.

This is a change from previously, when Board trustees were elected annually from and by the existing pool of some 150 guarantor members at the AGM.

In view of the exceptional

circumstances of the transition to the new Articles of Association, the Board recommended the appointment of Maggie Avison for a tenth consecutive year and of Stephen Bown and Harry Cripps for an eleventh year.

The recruitment of new Board trustees is managed by our Nominations Committee, using the widest possible networks and a rigorous appointment process, to ensure that we are finding Board trustees with the knowledge, experience and networks the charity needs to maximise its future impact.

As part of this process, three new Board trustees have been identified and will be joining the Board in the current financial year.

New Board trustees are provided with an induction to their role through the provision of a range of internal information and guidance relating to the charity, as well as direction to sources of best practice.

REMUNERATION

Staff remuneration is reviewed annually.

As part of a review of our human resources processes, we have introduced a salary grid based on a comparison of published salary scales to ensure that remuneration is consistent with that paid for similar roles in charities of a similar size.

Board trustees give their time voluntarily and are not remunerated other than for modest expenses.

No expenses were claimed by any Board trustees in the financial year. No Board trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year.

RISK

The Board has a duty to manage the charity’s resources responsibly and to ensure that there is an effective

risk management process in place. Board trustees are assisted in meeting their responsibilities by the Finance, Risk, Investment and Audit Committee (FRIA), which oversees the Risk Management Process, making recommendations regarding present and future risks.

Our Risk Register identifies the types of risks we face, rates them in terms of potential impact and likelihood and identifies risk management/mitigation measures – and is reviewed regularly.

An evaluation of new and changed risks forms part of the regular meetings of the senior management team and a review of principal risks is included in the papers of each Board meeting.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been less for Population Matters than some other charities: we’re not reliant on community fundraising or trading activities and have always been a virtual organisation although it has affected our campaigning activities.

The Board is particularly mindful of the threats and opportunities resulting from long-term social, cultural, economic, political and environmental changes brought about by the pandemic. In summary:

• We review and refresh our strategy regularly, ensuring that it is sufficiently flexible to enable us to take advantage of unexpected opportunities as they arise

• We reduce reputational risk through clear and firm rebuttal of any misrepresentation and false allegations and by the professionalisation of our communications

• We have a regular appraisal process which ensures that staff remain motivated and committed

• We regularly review our data practices, ensuring that key data and systems are backed up and we retain an external contractor to provide time-critical support

29

Population Matters | Annual Report 20/21

FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

OFFICERS DURING YEAR Chair – Sara Parkin OBE Vice Chair – Fiona McKenzie

Honorary Treasurer – Percy Kelland

Percy is a Chartered Accountant with more than 38 years’ experience in the voluntary and commercial sectors. He worked for 21 years for KPMG, six years at director level in industry, and 11 years as a self-employed business adviser.

TRUSTEES DURING YEAR

Maggie Avison

A freelance researcher, Maggie has been involved in the charity sector for more than 15 years and has worked at and volunteered with several animal welfare and environmental charities. Date of first appointment: 15/10/11 – Board meetings attended during year: 4 of 4

Stephen Bown

Emeritus Professor of Laser Medicine and Surgery and Director of the National Medical Laser Centre at University College London. Stephen is also an Honorary Consultant Gastroenterologist at University College Hospital. Date of first appointment: 07/11/09 – Board meetings attended during year: 4 of 4

Harry Cripps

A chemical engineer and chartered environmentalist with 40 years process industry experience, his career has included pollution control, water and waste minimisation, energy optimisation and development of environmentally sustainable technology. Date of first appointment: 07/11/09 – Board meetings attended during year: 4 of 4

John Davies

John is a retired teacher with experience in business. Involved in setting up Empower to Plan, he works to develop measurable, effective engagement with special reference to economic issues of transition to sustainability. Date of first appointment: 10/10/15 – Board meetings attended during year: 4 of 4

Rebecca Foljambe

Rebecca is an NHS GP with a special interest in Family Planning and Women’s Health. She is also the founder of You Before Two, a charity which empowers young women to value and protect their autonomy before making reproductive choices. Date of first appointment: 30/11/19 – Board meetings attended during year: 5 of 6

Pip Hayes

A semi-retired GP in Devon, Pip was a member of the PM Board previously and has recently re-joined. She is also a board member of the Tamar Faculty of the Royal College of General Practitioners and a non-executive board member of Devon Doctors. Date of first appointment: 06/10/18 – Board meetings attended during year: 3 of 4

Anna Hughes

Anna is a qualified teacher and is currently a director of Flight Free UK, which campaigns for a reduction in aviation. She has appeared in several media interviews representing PM and speaking about her decision to remain child-free.

