COMMENT Low-carbon spring
An abundance of policy papers confirms both national and European commitment to carbon management, writes Barrie Clarke of Undercurrent
ou perhaps thought there were already enough guidelines and protocols on the ‘whys’ and’ hows’ of cutting carbon emissions. If so, think again. Maybe it was the cold winter, but the first quarter produced a flowering of plans and roadmaps and research to rival snowdrops as the success story of the spring. The message to corporate Britain from the nation’s political and business leaders is unmistakeable – low-carbon is high-priority.
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This obviously is not news in the water business, but evidence of its growing importance is everywhere. One recent example is the Planning Inspectorate inquiry into Thames Water’s water resources management plan. The proper role and cost of carbon reduction were key points of difference between the company and the Environment Agency in respect of reservoirs, effluent reuse and desalination. Across the industry, meanwhile, plans to improve water quality and water efficiency campaigns are routinely linked to use of energy and carbon measurement. Disappointment at the 2009 Copenhagen climate summit and questioning of the science have made the past year or two difficult for climate policy-makers, so they are no doubt pleased that the water sector has not skipped a beat. Still, the new crop of official papers is a timely confidence-builder; they are going in the same direction as us, if some way behind. Actually, that is not fair. Between them, the European Commission (EC), UK government and Confederation of British Industries (CBI) have produced a mass of pertinent arguments and ideas.
EC – holding the line
The EC roadmap (1) is out just ahead of a UK version expected this month. Necessarily broad brush, it identifies milestones and glide paths for reduction in five main sectors: power, household, industry, transport and agriculture. It backs up the case being made here, and globally, for increased investment, and highlights the prospective economic benefits. Notably it shows the commission’s determination to hold the line on a 30% emissions reduction by 2020 in face of lobbying for 20%. The journey to full policy status is long, however, and today’s achievement may be tomorrow’s U-turn.
DECC – politics is all
A shiny new carbon reduction plan (2) goes some way to answer doubts about the Government’s green credentials. It points the way to an 80% cut in emissions by 2050. The sector targets are similar – power, household and business (with accent on space heating) and transport. The plan is ambitious and should encourage business already committed to action, but take nothing for granted. Political choices will always be as important as technical strategies as the Budget showed – it kept green doors open, but put off walking through most of them.
Defra – saving resources
Everyone accepts that meeting binding emissions targets with current technology is tough bordering on impossible. It is vital to know which activities are most realistic and rewarding. Government research (3) published last month looks at no-cost and low-cost measures to improve business resource efficiency.
Within a reasonable payback period there could be annual savings of £55B and carbon benefits at about 90 MtCO2 or 13% of annual UK
32 Water & Wastewater Treatment April 2011
emissions. The research says that 60% of opportunities for carbon savings in water are in public administration, agriculture, and food and drink.
CBI – concerted action
The CBI is the default voice of business. Its contribution to the carbon debate is a paper (4) showing how government and business together can “build the mass market integral to the rebalancing of our economy towards low-carbon”.
The consumer is the focus now and business has a responsibility, in its own interests, to explain why the change matters. They say business is going green, but still needs clear signals to support investment – cheers to that. They make a rather obvious case for harnessing green buying power and building trust, but the overall sense is upbeat and plausible. The message of the low-carbon spring is far-reaching – business strategy and sustainability are merging; from now on it makes sense to move climate awareness and resource efficiency from the periphery to the heart of the company. Two company leaders who took up their posts in 2010 are leading examples.
Peter Simpson, managing director of Anglian Water, is rewriting the company narrative on a low-carbon model. Crucially, the consumer is central to the strategy through an all-embracing campaign, ‘Love Every Drop’.
Marc Bolland, chief executive of Marks & Spencer, reaffirmed his predecessor’s commitment to making the company the greenest retailer. “Plan A”, he said when introducing his blueprint for the future, is “an integral part of the business and an integral part of the brand”. nnn
bclarke@undercurrent.org.uk
Roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050, European Commission Communication, March 2011 Carbon Plan, HMG/DECC, March 2011
Further Benefits of Business Resource Efficiency, OakdeneHollins for Defra, March 2011
Buying into it – making the consumer case for low-carbon, CBI, March 2011
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