Category Archives: Climate Action

Business, Car News, Carbon Reduction, Cardiff, Climate Action

Cardiff University launch new electric fleet

Cardiff University has launched its new electric vehicle (EV) fleet, a significant step towards achieving its net-zero emissions goals.

The vehicles, purchased through the Welsh Government collaborative procurement framework and supported by the Welsh Government Energy Service, were sourced by FleetEV, a local EV solutions provider. FleetEV focuses on helping organisations transition to electric vehicles through comprehensive leasing, salary sacrifice, and fleet solutions tailored to diverse client needs.

The new fleet includes Renault and Vauxhall vans, as well as Citroen Ami’s, which have been wrapped by Popin Graphics. These EVs will replace a portion of the university’s fleet of 60 vehicles, and the efficient Ami’s will help reduce the cost of ownership and environmental impact.

The EVs have also been named, following a competition for staff and students to submit their favourites. Winners included Pen E Van, Sos-fan-Fach and Myfanwy.

Professor Monjur Mourshed, Cardiff University’s Dean of Environmental Sustainability, said: “We are delighted to introduce our new EV fleet, which includes a range of vehicle sizes to accommodate our diverse transportation needs. The lighter, more compact vehicles are ideally suited for navigating our urban campus while contributing to our carbon emissions reduction goals. This investment marks a step forward in decarbonising our fleet and demonstrates our commitment to environmental sustainability.”

Jarrad Morris, CEO and Founder of FleetEV, and Cardiff University alumni, said: “We were so pleased to have played a part in Cardiff University’s move to electric campus vehicles. Each institution and business that recognises the importance of EVs and implements change is helping us take a significant step towards a greener, cleaner and more sustainable future, and it means even more that it is my alma mater leading the way.”

Carbon Reduction, Climate, Climate Action, News

UK leading the way on Net Zero – but are European neighbours set to overtake?

When it comes to awareness of the term Net Zero, Brits are the reigning champions in Europe, according to a major new report from Cadent – but we’re losing ground on changes of magnitude.

 

Net Zero League Table

  UK Germany Netherlands
Awareness of term 87% 61% 53%
Knowledge of changes needed 38% 42% 33%
Believe changes in home are difficult 25% 12% 20%
Replaced gas boilers 19% 24% 23%

Sample of over 3,000 people across the UK, Germany and Netherlands.

 

The UK is one of the most advanced nations in Europe in terms of understanding Net Zero but new findings show our European neighbours are more likely to have made bigger, more impactful energy efficiency / carbon reduction changes.

The research, conducted by Cadent in partnership with Verve and a team of leading academics, indicates Net Zero is more widely talked about in the UK – and a higher proportion understand it to mean ‘reaching carbon neutrality’ – whilst a greater percentage in Germany (39%) and the Netherlands (47%) say they’ve never heard of the term before.

However, the British public sees changes like recycling and reducing food waste as being key tactics to creating effective change, with the research uncovering a lower adoption of sustainable changes in the home in the UK than in Germany and the Netherlands.

Consumers have mixed attitudes to replacing gas appliances and many cannot see a vision for change . Changing a boiler, for example, could save money and reduce carbon footprint, yet one in three Brits say they will never consider this.

 

Mark Belmega, Director of Social Purpose and Sustainability at Cadent, said: “Somewhat reassuringly, our research confirms that change is possible and it is already happening, albeit gradually. But it also raises serious concerns about the pace at which we’re moving.

“If the UK is to meet its ambitious environmental targets each and every one of us is going to have to change our behaviours, but larger-scale changes will have the greatest impact and people in the UK appear less comfortable with making these.

“It’s likely to be because changes such as replacing gas central heating, involve a higher upfront cost, while solutions such as recycling are simple to do and can actually save money in the short term. Our discussions with academics, social media analysis and literature reviews also point to the absence of a clear and inclusive vision, inconsistent messaging and a lack of appropriate infrastructure, that are all essential macro-level conditions that are required to stimulate larger scale behavioural change.

“What we need is a human-centric vision from a trusted source, as well as structures, systems and technology that enable uptake of new behaviours. At Cadent, we’re committed to supporting our customers through the energy transition and it’s essential that the industry is united, with a positive and cohesive message and a consistent plan.”