Date of first appointment: 06/10/18 – Board meetings attended during year: 4 of 4

Fiona McKenzie

After working in investment banking, Fiona ran her own practice in alternative medicine and facilitated mezzanine financing deals. She has spent the last decade working on human/wildlife conflict-resolution projects and is a trustee of Global Canopy. Date of first appointment: 17/02/15 – Board meetings attended during year: 3 of 4

Emma Olliff

Emma is an ecologist focusing on farming and its future. She is working on a project called RegenerEat, which aims to build holistic food systems that reconnect people with their ecosystem. Date of first appointment: 21/10/97 – Board meetings attended during year: 4 of 4

Chris Padley

Chris is retired, a life-long campaigner on environmental issues. He was a Town Councillor for 27 years and twice Town Mayor. He managed the PM Letter Writers’ group for 10 years. Date of first appointment: 30/11/19 – Board meetings attended during year: 4 of 4

Sara Parkin OBE

Sara is Principal Associate of The Sustainability Literacy Project, Chair of the Richard Sandbrook Trust, and a Trustee of the St Andrews Prize and the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland. She is also author of several books and was Co-founder of Forum for the Future.

Date of first appointment: 18/06/19 – Board meetings attended during year: 4 of 4

Ascanio Vitale

Ascanio has volunteered and worked for several environmental organisations, including as a climate campaigner for Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund. He is a Chief Executive Officer of engineering consulting companies Stop CO2 and Flyzen.

Date of first appointment: 10/10/15 – Board meetings attended during year: 4 of 4

SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM

Robin Maynard – Executive Director Julie Lewis – Head of Finance and Supporter Services Alistair Currie – Head of Campaigns and Communications

30

BALANCE SHEET – AS AT 30 JUNE 2021

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted 2021 Total 2020 Total
funds (£) funds (£) funds (£) funds (£)
FIXED ASSETS
Intangible assets 12 ‑ 12 6,124
Tangible assets 2,872 ‑ 2,872 3,648
‑
2,884 2,884 9,772
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 183,019 2,349 185,368 116,758
Investments 100,000 ‑ 100,000 100,000
Cash at bank 683,718 28,692 712,410 725,886
966,737 31,041 997,778 942,626
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within ‑
(206,414) (206,414) (152,510)
one year
NET CURRENT ASSETS 760,323 31,041 791,364 790,116
TOTAL ASSETS LESS
760,323 31,041 794,248 799,888
CURRENT LIABILITIES
NET ASSETS 763,207 31,041 794,248 799,888
FUNDS
Unrestricted funds ‑ ‑ 763,207 758,930
Restricted funds ‑ ‑ 31,041 40,958
TOTAL FUNDS 794,248 799,888
----- End of picture text -----

Notes and further information are included in the full financial statements, which are available on request.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered company number: 3019081 (England and Wales) Registered charity number: 1114109 (England and Wales) Registered office: 135-137 Station Road, London E4 6AG, UK

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Simon Cobbin FCA – Cobbin Floyd Ltd t/a Findlay Wetherfield Scott & Co, 137 Station Road, London E4 6AG

BANKERS

CAF Bank – 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling ME19 4JQ Triodos Bank – Deanery Road, Bristol BS1 5AS Barclays Bank plc – Corporate Office, Leicester LE87 2BB

31

Population Matters | Annual Report 20/21

KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE

Only one tenth of all land on Earth is unchanged by human activities. Let's give nature some space.

DISCOVER MORE AT POPULATIONMATTERS.ORG

Population Matters campaigns to achieve a sustainable human population, to protect the natural world and improve people’s lives. We are committed to human rights, women’s empowerment and global justice. We believe that to be able to live within our planet’s limits, everyone should be able to choose a smaller family.

32

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 03019081 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1114109

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021 FOR

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

	Page
Report of the Trustees	1 to 2
Independent Examiner's Report	3
Statement of Financial Activities	4
Balance Sheet	5 to 6
Notes to the Financial Statements	7 to 15
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities	16

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30th June 2021. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Aims and objectives

We campaign, inform, undertake research and do all we can to encourage an open, fair-minded and constructive debate about population. We aim to create a wave of public awareness and corresponding policy action on overpopulation and unsustainable consumption.

We promote positive, practical, ethical solutions – encouraging smaller families, inspiring people to consume sustainably, with the aim of enabling everyone to enjoy a decent quality of life whilst respecting and sustaining the natural ecosystems upon which all life on earth depends.

We empower choice. In a world of finite resources our reproductive and consumption choices are critical for achieving that vision of humanity in harmony with nature, prospering on a healthy planet. We believe everyone should have the freedom and ability to choose a smaller family.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Structure, governance and management

The Optimum Population Trust is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. The charity is controlled by its Articles of Association and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Our Articles of Association were amended by Special Resolution on 28 November 2020, after an extensive consultation exercise with our guarantor membership. As a result, the charity has now moved to a ‘Foundation Model’ structure in which Trustees are also company law (guarantor) members, and the charity has no other company law members. This represents a change from the previous, relatively unusual, structure in which around 150 of the charity’s 3,000 paying supporters were the guarantor members.

The amended Articles also provide for Trustees to be appointed for a fixed term of three years, renewable once before at least a one-year break, with a provision that allows a trustee to serve longer, subject to an annual review, if other Trustees consider exceptional circumstances justify it. This is a change from previously, when Trustees were elected annually from and by the existing pool of some 150 guarantor members. The recruitment of new trustees is managed by a Nominations Committee, using the widest possible networks and a rigorous appointment process, to ensure that we are finding Trustees with the knowledge, experience and networks the charity needs to maximise its future impact.

