sustainability & the environment Way is open for green technology
Trump administration aside, the importance of embracing sustainable practice is clear. Green technology is a growing sector, but are industry leaders in the south doing enough? asks Carry de la Harpe
At the recent Future South conference, Vince Cable told delegates that, despite the uncertainties of Brexit, the growth of the region’s low carbon economy must remain an imperative. Environment expert Terry A’Hearn reinforces the message: “It is not a choice between driving resource efficiency; preventing harm; or tackling crime – we must do it all and do it together.”
The imperative is not just for specific industry leaders; caring for the environment for future generations must be part of the culture and practice of every business. Nor is this mere idealism – research repeatedly shows that sustainable business is profitable business. IBM for example implemented energy conservation projects globally which, in 2014 alone, represented $37.4 million in savings – 6.7% of its total energy use.
Action for business leaders
Perhaps leaders should hold up IBM’s example to their management teams, and ask: How can we train our employees to do things in a sustainable way? How can we teach them strategies that will lead to sustainable practices?
Jonny Riggall, equity director, energy and environment, at PBA (see profile on page 16), says sustainable practice must be led from the very top of an organisation. “For example,” he says, “what if the CFO’s next new car was a Tesla Model 3 plugged in outside the front of HQ, and he or she
placed every pound saved on fuel into a workplace wellbeing fund? Surely small top-level actions like this could help.”
Grundon Waste Management says: “Every step taken towards sustainability is one in the right direction – from segregating and recycling different types of waste to introducing low energy light bulbs; from larger scale environmental programmes to carbon reduction initiatives.” One of the many steps Grundon itself is taking is in sponsoring the Green Progress category at the Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards (see page 21), which both recognises and encourages the sustainable practices of companies in the region.
Innovation in the Thames Valley
It’s exciting that innovative green tech will change our environment for the better – bringing innovation in the way we live, move and interact. It’s especially exciting that so much of that innovation is coming from companies in the Thames Valley.
“You only have to look out the window,” says Riggall, “if you’re in the business parks in Bracknell and Maidenhead and South Reading, they’re all there, these businesses that are innovating in environmental markets – which is fantastic.
“Companies like GE, Microsoft, Cisco, 3, Huawei and PepsiCo are doing amazing things right here. They’ve all got new technology coming out that will fundamentally change the way we use, distribute and hold energy.”
Huawei, while working to achieve sustainability itself, also has a policy of working only with suppliers that meet its sustainability requirements, to the point of auditing their performance in terms of the environment, labour, human rights and social impact.
What do we need?
Riggall says that when it comes to clean and renewable energy “onshore wind is a fantastic resource; this country is one of the windiest in Europe”.
The Government recently announced the next round of competitive auctions to support offshore wind, and these are expected to provide a fantastic boost for British industry. Hugh McNeal, RenewableUK chief executive, said: “The competitive auction process is continuing to drive down the cost of offshore wind energy at an unprecedented speed.
“British supply chain companies are already seizing the massive economic opportunities offered by offshore wind – and there’s great potential for further job creation by innovative companies throughout the UK as the industry continues to grow.”
Wave and tidal energy industries are equally innovative and McNeal says these groundbreaking technologies can replicate the cost reduction we’re seeing in offshore wind and deliver industrial benefits to Britain. But he warns: “We can’t risk falling behind and handing our global lead to other countries.”
It is disappointing that so far Trump has dismissed global warming and it seems unlikely there will be encouragement to reduce carbon emissions under his administration. But this could work in the UK’s favour. It is exciting that the way is open for us to boost our innovative technology in this area where we are already a world leader.
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – DECEMBER 16/JANUARY 17
businessmag.co.uk
15
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48