 

Climate Action, Climate Tech, Derbyshire, Energy, News, Scotland, Sustainability

Chancellor fails to ride the hydro wave to help cut carbon emissions and household bills

Government misses key opportunity to back a sustainable and reliable renewable energy source, as major new report shows hydropower helped slash £1.1billion off consumer bills

The Chancellor has missed a golden opportunity to support the UK’s strategic economic, employment and Net Zero ambitions by failing to fully back hydropower – a proven and reliable source of renewable energy for the future, says the British Hydropower Association (BHA).

The organisation has expressed its extreme disappointment at the lack of foresight and financial backing for hydropower in the Chancellor’s spring budget.

A new report by BiGGAR Economics, commissioned by the BHA and published today, estimates that in 2022 alone, the volume of hydropower produced in the UK reduced the wholesale cost of energy by £1.1 billion, equivalent to £38.50 per household.

There is currently around 2 gigawatts (GW) of traditional hydropower being utilised across the UK, excluding pumped storage hydro, and there is potential to develop and build an additional 1GW of new hydropower.

Kate Gilmartin

Kate Gilmartin, CEO of the British Hydropower Association, who recently gave evidence to both the Environmental Audit and Energy Security and Net Zero select committees, said: “It’s disappointing, frustrating and mystifying that the Chancellor has failed to ride a hydro wave which would help slash sky high consumer bills, create jobs, and help cut the UK’s carbon emissions.

“This was a golden opportunity to bring hydropower fully into the UK’s future, reliable, renewable energy mix and the government has failed to grasp it. As our new report from BiGGAR Economics shows, hydropower can help support the UK’s strategic ambitions, contribute to Net Zero, reduce reliance on energy imports and produce the most energy when demand is high, in winter.

“There’s still nothing in current government policy which brings forward renewable generation at anything less than five megawatts. Ministers are tunnel-focused on large scale generation connected at the transmission grid which doesn’t resolve local grid issues or enable local energy solutions that can really help reduce bills for consumers.”

Renovation of a water wheel at Cromford Mills, Derbyshire

The BiGGAR Economics report – “The Socio-economic impact of Hydropower in the UK” – suggests that building an additional 1GW of hydropower, via new small scale local hydro projects and upgrading existing facilities, would require £5.5 billion investment over 15 years, with £4.2 billion worth of contracts going to UK firms and the creation of 4,140 jobs.

It is estimated that the development and construction phase could support up to £2.3 billion Gross Value Added (GVA) across Scotland, £135 million GVA in Wales and £2.3 billion GVA across England.

 

Last month, the BHA published its manifesto ahead of the UK general election in order to persuade politicians of all parties to invest in hydropower as a crucial part of the UK’s future energy mix.

The BHA is calling for:

  • Policy support that will allow 1GW Hydropower deployment through changes to the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, including a strike price of £140/MWh.
  • A Hydropower CfD ring-fenced pot, in order to replace gas peaking plant.
  • An approach that moves to “Enhanced” Levelised Cost of Energy, which considers wider whole systems benefits.

You can read the BiGGAR Economics report in full on the BHA’s new website, here.

Christmas, Climate, Climate Action, News

All I Want for Christmas Is Some Real Action on Climate Change

Written by David Peters, Director at Coalternative Energy

COP28 has just concluded, with allegations emerging that the hosts planned to use it as a business opportunity to strike new fossil fuel deals and world leaders showing their appetite for making urgent climate changes by flying to the conference via private jet.  As we now face Christmas, with record-breaking heatwaves in Spain and forecasters now predict one of the UK’s warmest December days to date in Scotland, it’s not the warmth from the fire that I’m feeling.

As the holiday season approaches and we eagerly encourage our kids to make wish lists for Santa Claus, it’s worth reflecting on the most significant gift our children could ever receive: a sustainable planet. Climate change is a pressing global issue that threatens our environment, our way of life, and future generations.

This year, more than ever, all I want for Christmas is some real action on climate change.

 

The Urgency of Climate Change

Climate change is not a future problem; it’s a present crisis. We’ve witnessed its devastating effects with record-breaking wildfires, increasingly severe hurricanes, rising sea levels, and extreme heatwaves. These events have caused loss of life, economic turmoil, and displacement of communities worldwide.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has issued alarming reports highlighting the urgency of addressing this crisis. Their research indicates that global temperatures must be limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to prevent catastrophic consequences. Beyond this threshold, we risk triggering feedback loops that could accelerate global warming and make the situation irreparable.

It’s not ‘time for change’.  It’s time for desperate, urgent, earth-healing ACTION.  Anything less is just greenwashing.