New Board members are provided with an induction to their role through the provision of a range of internal information and guidance relating to the charity, as well as direction to sources of best practice.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number 03019081 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1114109

Registered office

137 Station Road London E4 6AG

Page 1

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

Trustees

P.A. Hayes H.R. Cripps S.G. Bown M. Avison F.J. McKenzie A. Vitale J.E. Davies E.D. Olliff A.V. Hughes S.L. Parkin (Chair) C. Padley R.J. Foljambe

Independent Examiner

Cobbin Floyd Ltd t/a Findlay Wetherfield Scott & Co Chartered Accountants 137 Station Road London E4 6AG

Bankers

CAF Bank Triodos Bank Barclays Bank plc. 25 Kings Hill Avenue Deanery Road Corporate Office Kings Hill, West Malling Bristol BS1 5AS Leicester LE87 2BB Kent ME19 4JQ

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 13 October 2021 and signed on its behalf by:

........................ ............................................... S.L. Parkin (Chair) - Trustee

Page 2

INDEPENDEIYT LXAMIP4ER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF OPTIMUM POPULATIOIYTRUST r4oiviy A pop LATIOP4 MArr Ind￿endent ¢X8mlner's report to tht trusttts of Optlmum Popuigtlon Trust Known Populgtlon Matters ('Ibe CompgDy') I report to tharity trustees on my exaMinatiC￿ of the a￿(￿Trts of the Company for the year ¢n¢kd 30th June 2021. Responslbllltles bAsls of report As the Charity's tLUStees of the Company (and also its direct(ffs for ￿rE￿>S¢S of company law) y(￿ are responsible for the preparation of a¢counts irt acLbrdance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 {Ihe 2006 Act,). Having satisfRd myself that the accounts of the com￿nY not required to be a￿1]Ied under Part 16 of 2006 Act and are ell￿ble for independent exarnination, I report in respect of rnyexamination of your charity's aecounts &$ carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe 2011 ALa?. In caTrying ￿t rny examination I have followed the DirectlOlL$ 8iven by the Charity Cornmission un(kr section 145{5) (bl of the 2011 Act. 1nd¢p¢nd¢Dle￿￿lTher'5 $18t¢m¢nt Sinc¢ your charity5 8r055 ineome exceedd £250.(K)O )Y)UT examiner must be a member of a listed body. l ean confjrm that l am qualifL¢d to uThdutak¢ th¢ examination l ama regist￿￿ m¢mb¢r of Institut¢ ofChart¢r¢d A¢countants in England atyj Wate5 which is one of the list•J bodies. I hve completedmyexamination I confirm that no matters havecome kn my atterttw)n in connection withthe examination giving me cause to believe: unting records were tLOt kept in respect of the Company &8 required by sedion 386 of 2006 A¢ or the accounts do tLOt aecord with tknse Teeords: or the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirernents of seetion 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requtrement that the aeeounts give a trne and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of atk iThleperMlent examination: or the accouttt5 have not been prepar￿ in accordance with tlE metho(Ls #Thd principles of the Statement of Recommetlded Pr&tice for accounting and reporting bychaTities{applicable to charrties preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)). I have rKJ ￿￿ern5 and have o)me ¥r05s no other mattus in w1n￿tIOn with the examination to which attenti(ffi $￿Uld thawn in this report in orthr to enable a proper understatyjing of the xcounts to be rexhed Cob Institute of Chartered Accountants in En￿and and Wales Cobbin Floyd Ltd tla Findlay Wetherfield Scott & Co Charter&l Accountants 137 Station Road IATrtLd(xJ E4 6AG Date.. Page 3

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

Unrestricted funds Notes £ INCOME FROM Donations and legacies 2 789,955 Other trading activities 3 117 Investment income 4 3,752 Total 793,824 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 5 89,226 Charitable activities 6 Campaigning 329,113 Raising awareness 301,725 Research 69,483 Total 789,547 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 4,277 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 758,930 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 763,207	Restricted funds £ 46,140 - - 46,140 - 11,640 14,914 29,503 56,057 (9,917) 40,958 31,041	2021 Total funds £ 836,095 117 3,752 839,964 89,226 340,753 316,639 98,986 845,604 (5,640) 799,888 794,248	2020 Total funds £ 508,460 576 6,580 515,616 53,412 299,677 284,117 35,843 673,049 (157,433) 957,321 799,888

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

All income and expenditure has arisen from continuing activities.

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 4

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

BALANCE SHEET 30TH JUNE 2021

Notes FIXED ASSETS Intangible assets 12 Tangible assets 13 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 14 Investments 15 Cash at bank CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 16 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS 17 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS	Unrestricted funds £ 12 2,872 2,884 183,019 100,000 683,718 966,737 (206,414) 760,323 760,323 763,207	Restricted funds £ - - - 2,349 - 28,692 31,041 - 31,041 31,041 31,041	2021 Total funds £ 12 2,872 2,884 185,368 100,000 712,410 997,778 (206,414) 791,364 794,248 794,248 763,207 31,041 794,248	2020 Total funds £ 6,124 3,648 9,772 116,758 100,000 725,868 942,626 (152,510) 790,116 799,888 799,888 758,930 40,958 799,888

The notes form part of these financial statements

continued...

