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Driving value through sustainability


Speakers from the energy, utilities, transport, retail and finance sectors discussed at the webinar held in June what sustainability means to them, whether it is a cost or opportunity, and what the future holds. Tim Wickham reports on the discussion


The speakers (from top left):


Rob King: head of sustainable finance at HSBC, chair of the webinar


Bill Bullen: managing director at Utilita Bob Taylor: CEO at Portsmouth Water


Helen McNair: technical director at Lionel Hitchen


Leanna Lakes: operations director at Red Funnel Mark Smith: CEO at Southern Co-op.


Paul Anthony, regional managing partner (south) of RSM and Solent 250 sponsor, opened proceedings by describing sustainability as “one of the most challenging business issues we have faced”.


Why is sustainability important?


“It’s no longer acceptable to be carbon hungry. We are identifying what steps we can take in the value chain and making ethical choices about the way we operate,” said Lakes.


Like many food manufacturers, Lionel Hitchen is impacted directly by climate change. “Our supply chain is being disrupted, for example, by hurricanes in the Caribbean and the Kerala floods in India,” said McNair.


Consumers are playing a part in shaping sustainability initiatives at Southern Co-op. “Sustainability is rapidly coming alongside convenience and price in importance for customers,” said Smith.


The energy industry has been decarbonising for some time, pointed out Bullen. “Many of Utilita’s customers are low-income households, so cost-effectiveness is also critical for them. We are changing customer behaviours to help them save energy,” he said.


One of Portsmouth Water’s biggest challenges is getting the message across to customers about reducing water consumption. “Our industry has committed to carbon neutrality by 2030, but the UK is not particularly water efficient,” said Taylor.


Read the full report here


Sustainability: cost or opportunity?


“It’s more than just a cost; it comes down to the environment in which we live and how we’ll leave it for future generations,” continued Taylor.


King noted that HSBC tries to involve all employees and has sustainability ambassadors who talk to customers. “How are others embedding sustainability in their businesses?” he asked.


Smith said: “Many of our staff have a passion for sustainability, especially lower down the age spectrum. We want to galvanise our staff to take the message into people’s homes.”


Lionel Hitchens involves its employees to unleash their latent passion for greater sustainability. “It’s amazing how much momentum has gathered in a short time,” noted McNair.


The shape of the future


Technology is essential for progress on sustainability, thought Bullen: “It is helping us to reduce carbon emissions and costs. What really excites me about the future is that decisions are being ‘socialised’, for example, we are seeing more LED lighting, solar panels and electric vehicles.”


Red Funnel plans to replace its fleet in the next five to 10 years. “Options include battery hybrids and hydrogen- powered vessels,” said Lakes.


Resources and money are being invested by Lionel Hitchen “where it will make the biggest environmental and cost-saving impact,” said McNair. “We report progress through KPIs (key performance indicators), for example, on energy use and greenhouse gas emissions and waste.”


A major target for Portsmouth Water is the rollout of water meters. Taylor said: “We are also working with farmers and landowners to solve water quality problems caused by pesticides and nitrates, rather than building treatment plants to remove contaminants.”


What external support might help?


The panellists agreed that the Government should take a broader brush approach, rather than micro- managing through multiple green initiatives. Bullen said: “A carbon tax would give a commercial incentive to reduce emissions.”


Smith added: “Some well-intentioned initiatives have not always landed very well. The Government needs to simplify things and to collaborate more with industry, for example, through industry trade bodies.”


Richard Dibden, commercial director of CMA Recruitment and Solent 250 sponsor, brought the webinar to a close with audience questions about the success factors for sustainability, passing the cost on to consumers, and the best way to start being more sustainable.


webinar


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