 

What Can We Do?

Here’s just some ways we can make a very real difference.

 

Transition to Renewable Energy: One of the most effective ways to combat climate change is to transition away from fossil fuels and embrace renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. Governments and businesses must invest in clean energy infrastructure and support research and development in this field.  For countries still heavily reliant on coal, black pellets offer a sustainable solution right now – with the added benefit of reducing the risk of forest fires and no further investment in infrastructure required.  It’s a no brainer!

 

Encourage climate investment: High Net Wealth Investors should be encouraged to move away from legacy fuel investments that harm the planet and instead be supported to invest in schemes and technologies that will promote a greener future.  The yields are normally high on these investments anyway, but there’s so many other reasons to encourage this, why wouldn’t you want to do it?

 

Carbon Pricing: Implementing carbon pricing mechanisms, such as carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems, can incentivize individuals and corporations to reduce their carbon emissions. These measures encourage sustainable practices and promote the transition to a low-carbon economy.

 

Reforestation and Afforestation: Forests act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Protecting existing forests and planting new ones can help offset carbon emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

 

Sustainable Transportation: Promoting public transportation, electric vehicles, and active transportation modes like cycling and walking can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.

 

International Cooperation: Climate change is a global issue that requires international collaboration. Countries must work together to set ambitious emissions reduction targets and uphold their commitments under the Paris Agreement – not meet up for a chin wag, a jolly and another smokescreen via private jet.

 

Education and Advocacy: Raising awareness about climate change and advocating for meaningful action is crucial. Individuals can support climate-friendly policies and lifestyle changes, encouraging others to do the same.

 

Mindful shopping:  What we buy can really make a difference.  Simple things like switching to a palm-oil free brand of peanut butter can send signals to manufacturers that consumers care where they source their ingredients.  Likewise, when buying gifts, think about the messages we send.  Maybe even consider gifts that keep on giving, such as a charity adoption or sponsorship of wild animals to encourage children to learn about endangered wildlife.  However it doesn’t have to be massive – just making sure we only buy cards and gift wrap that can be recycled sends a message to producers that they need to be more mindful.

 

This holiday season, let’s ask for more than material gifts; let’s ask for a sustainable future. Climate change is not a problem that can be solved with wishful thinking alone, but with collective action and determination. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and the planet to demand real action on climate change from our leaders, businesses, and communities.

By transitioning to clean energy, implementing effective policies, and fostering a global commitment to combat climate change, we can work towards a brighter and more sustainable future. All I want for Christmas is a planet where future generations can thrive, and that begins with taking action on climate change today.

Climate, Climate Action, Conservation, Sustainability

Atos and WWF partner up to leverage technology to support biodiversity conservation

Atos and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) have announced a 3-year strategic partnership to leverage technology to support biodiversity conservation and to encourage businesses to decarbonize. This comprehensive partnership has been designed to tackle three key priorities – business transformation, financing and influence – which are essential to effectively tackle the current biodiversity crisis.

As part of the partnership, four main initiatives are being rolled out, leveraging the expertise of Atos and WWF teams from all over the world.

 

Atos to develop responsible IT solutions for WWF and its partners

Atos and WWF have defined the following projects by which conservation organizations and other stakeholders could benefit from Atos’ technological expertise.

  • Automating biodiversity surveillance – The first project aims to bring automation to the monitoring of important ecosystems. Atos experts are working to combine the use of artificial intelligence to analyze satellite imagery with the development of algorithms which identify patterns over a given time period in order to identify irregular trends which might indicate a negative biodiversity impact. In the future, organizations will not only be able to identify the areas of greatest concern, but also benefit from predictive solutions for nature conservation. The first pilot, currently being developed, will analyze grasslands and savannahs in East Africa.

 

  • Predicting & preventing epidemic risk – The second project focuses on predicting hotspots of emergence for  zoonoses – diseases that jump between      species, including humans. Atos teams are developing machine learning algorithms to analyze demographic, environmental, animal health and pathogen data, in order to identify patterns and predict the risk of new diseases. These solutions will complement existing surveillance systems by providing predictive data, to help governments and organizations anticipate and take preventive actions before the threat of an epidemic becomes a reality. A pilot is being developed to analyze data available in the Mekong basin.