Page 5

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

BALANCE SHEET - continued 30TH JUNE 2021

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 30th June 2021.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 30th June 2021 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

• (a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

• (b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 13 October 2021 and were signed on its behalf by:

----- Start of picture text -----
.................. ....... ...
----- End of picture text -----

S.L. Parkin (Chair) - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 6

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions

The charitable company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland':

• the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Allocation and apportionment of costs

Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute directly to more than one activity are apportioned between those activities. Support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between the activities being supported. Further detail on the basis of allocation of support costs can be found in note 7.

Domain names

Domain names are being amortised over their estimated useful life of 4 years.

Trademarks

Trademarks are being amortised over their registered period of 10 years.

Website costs

Website development costs are being amortised over their estimated useful life of 2 years.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

• Office equipment - 20% on cost

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

continued...

Page 7

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

Donations Gift aid tax Grants Legacies 3. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES Sales 4. INVESTMENT INCOME Investment fund distributions Deposit account interest	2021 £ 544,476 67,466 73,480 150,673 836,095 2021 £ 117 2021 £ 2,068 1,684 3,752	2020 £ 377,711 47,855 23,725 59,169	2020 £ 377,711 47,855 23,725 59,169
		508,460
		2020 £ 576 2020 £ 3,005 3,575 6,580
			6,580

continued...

Page 8

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

5. RAISING FUNDS

RAISING FUNDS
Direct Events Advertising, promotion and website Support costs	2021 £ 38,192 2,865 12,085 36,084 89,226	2020 £ 13,716 483 8,385 30,828
		53,412

6. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
Activity or programme Campaigning Raising awareness Research Total	Activities undertaken directly £ 259,230 212,088 75,304 546,622	Support costs £ 81,523 104,551 23,682 209,756	Total £ 340,753 316,639 98,986
			756,378

7. SUPPORT COSTS

Support cost Raising funds £ Governance 0 Membership & finance 25,236 Website & IT 3,607 Other personnel related costs 5,499 Office costs 471 Other 1,271 Total 36,084	Advocacy £ 23,761 0 19,207 29,282 2,506 6,767 81,523	Education £ 19,439 37,853 15,714 23,957 2,051 5,537 104,551	Research £ 6,902 0 5,580 8,506 728 1,966 23,682	Total Basis of allocation £ 50,102 1 63,089 2 44,108 1 67,244 1 5,756 1 15,541 1 245,840

1. These costs, which are not directly attributable to a single activity, have been allocated to the various activities based on the relative levels of total directly attributable costs.

2. These costs, which are not directly attributable to a single activity, are allocated to the various activities in proportion to the amount of time spent by the finance & membership manager in each area, based on available timesheet information.

continued...

Page 9

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

8. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

Depreciation - owned assets Trademarks amortisation Website costs amortisation	2021 £ 1,721 32 6,080	2020 £ 1,487 32 18,235

9. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 30th June 2021 nor for the year ended 30th June 2020. No Board member has a pecuniary interest in the activities of the organisation nor were any remunerated other than for modest expenses. No Board member or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year.

Trustees' expenses

Trustees' expenses 10. STAFF COSTS Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:		2021 £ 289 2021 £ 246,459 21,159 14,545 282,163 2021 7		2020 £ 1,179
				2020 £ 166,746 15,035 9,350
				191,131
				2020 5

The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:

£60,001 - £70,000 £70,001 - £80,000	2021 - 1 1	2020 1 -
		1

The charity carries out its operations by engaging a mix of full time and part time staff, self-employed contractors, interns and volunteers.

continued...

Page 10

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

11. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Unrestricted funds £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 490,775 Other trading activities 576 Investment income 6,580 Total 497,931 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 53,412 Charitable activities Campaigning 286,865 Raising awareness 269,348 Other 35,843 Total 645,468 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (147,537) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 906,467 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 758,930 12. INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Domain names Trademarks £ £ Cost At 1st July 2020 and 30th June 2021 4,000 875 Amortisation At 1st July 2020 3,999 832 Charge for year - 32 At 30th June 2021 3,999 864 Net book value At 30th June 2021 1 11 At 30th June 2020 1 43	Restricted funds £ 17,685 - - 17,685 - 12,812 14,769 - 27,581 (9,896) 50,854 40,958 Website costs £ 36,472 30,392 6,080 36,472 - 6,080	Total funds £ 508,460 576 6,580 515,616 53,412 299,677 284,117 35,843 673,049 (157,433) 957,321 799,888 Totals £ 41,347 35,223 6,112 41,335 12 6,124

continued...

Page 11

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021 13. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Cost At 1st July 2020 Additions At 30th June 2021 Depreciation At 1st July 2020 Charge for year At 30th June 2021 Net book value At 30th June 2021 At 30th June 2020 14. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Gift aid debtors Legacies accrued Prepayments 15. CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS Listed investments		2021 £ 95,336 87,567 2,465 185,368 2021 £ 100,000		Office equipment £ 9,164 945 10,109 5,516 1,721 7,237 2,872 3,648 2020 £ 48,093 60,000 8,665 116,758 2020 £ 100,000

The market valuation of the investments at the balance sheet date was £183,100 (previous year - £150,771).

continued...

