Expert View
CLIMATE CHANGE DRIVES GREEN GOALS
by Susan Haslem Relationship director at NatWest for Lancashire
Climate change is a growing concern for many and more businesses are looking at ways they can become more sustainable.
But with so much information about what it means to be a green business or how to improve sustainability credentials, it’s important to understand what this terminology actually means before putting it into practice.
To support businesses with their green goals NatWest has created a ‘Climate Hub’ which features tips, insights and tools aiming to help all UK SMEs act now to tackle climate change, by reducing emissions and unlocking green growth opportunities.
It brings together resources, products and services that address some of the gaps identified in NatWest’s A Springboard to Sustainability report, as well as educating SMEs around the financial benefits of transitioning towards Net Zero.
Our relationship managers and directors provide expert support on climate issues thanks to specialist training. We are also collaborating with LEPs, universities, climate experts and other organisations to
their adoption of alternative energy efficiency boosting technologies.”
In the strategy Boris Johnson has committed to increasing the UK’s nuclear power capability, something which the group’s co-chair Mick Gornall believes is good news for Lancashire.
He says: “The county has long been a leader in all aspects of the nuclear sector. Most notably, through the work at Springfields, near Preston, which produces fuel to power the UK’s civil nuclear reactors and currently provides around 32 per cent of the UK’s low carbon electricity.
“The Clean Energy Technology Park at the Springfields site is also leading the way in demonstrating and accelerating the commercialisation of a broad range of nuclear- related technologies.
“We want to see Lancashire’s expertise continue to play a key role within the future of the UK’s nuclear energy production, securing our industry and related jobs.”
develop and embed strategies to address climate change. This cross- collaboration is vital to ensuring the needs of local businesses are met while also addressing bigger issues related to climate.
Local LEPs and business support organisations can provide information about going greener and help connect local businesses with each other.
Sometimes it’s simply a case of connecting with someone who has already done what you want to do and sharing best practice to gain the insight you need to put sustainable measures in place.
Making sustainable changes can make good business sense as some businesses have saved money by improving energy efficiency.
Many banks and funders, including NatWest, have launched green loan financing for small businesses which may enable businesses to invest in solar panels, electric vehicles, or heat pumps on commercial buildings.
These new propositions are designed to open up opportunities for sustainable growth options for qualifying SMEs and reflect the societal benefit of delivering climate action.
The strategy will see a significant acceleration of nuclear, with an ambition of it meeting around 25 per cent of the country’s projected electricity needs by 2050.
A new government body, Great British Nuclear, is also being set up to bring forward new projects, backed by what the government describes as “substantial funding”.
Heysham was also named as one of eight designated nuclear sites in the strategy. It means the EDF-owned site, which will see its existing power plants end energy production later this decade, could be chosen to house a new reactor.
Blackburn-based engineering group Assystem is one of the Lancashire companies that looks to be well-placed to benefit from the new strategy.
Earlier this year it announced plans to create 450 jobs within its low carbon projects, one- third of which will be based in the North West.
The recruitment drive is part of Assystem’s campaign to promote a transition to carbon-free electricity to customers in energy, rail transport and infrastructure sectors.
Many of the roles being recruited for are to support the development of the UK’s new nuclear projects. Matthew Gallimore, Assystem’s chief sales officer, believes the new strategy will lead to even more job opportunities.
Matthew says Lancashire and the wider North West are well placed to benefit, with a third of the current 60,000 jobs in the sector based in the region.
He says: “The strategy is really positive news, now we can see the government’s commitment to invest in eight potential new sites, with nuclear set to provide 25 per cent of our energy.
“There is also a commitment to speed up the process, unlocking some of the road blocks that have been there in the past.”
LANCASHIREBUSINESSVIEW.CO.UK
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GREEN ECONOMY
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