 

  • Improving tech tools – The third project aims at improving an existing solution known as SMART – a Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool – which is already used by 50,000 agents in 80 countries to support wildlife and ecosystem conservation. Atos experts are developing a streamlined, more efficient process with SMART’s IT team, to enhance its usability in the field. In addition, they are developing improved dashboards and visualization options to give users greater and more granular insight into their data. They are also enhancing SMART with a tool to support users working to shift ‘conflict to coexistence’, that is, holistically manage conflicts between humans and wildlife to create mutual benefits of coexistence.

 

Atos and WWF to help advance decarbonization initiatives for industries

Atos and WWF have envisioned to analyze every year, an industry which has a significant carbon footprint, to identify its main decarbonization levers and provide recommendations to accelerate their decarbonization efforts. The first report focuses on shipping, which accounted for around 80% of global trade by volume in 2022, and is responsible for around 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions*.

Since the publication of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee’s new greenhouse gas (GHG) strategy in July 2023, Atos and WWF teams have compiled the literature devoted to the decarbonization of shipping into a comprehensive report. They found that most research focuses on new fuels and ship design, initiatives that could take a long time to have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions. In order to provide sustainability leaders with a clear and more achievable mid-term roadmap, the research focuses on energy efficiency, operational levers and concrete use cases where digital technology can help the shipping industry decarbonize its operations.

 

Atos to support on-site WWF France biodiversity projects

As part of the partnership, Atos supports two carbon capture and restoration projects managed by WWF France:

  • the Posidonia project, which aims to protect the meadows of Posidonia, a plant noticeable by its extensive capacity to stock carbon, in the Mediterranean region (mainly Turkey, Greece, France and Tunisia),
  • the Nature Impact project for the conservation or restoration of forest biodiversity in France, using the approach developed by WWF based on Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES).

 

Atos and WWF to encourage employee involvement in sustainability projects driven by WWF

Many of Atos employees are already regularly involved in volunteer work and environmental preservation. Atos and WWF aim to facilitate and encourage their commitment with a dedicated program that will integrate onsite and digital volunteering opportunities in one platform compliant with CSR reporting frameworks. The first engagement programs for Atos employees will be launched in pilot countries in 2024.

 

Kirsten Schuijt, Director General WWF, said “The devastating impacts of climate change and nature loss are felt everywhere. This dual crisis requires urgent, innovative and scalable solutions. Technology, if channeled in the right way, has the enormous potential to help address some of the pressing challenges we face today. We’re excited about this new partnership with Atos as it will enable us to collaborate on advancing much-needed technological tools to support our efforts to stop and reverse nature loss at a policy level and in the field.”

 

Véronique Andrieux, CEO WWF France, said “We are very excited to announce our partnership with Atos, which is already delivering results on optimizing and increasing the reach of some of WWF’s conservation projects. Helping us better identify changes in the habitats of Key Biodiversity Areas or modernizing some of the data collection and analysis tools used by our wildlife conservation teams are some of the outcomes already achieved by our common work. Our partnership with Atos represents a significant step forward, enabling us to harness technology for helping deliver our conservation objectives.”

 

Nourdine Bihmane, Deputy CEO Atos and CEO Tech Foundations, said “We are excited to announce this strategic partnership with WWF which is in line with our respective ambitions and expertise. Atos has been committed for over 12 years to decarbonize its own operations as well as accompany its customers in their own efforts. I am extremely proud that our technological expertise is being put to work to accelerate decarbonization strategies and support WWF’s conservation practices and biodiversity projects worldwide.”

 

The Atos Group has been committed to minimize the environmental impact of its activities across the value chain worldwide for over 12 years. Atos’ main ambitions are to fully contribute to a more decarbonized and sustainable world by reducing and offsetting its own carbon emissions and to promote digital solutions that support its supply chain and clients in their own decarbonization journeys. The partnership with WWF, run by the Tech Foundations business line, is fully aligned with these objectives.

The Atos Group has been a member of both the 2022 Dow Jones Sustainability Index World and Europe for 8 years, and ranks among the first 3 European companies in the IT services sector. Atos has been listed A for more than 10 years by the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), which rewards actions to fight global warming.

 

* Source : https://sciencebasedtargets.org/news/sbti-launches-world-first-roadmap-for-net-zero-shipping-by-2040

Climate, Climate Action, Motor Industry, News, Sport, Sustainability

Formula E and UNICEF set to auction unique sculpture made from broken race car parts, raising funds for climate emergency

  • Unique sculpture made from Formula E racing car parts will be auctioned to benefit children’s organisation’s climate programmes.
  • ‘Children’s Planet’ installation, created from previously used parts from Formula E race cars in Season 8, represents impact of climate change on young people.
  • Formula E is the first global sports organisation to partner with UNICEF’s global climate fund and nears target of benefitting 3 million children and young people in three years.
  • UNICEF’s climate programmes, as part of the Safe and Healthy Environment Fund, target those most affected by and at risk of climate change impacts.