Page 12

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

16. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Owed to suppliers Deferred income from grants Accrued expenses	2021 £ 116,041 83,221 7,152 206,414	2020 £ 55,528 88,775 8,207 152,510

17. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Empower to Plan Advertising Appeal Fund Campaign Video Sustainable Population Policy World Population Day Going Global TOTAL FUNDS	At 1.7.20 £ 758,930 19,672 1,847 9,395 - 875 9,169 40,958 799,888	Net movement in funds £ 4,277 1,588 (1,847) (9,395) - (263) - (9,917) (5,640)	At 30.6.21 £ 763,107 21,260 - - - 612 9,169 31,041 794,248

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Empower to Plan Advertising Appeal Fund Campaign Video Sustainable Population Policy World Population Day Going Global Population Futures TOTAL FUNDS	Incoming resources £ 793,824 16,502 - - 135 - - 29,503 46,140 839,964	Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (789,547) 4,277 (14,914) 1,588 (1,847) (1,847) (9,395) (9,395) (135) - (263) (263) - - (29,503) - (56,057) (9,917) (845,604) (5,640)

continued...

Page 13

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

17. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for movement in funds

Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Empower to Plan Advertising Appeal Fund Campaign Video World Population Day Going Global TOTAL FUNDS	At 1.7.19 £ 906,467 25,925 1,847 9,395 13,687 - 50,854 957,321	Net movement in funds £ (147,537) (6,253) - - (12,812) 9,169 (9,896) (157,433)	At 30.6.20 £ 758,930 19,672 1,847 9,395 875 9,169 40,958 799,888

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Empower to Plan World Population Day Going Global TOTAL FUNDS	Incoming resources £ 497,931 8,516 - 9,169 17,685 515,616	Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (645,468) (147,537) (14,769) (6,253) (12,812) (12,812) - 9,169 (27,581) (9,896) (673,049) (157,433)

continued...

Page 14

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

17. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Empower to Plan Advertising Appeal Fund Campaign Video Sustainable Population Policy World Population Day Going Global TOTAL FUNDS	At 1.7.19 £ 906,467 25,925 1,847 9,395 - 13,687 - 50,854 957,321	Net movement in funds £ (143,260) (4,665) (1,847) (9,395) - (13,075) 9,169 (19,813) (163,073)	At 30.6.21 £ 763,207 21,260 - - - 612 9,169 31,041 794,248

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

as follows:
	Incoming	Resources	Movement
	resources	expended	in funds
	£	£	£
Unrestricted funds
General fund	1,291,755	(1,435,015)	(143,260)
Restricted funds
Empower to Plan	25,018	(29,683)	(4,665)
Advertising Appeal Fund	-	(1,847)	(1,847)
Campaign Video	-	(9,395)	(9,395)
Sustainable Population Policy	135	(135)	-
World Population Day	-	(13,075)	(13,075)
Going Global	9,169	-	9,169
Population Futures	29,503	(29,503)	-
	63,825	(83,638)	(19,813)
TOTAL FUNDS	1,355,580	(1,518,653)	(163,073)

18. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 30th June 2021.

Page 15

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Donations Gift aid tax Grants Legacies Sales Investment fund distributions Deposit account interest Total incoming resources Advertising and PR Campaign costs Events Promotional materials Publications Website & IT AGM & Board meetings Trustee expenses Professional fees Other governance Staff Interns & contractors Travel & meetings Fundraising Grants Office costs Other Total resources expended Net (expenditure)/income	2021 £ 544,476 67,466 73,480 150,673 117 2,068 1,684 839,964 43,169 109,009 14,324 2,829 54,895 91,029 1,424 289 11,386 20,978 320,135 132,234 4,751 12,239 14,914 5,756 6,243 845,604 **(5,640) **	2020 £ 377,711 47,855 23,725 59,169 576 3,005 3,575 515,616 22,152 78,313 3,306 7,957 13,889 71,496 1,630 1,179 36,020 10,772 230,490 131,822 25,882 10,747 12,918 8,128 6,348 673,049 **(157,433) **

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 16

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 03019081 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1114109

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021 FOR

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

	Page
Report of the Trustees	1 to 2
Independent Examiner's Report	3
Statement of Financial Activities	4
Balance Sheet	5 to 6
Notes to the Financial Statements	7 to 15
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities	16

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30th June 2021. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Aims and objectives

We campaign, inform, undertake research and do all we can to encourage an open, fair-minded and constructive debate about population. We aim to create a wave of public awareness and corresponding policy action on overpopulation and unsustainable consumption.

We promote positive, practical, ethical solutions – encouraging smaller families, inspiring people to consume sustainably, with the aim of enabling everyone to enjoy a decent quality of life whilst respecting and sustaining the natural ecosystems upon which all life on earth depends.

We empower choice. In a world of finite resources our reproductive and consumption choices are critical for achieving that vision of humanity in harmony with nature, prospering on a healthy planet. We believe everyone should have the freedom and ability to choose a smaller family.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Structure, governance and management

The Optimum Population Trust is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. The charity is controlled by its Articles of Association and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Our Articles of Association were amended by Special Resolution on 28 November 2020, after an extensive consultation exercise with our guarantor membership. As a result, the charity has now moved to a ‘Foundation Model’ structure in which Trustees are also company law (guarantor) members, and the charity has no other company law members. This represents a change from the previous, relatively unusual, structure in which around 150 of the charity’s 3,000 paying supporters were the guarantor members.

The amended Articles also provide for Trustees to be appointed for a fixed term of three years, renewable once before at least a one-year break, with a provision that allows a trustee to serve longer, subject to an annual review, if other Trustees consider exceptional circumstances justify it. This is a change from previously, when Trustees were elected annually from and by the existing pool of some 150 guarantor members. The recruitment of new trustees is managed by a Nominations Committee, using the widest possible networks and a rigorous appointment process, to ensure that we are finding Trustees with the knowledge, experience and networks the charity needs to maximise its future impact.

New Board members are provided with an induction to their role through the provision of a range of internal information and guidance relating to the charity, as well as direction to sources of best practice.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number 03019081 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1114109

Registered office

137 Station Road London E4 6AG

Page 1

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

Trustees

P.A. Hayes H.R. Cripps S.G. Bown M. Avison F.J. McKenzie A. Vitale J.E. Davies E.D. Olliff A.V. Hughes S.L. Parkin (Chair) C. Padley R.J. Foljambe

Independent Examiner

Cobbin Floyd Ltd t/a Findlay Wetherfield Scott & Co Chartered Accountants 137 Station Road London E4 6AG

Bankers

CAF Bank Triodos Bank Barclays Bank plc. 25 Kings Hill Avenue Deanery Road Corporate Office Kings Hill, West Malling Bristol BS1 5AS Leicester LE87 2BB Kent ME19 4JQ

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 13 October 2021 and signed on its behalf by:

........................ ............................................... S.L. Parkin (Chair) - Trustee

Page 2

INDEPENDEIYT LXAMIP4ER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF OPTIMUM POPULATIOIYTRUST r4oiviy A pop LATIOP4 MArr Ind￿endent ¢X8mlner's report to tht trusttts of Optlmum Popuigtlon Trust Known Populgtlon Matters ('Ibe CompgDy') I report to tharity trustees on my exaMinatiC￿ of the a￿(￿Trts of the Company for the year ¢n¢kd 30th June 2021. Responslbllltles bAsls of report As the Charity's tLUStees of the Company (and also its direct(ffs for ￿rE￿>S¢S of company law) y(￿ are responsible for the preparation of a¢counts irt acLbrdance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 {Ihe 2006 Act,). Having satisfRd myself that the accounts of the com￿nY not required to be a￿1]Ied under Part 16 of 2006 Act and are ell￿ble for independent exarnination, I report in respect of rnyexamination of your charity's aecounts &$ carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe 2011 ALa?. In caTrying ￿t rny examination I have followed the DirectlOlL$ 8iven by the Charity Cornmission un(kr section 145{5) (bl of the 2011 Act. 1nd¢p¢nd¢Dle￿￿lTher'5 $18t¢m¢nt Sinc¢ your charity5 8r055 ineome exceedd £250.(K)O )Y)UT examiner must be a member of a listed body. l ean confjrm that l am qualifL¢d to uThdutak¢ th¢ examination l ama regist￿￿ m¢mb¢r of Institut¢ ofChart¢r¢d A¢countants in England atyj Wate5 which is one of the list•J bodies. I hve completedmyexamination I confirm that no matters havecome kn my atterttw)n in connection withthe examination giving me cause to believe: unting records were tLOt kept in respect of the Company &8 required by sedion 386 of 2006 A¢ or the accounts do tLOt aecord with tknse Teeords: or the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirernents of seetion 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requtrement that the aeeounts give a trne and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of atk iThleperMlent examination: or the accouttt5 have not been prepar￿ in accordance with tlE metho(Ls #Thd principles of the Statement of Recommetlded Pr&tice for accounting and reporting bychaTities{applicable to charrties preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)). I have rKJ ￿￿ern5 and have o)me ¥r05s no other mattus in w1n￿tIOn with the examination to which attenti(ffi $￿Uld thawn in this report in orthr to enable a proper understatyjing of the xcounts to be rexhed Cob Institute of Chartered Accountants in En￿and and Wales Cobbin Floyd Ltd tla Findlay Wetherfield Scott & Co Charter&l Accountants 137 Station Road IATrtLd(xJ E4 6AG Date.. Page 3

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

Unrestricted funds Notes £ INCOME FROM Donations and legacies 2 789,955 Other trading activities 3 117 Investment income 4 3,752 Total 793,824 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 5 89,226 Charitable activities 6 Campaigning 329,113 Raising awareness 301,725 Research 69,483 Total 789,547 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 4,277 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 758,930 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 763,207	Restricted funds £ 46,140 - - 46,140 - 11,640 14,914 29,503 56,057 (9,917) 40,958 31,041	2021 Total funds £ 836,095 117 3,752 839,964 89,226 340,753 316,639 98,986 845,604 (5,640) 799,888 794,248	2020 Total funds £ 508,460 576 6,580 515,616 53,412 299,677 284,117 35,843 673,049 (157,433) 957,321 799,888

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

All income and expenditure has arisen from continuing activities.