A unique sculpture made from previously used Formula E race car parts is set to be auctioned by the partners. The installation was created to raise awareness of the impact of climate change on young people. 

Entitled Children’s Planet, the stunning piece measuring 2.5m in diameter was designed and made by British sculptor, Charles Elliot, using parts of the Formula E GEN2 race cars used in Season 8. It was unveiled at Formula E’s London E-Prix finale of Season 9 in the Championship.

Broken and damaged parts were gifted by all 11 Formula E teams as part of the Formula E Teams Manufacturing Association, with their reuse highlighting the importance of circularity in manufacturing and the teams’ collective support for the championship’s partner, UNICEF.

Formula E, the world’s first sport to be certified net zero carbon since inception, was the first international sports organisation to partner with UNICEF to tackle climate change through the support of its Safe and Healthy Environment Fund.

The money raised from the auction will directly contribute to the climate fund which helps create a planet where every child can live in a safe, clean and sustainable environment through providing educational and healthcare schemes that directly benefit those most affected by climate change.

The sculpture depicts an incomplete globe with 11 child-like figures in the centre, representing all teams of the championship while aiming to raise awareness of children and young people being disproportionately affected by the effects of climate change. By positioning them in the centre, the sculpture also highlights the leading role that children and young people play as powerful agents for change.

Since 2021, when Formula E and UNICEF established an innovative partnership, their work has benefited 2.5 million children and young people, through climate change programmes across the world. In 2022 alone, more than 1.8 million children and young people benefited through the partnership.

 

Jeff Dodds, CEO, Formula E, said:

“This stunning creation showcases the collective effort across the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship to support UNICEF’s vital work through its Safe and Healthy Environment Fund. As the world’s leading professional sport combining high-performance and sustainability without compromise, we are proud to be the first sport to partner with UNICEF on climate-related issues.”

 

Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive, The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), said: 

“Children and young people play a key role in addressing climate-related risks by promoting environmentally sustainable lifestyles and setting an example for their communities; they are at the centre of issues arising from climate change. It is wonderful to see Children’s Planet, position children and young people, in their rightful place, at the centre of the globe, to acknowledge them as active agents, taking action against climate change issues. I would like to thank our partner, Formula E, for helping UNICEF create a cleaner, safer environment.”

 

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns in Season 10 with the 2024 Mexico City E-Prix on Saturday, 13 January 2024 and includes a debut Formula E race on the streets of Tokyo on Saturday, 30 March.

Charity & CSR, Climate, Climate Action, News

The past year has brought conflicts and health crises of “outstanding proportions”, warns leading humanitarian expert

Shameet Thakkar, a leading humanitarian aid expert and founder of Unimed Procurement Services, writes of the challenges those working in the sector face – and predicts these challenges will continue deep into 2024:

“Humanitarian aid should be a continued focus in our world. Unfortunately, there’s no end in sight for what the world is experiencing right now – climate change, conflicts, health crises – which means humanitarian aid and relief will continue to be called into action.

“In the last month alone there have been floods in Canada, India, London and South Korea, just to name a few. There are unbelievable heat waves across Europe, as well as harmful wildfires. Amongst other things, climate change is having a huge impact on the day-to-day lives of people.

“The past year has also brought conflicts and health crises of outstanding proportions. Ukraine, Lebanon and Sudan and are just some of the countries whose populations have been struck by unimaginable suffering.

“Now, think about the burden on the people affected – humanitarian aid and relief organisations are being called into action all the time to provide essential assistance. It’s therefore crucial that they can continue to be available to respond to emergencies.

“In turn, this means that supporting those organisations should be our priority. There isn’t a global, cyclical up and down when it comes to humanitarian aid. These organisations never stop working.”

Shameet explains how global economic issues are also impacting the sector:

“It is no secret that the world is experiencing high interest rates, inflation and a cost-of-living crisis, and businesses around the world are finding themselves in a more difficult position.

“But that’s due to markets – and consumer habits – changing. Yet there is no such thing as consumer habits when it comes to humanitarian aid. People can’t forgo shelter, clean water or essential medical products, regardless of interest rates or inflation.”