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 4

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

BALANCE SHEET 30TH JUNE 2021

Notes FIXED ASSETS Intangible assets 12 Tangible assets 13 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 14 Investments 15 Cash at bank CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 16 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS 17 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS	Unrestricted funds £ 12 2,872 2,884 183,019 100,000 683,718 966,737 (206,414) 760,323 760,323 763,207	Restricted funds £ - - - 2,349 - 28,692 31,041 - 31,041 31,041 31,041	2021 Total funds £ 12 2,872 2,884 185,368 100,000 712,410 997,778 (206,414) 791,364 794,248 794,248 763,207 31,041 794,248	2020 Total funds £ 6,124 3,648 9,772 116,758 100,000 725,868 942,626 (152,510) 790,116 799,888 799,888 758,930 40,958 799,888

The notes form part of these financial statements

continued...

Page 5

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

BALANCE SHEET - continued 30TH JUNE 2021

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 30th June 2021.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 30th June 2021 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

• (a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

• (b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 13 October 2021 and were signed on its behalf by:

----- Start of picture text -----
.................. ....... ...
----- End of picture text -----

S.L. Parkin (Chair) - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 6

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions

The charitable company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland':

• the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Allocation and apportionment of costs

Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute directly to more than one activity are apportioned between those activities. Support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between the activities being supported. Further detail on the basis of allocation of support costs can be found in note 7.

Domain names

Domain names are being amortised over their estimated useful life of 4 years.

Trademarks

Trademarks are being amortised over their registered period of 10 years.

Website costs

Website development costs are being amortised over their estimated useful life of 2 years.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

• Office equipment - 20% on cost

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

continued...

Page 7

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

Donations Gift aid tax Grants Legacies 3. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES Sales 4. INVESTMENT INCOME Investment fund distributions Deposit account interest	2021 £ 544,476 67,466 73,480 150,673 836,095 2021 £ 117 2021 £ 2,068 1,684 3,752	2020 £ 377,711 47,855 23,725 59,169	2020 £ 377,711 47,855 23,725 59,169
		508,460
		2020 £ 576 2020 £ 3,005 3,575 6,580
			6,580

continued...

Page 8

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

5. RAISING FUNDS

RAISING FUNDS
Direct Events Advertising, promotion and website Support costs	2021 £ 38,192 2,865 12,085 36,084 89,226	2020 £ 13,716 483 8,385 30,828
		53,412

6. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
Activity or programme Campaigning Raising awareness Research Total	Activities undertaken directly £ 259,230 212,088 75,304 546,622	Support costs £ 81,523 104,551 23,682 209,756	Total £ 340,753 316,639 98,986
			756,378

7. SUPPORT COSTS

Support cost Raising funds £ Governance 0 Membership & finance 25,236 Website & IT 3,607 Other personnel related costs 5,499 Office costs 471 Other 1,271 Total 36,084	Advocacy £ 23,761 0 19,207 29,282 2,506 6,767 81,523	Education £ 19,439 37,853 15,714 23,957 2,051 5,537 104,551	Research £ 6,902 0 5,580 8,506 728 1,966 23,682	Total Basis of allocation £ 50,102 1 63,089 2 44,108 1 67,244 1 5,756 1 15,541 1 245,840

1. These costs, which are not directly attributable to a single activity, have been allocated to the various activities based on the relative levels of total directly attributable costs.

2. These costs, which are not directly attributable to a single activity, are allocated to the various activities in proportion to the amount of time spent by the finance & membership manager in each area, based on available timesheet information.

continued...

Page 9

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

8. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

Depreciation - owned assets Trademarks amortisation Website costs amortisation	2021 £ 1,721 32 6,080	2020 £ 1,487 32 18,235

9. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 30th June 2021 nor for the year ended 30th June 2020. No Board member has a pecuniary interest in the activities of the organisation nor were any remunerated other than for modest expenses. No Board member or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year.

Trustees' expenses

Trustees' expenses 10. STAFF COSTS Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:		2021 £ 289 2021 £ 246,459 21,159 14,545 282,163 2021 7		2020 £ 1,179
				2020 £ 166,746 15,035 9,350
				191,131
				2020 5

The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:

£60,001 - £70,000 £70,001 - £80,000	2021 - 1 1	2020 1 -
		1

The charity carries out its operations by engaging a mix of full time and part time staff, self-employed contractors, interns and volunteers.

continued...

Page 10

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

11. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Unrestricted funds £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 490,775 Other trading activities 576 Investment income 6,580 Total 497,931 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 53,412 Charitable activities Campaigning 286,865 Raising awareness 269,348 Other 35,843 Total 645,468 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (147,537) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 906,467 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 758,930 12. INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Domain names Trademarks £ £ Cost At 1st July 2020 and 30th June 2021 4,000 875 Amortisation At 1st July 2020 3,999 832 Charge for year - 32 At 30th June 2021 3,999 864 Net book value At 30th June 2021 1 11 At 30th June 2020 1 43	Restricted funds £ 17,685 - - 17,685 - 12,812 14,769 - 27,581 (9,896) 50,854 40,958 Website costs £ 36,472 30,392 6,080 36,472 - 6,080	Total funds £ 508,460 576 6,580 515,616 53,412 299,677 284,117 35,843 673,049 (157,433) 957,321 799,888 Totals £ 41,347 35,223 6,112 41,335 12 6,124

continued...