On the challenges which lie ahead, he predicted: “The world is changing, and yet through it all, humanitarian aid continues to play a crucial role in the development of people’s lives and countries.

“Developing countries just cannot provide enough support to their citizens, meaning there is a gap – international development organisations exist to plug that gap. And if those organisations don’t have enough funding, they won’t be able to provide their services; the consequential impact can be enormous.

“Issues such as the cost-of-living crisis and inflation pale in comparison to what some of the more unfortunate people in the world are experiencing. We have a duty to do everything in our power to support and empower the organisations that are making a difference.”

Shameet also warns that the challenges in this area are likely to last long into next year:

“I also expect these challenges will last long and deep into 2024. That’s why we need to make plans right now to ensure we have effective strategies in place for the new demands everyone working in this field faces.”

 

Climate, Climate Action, News

Leading Intelligence Provider Says Lack Of Preparation For Climate Change Is Threat To UK And Global Security

KCS Group Europe Warns Critical Supply Chains At Risk From Extreme Climate Events

KCS Group Europe (KCSGE) says a failure to prepare for the full impact of climate change in the UK is a risk to national security, and the government is underestimating the global security threat caused by it.

The House of Commons Committee on Climate Change (CCC) says it has warned the government repeatedly about poor preparation for extreme climate events and the risks that emanate from that.

The government’s National Adaptation Programme is due to be published later this year and the CCC warns it is “make or break”.

 

KCSGE CEO Stuart Poole-Robb says: “2022 should act as a warning. With temperatures in England of over 40 degrees Celsius, mortality rose, transport networks were disrupted, drought ruined crops and wildfires endangered lives and properties.

“Government advisers estimate that one fifth of critical supply chains for goods, services and food are vulnerable to climate incidents. If you look at the global picture, the effect is amplified with serious consequences for us all.

“3.6 billion people live in climate change hotspots. Drought, failed crops, food security, destruction to homes and livelihoods and fuel shortages drive migration and instability across the world.”

 

KCS Group Europe has previously highlighted the threat of grain and fertiliser shortages resulting from the war in Ukraine.

Crossbench peer and former national security adviser, Peter Ricketts, argues that restoring the UK government’s cuts to its overseas aid budget would help to limit the shocks to our own food supply. The UK imports 50% of its food from abroad.

 

Poole-Robb says: “The UK government has, so far, failed to put in place a robust strategy which reflects the seriousness of the risks we all face. Ministers need to address this as a matter of urgency.”

 

Carbon Reduction, Climate Action, Environment, Environment News, News

UK’s largest steel manufacturer commits to meeting its carbon neutral goal five years earlier than national net-zero target

International steel producer, Tata Steel, has announced a new company ambition; a reduction of CO2 emissions, that will see the business become carbon neutral by 2045. This is five years ahead of the UK wide target of 2050, and will be achieved on a science based trajectory, enabling Building Systems UK (Tata Steel’s sustainable building systems provider) to supply building products to the construction sector that are carbon neutral.

The Welsh-based steelmaking company is renowned across the UK, and the rest of the world for its sustainable steel and building systems solutions. In its commitment to be as environmentally friendly as possible, Building Systems UK has also pledged to reduce all CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030 as well.

 

Jo Evans, Managing Director of Building Systems UK says: “We recognise that today’s changing world is faced with a climate emergency, and the team in the UK is committed to providing a positive environmental legacy. 

“Businesses across a variety of industries will be looking to alter operations and improve supply chains to meet the 2050 carbon neutral goal from the Paris Agreement. We have proudly invested in and developed solutions, products and an ecosystem on our decarbonisation journey to reach this milestone as early as possible within our own industry. 

“Rising energy costs, sourcing materials, and supply chain issues are just a handful of issues that can respectively contribute to everyday businesses having higher CO2 outputs. It’s easy to kick the can down the road and wait to deal with this problem later, but the damage to the environment is irreparable, and businesses should urgently look at small changes they can make to commit to reaching a CO2 neutral target as early as possible,” concludes Jo.

 

Building Systems UK’s Shotton Works site in North Wales has been producing market-leading steel products for 125 years. Its decarbonisation goals are well in advance of the deadlines set by the Paris Agreement, which is testament to its innovative approach and practices. 