Page 11

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021 13. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Cost At 1st July 2020 Additions At 30th June 2021 Depreciation At 1st July 2020 Charge for year At 30th June 2021 Net book value At 30th June 2021 At 30th June 2020 14. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Gift aid debtors Legacies accrued Prepayments 15. CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS Listed investments		2021 £ 95,336 87,567 2,465 185,368 2021 £ 100,000		Office equipment £ 9,164 945 10,109 5,516 1,721 7,237 2,872 3,648 2020 £ 48,093 60,000 8,665 116,758 2020 £ 100,000

The market valuation of the investments at the balance sheet date was £183,100 (previous year - £150,771).

continued...

Page 12

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

16. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Owed to suppliers Deferred income from grants Accrued expenses	2021 £ 116,041 83,221 7,152 206,414	2020 £ 55,528 88,775 8,207 152,510

17. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Empower to Plan Advertising Appeal Fund Campaign Video Sustainable Population Policy World Population Day Going Global TOTAL FUNDS	At 1.7.20 £ 758,930 19,672 1,847 9,395 - 875 9,169 40,958 799,888	Net movement in funds £ 4,277 1,588 (1,847) (9,395) - (263) - (9,917) (5,640)	At 30.6.21 £ 763,107 21,260 - - - 612 9,169 31,041 794,248

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Empower to Plan Advertising Appeal Fund Campaign Video Sustainable Population Policy World Population Day Going Global Population Futures TOTAL FUNDS	Incoming resources £ 793,824 16,502 - - 135 - - 29,503 46,140 839,964	Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (789,547) 4,277 (14,914) 1,588 (1,847) (1,847) (9,395) (9,395) (135) - (263) (263) - - (29,503) - (56,057) (9,917) (845,604) (5,640)

continued...

Page 13

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

17. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for movement in funds

Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Empower to Plan Advertising Appeal Fund Campaign Video World Population Day Going Global TOTAL FUNDS	At 1.7.19 £ 906,467 25,925 1,847 9,395 13,687 - 50,854 957,321	Net movement in funds £ (147,537) (6,253) - - (12,812) 9,169 (9,896) (157,433)	At 30.6.20 £ 758,930 19,672 1,847 9,395 875 9,169 40,958 799,888

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Empower to Plan World Population Day Going Global TOTAL FUNDS	Incoming resources £ 497,931 8,516 - 9,169 17,685 515,616	Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (645,468) (147,537) (14,769) (6,253) (12,812) (12,812) - 9,169 (27,581) (9,896) (673,049) (157,433)

continued...

Page 14

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

17. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Empower to Plan Advertising Appeal Fund Campaign Video Sustainable Population Policy World Population Day Going Global TOTAL FUNDS	At 1.7.19 £ 906,467 25,925 1,847 9,395 - 13,687 - 50,854 957,321	Net movement in funds £ (143,260) (4,665) (1,847) (9,395) - (13,075) 9,169 (19,813) (163,073)	At 30.6.21 £ 763,207 21,260 - - - 612 9,169 31,041 794,248

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

as follows:
	Incoming	Resources	Movement
	resources	expended	in funds
	£	£	£
Unrestricted funds
General fund	1,291,755	(1,435,015)	(143,260)
Restricted funds
Empower to Plan	25,018	(29,683)	(4,665)
Advertising Appeal Fund	-	(1,847)	(1,847)
Campaign Video	-	(9,395)	(9,395)
Sustainable Population Policy	135	(135)	-
World Population Day	-	(13,075)	(13,075)
Going Global	9,169	-	9,169
Population Futures	29,503	(29,503)	-
	63,825	(83,638)	(19,813)
TOTAL FUNDS	1,355,580	(1,518,653)	(163,073)

18. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 30th June 2021.

Page 15

OPTIMUM POPULATION TRUST KNOWN AS POPULATION MATTERS

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2021

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Donations Gift aid tax Grants Legacies Sales Investment fund distributions Deposit account interest Total incoming resources Advertising and PR Campaign costs Events Promotional materials Publications Website & IT AGM & Board meetings Trustee expenses Professional fees Other governance Staff Interns & contractors Travel & meetings Fundraising Grants Office costs Other Total resources expended Net (expenditure)/income	2021 £ 544,476 67,466 73,480 150,673 117 2,068 1,684 839,964 43,169 109,009 14,324 2,829 54,895 91,029 1,424 289 11,386 20,978 320,135 132,234 4,751 12,239 14,914 5,756 6,243 845,604 **(5,640) **	2020 £ 377,711 47,855 23,725 59,169 576 3,005 3,575 515,616 22,152 78,313 3,306 7,957 13,889 71,496 1,630 1,179 36,020 10,772 230,490 131,822 25,882 10,747 12,918 8,128 6,348 673,049 **(157,433) **

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 16