This announcement and pledge at the Welsh site includes four key themes of sustainable development:

  • Reducing the site’s carbon footprint by assessing the real carbon impact of operations
  • Developing and producing products and services that support sustainable operation within its industry, and its clients as a result
  • Protecting and expanding the biodiversity that co-exists on the site and nearby to the headquarters
  • Maximising the material efficiency and achieving zero onsite waste, by making sustainability schemes a priority 

 

Jo adds: “These themes encompass all areas of Shotton’s activities, giving us a clear focus for all our business decisions. There is no silver bullet when it comes to delivering a sustainable future; it’s only when the various aspects of mitigating climate change, supporting biodiversity and being a responsible manufacturer all come together that we can make a real difference.”

 

Climate, Climate Action, Marine Technology & Innovation

Ingka Investments announces €30 million Investment in €150 million impact fund will help marine tech innovators save our seas

IKEA retailers’ investment arm invests in the blue economy

The Ocean 14 Capital fund, focusing exclusively on the multi-trillion-dollar ‘blue economy’, has received an investment for €30 million from Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group which represents the largest IKEA retailer, to support its mission of funding sustainable solutions to improve ocean health.

It marks the first time Ingka Investments has invested in the ‘blue economy’ – a sector using ocean resources for economic growth and preservation.

Following the Principality of Monaco’s €10 million commitment from the sovereign wealth fund in September 2022, Ocean 14 Capital has now raised €130 million since launching its growth-stage impact fund in November 2021.

With this backing, the purpose-led €150 million impact fund believes it is well on track to grow its portfolio to between 20-25 businesses within three years, having invested in four companies to date.

Ocean action was a major talking point at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023 held in January in Davos, Switzerland.

A dedicated session on Ocean 20: Building a Sustainable Blue Economy featured Peter Thomson, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean and Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum’s community of ocean leaders, Friends of Ocean Action, flag that a sustainable blue economy represents no less than “the future of human security” and is critical for intergenerational justice – as he urged leaders to seize the critical opportunities for Ocean Action in 2023.

Using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 14: Life Below Water as a guiding principle, Ocean 14 Capital is searching for entrepreneurs and businesses with big ideas around aquaculture and alternative proteins, reducing plastic waste pollution, protecting ecosystems and marine flora, and ending overfishing.

The fund’s mission is to supercharge the blue economy, which is expected to be worth $3 trillion by 2030, according to the OECD. At the same time, it will provide jobs to 40 million people (OECD;pg2).

 

Chris Gorell Barnes, Co-Founder of Ocean 14 Capital, said: “It is a real testament to the quality of our fund and intention that Ingka Investments has come on board in such a significant capacity.

“If there’s no ocean, there’s no us – it connects us all. It provides food security and plays a vital role in achieving the UN sustainability agenda.

“Davos 2023 radically shifted the dial on the conversation this year. There is a powerful undercurrent of momentum emerging as people are increasingly waking up to the fact that ocean’s health is the engine to economic growth – and critical to national and global development.

“Is this the most important investment thesis of our time? We fervently believe yes. Without a healthy marine eco-system there is zero chance of humanity surviving.

“I’d like to think we are at the tipping point of where the blue economy becomes mainstream. In less than two years we have backed four ground-breaking growth-stage companies, doing extraordinary work. So for Ingka Investments to recognize this just spurs us on further.

“Tackling climate change and food security is vital for retailers – ocean health has a direct positive impact for consumers and commerce”.

Ingka Investments [1], one of the three core businesses of Ingka Group [2], the largest owner and operator of IKEA Retail.

Head of Financial Market Investments at Ingka Investments, Samuel Rundle said: “Ingka Group is guided by the IKEA vision to create a better everyday life for the many. As a purpose-led company, our aim is to invest with impact, delivering positive returns for communities and the environment for generations to come. Ocean health is critical to a cleaner and more inclusive recovery. We were very impressed with the strategy of the Ocean 14 team and are excited to support the acceleration of sustainable solutions to improve our oceans.”

First launched in November of 2021, the Ocean 14 Capital fund will focus primarily on investing in growth-stage businesses. It is aiming that around two thirds of the fund will go to companies based in Europe, with the remainder aimed to be used to invest in the rest of the world.

The Ocean 14 Capital Fund previously completed a €80 million first close in November 2021, with backers including the European Investment Fund (EIF), Chr. Augustinus Fabrikker, Builders Vision, Minderoo Foundation, and British businessman Alex Beard and Swedish entrepreneur Niklas Zennström.

 

Image credit: George Duffield