Tag Archives: COP26

Climate, News

Giving power to the consumer on the road to net-zero

Mike Woodhall, CEO, Chameleon Technology, argues that our homes’ energy management needs to move into the modern day. Just as technology and real-time, rich data has become mainstream in so many other aspects of our lives, we now need to apply it within our homes to make change seamless, easy and personal – if we are ever to reach net-zero. 

The way in which we engage with energy consumption within our homes has remained stuck in the dark ages whereas smart technology increasingly dominates most other aspects of our lives. For example, there is a huge divide between the car we have on the driveway and the property we live in. With the ability to tell us what our fuel consumption is; how many miles are left; when a service is needed; when tyres are at the wrong pressure; and to dynamically suggest route changes when an incident arises, our cars are underpinned by technology that makes it as simple as possible for us as consumers to run them as efficiently as possible.

The way we use energy in our homes will play a critical part in society’s path to net-zero, but by comparison, we are not as engaged and our homes provide little insight when it comes to energy usage. Whilst smart meters and In-Home-Displays (IHDs) are increasingly – and necessarily – present in homes, the data they provide is but the starting point for change. It remains today far too complex for the average consumer to truly take control of the carbon footprint of their own home.

Awareness but no control

Consumer awareness of net-zero and the environment is on the rise as various target dates for emission reductions loom large. With a huge drive to hit net-zero by 2050; ceasing the sale of new diesel and petrol cars by 2030; and a focus on the upcoming COP26, pressure is mounting for us all to play our part in reducing our carbon footprint. Increased awareness of climate change is leading to more sustainable life choices for many as reducing our personal environmental impact remains a key issue at the forefront of people’s minds. The pandemic has also led consumers to be more aware of the environmental impact of their actions, as well as making homeowners more conscious of outgoings – including rising bills. 

Despite this, consumers today have very little control in the move to net-zero. Thus far, the spotlight has been on large organisations and the Government whilst most of the general public have to observe from afar a conversation that has not involved or engaged with them. Consumers have been left with little ability, or knowledge, to contribute to the reduction of their own carbon footprint when it comes to one of the largest uses of energy: their homes. Whether consumers are motivated by sustainability, by saving money, or a combination of both, there is a lot to be gained from a reduction in energy consumption, or at the very least a refocus on how and when we are using our energy. In order to make a real impact in the journey to net-zero, consumers need to be given the information they need to take action to make a real difference. 

Increasing access to home energy data

Smart meters and IHDs are the starting point, giving consumers the access they need to their own, personal, real-time data on energy usage. The proliferation of dynamic, “time of use” tariffs will encourage consumers to use their knowledge of their energy data to adjust usage and therefore costs in real-time, so they can choose, for example, to switch on power hungry appliances at a time of day or night when prices are at their lowest and less carbon intense. But, is this enough? Getting out of bed at 2am when energy is cheaper to turn on an appliance is not a realistic or attractive option for many of us. Even with an app or the ability to pre-set, it still requires a lot of management and time. 

Currently, home energy data is too broad, providing little specific detail on an individual home and, more fundamentally, the behaviour of those within it, giving little insight for the consumer to make a decision on usage. A solution that takes the data from the IHD and gives it meaning – insights that are simple and personalised – is the next step in the quest to solve the problem for consumers. It must be accessible and affordable for all regardless of income, property size or type. And, critically, it needs to make decision-making effortless, automated and future-proof. 

Balancing supply and demand

Within the next few years, more major changes will be upon us – Electric Vehicles (EVs) will become the norm  and it is predicted that there will be approximately 15 million battery EVs on the road in the UK by 2035. Additionally, with the Government’s ambition to deliver 19 million heat pumps by 2050 and a ban on the installation of gas boilers in new build properties from 2025, the way our lives, and homes, run is going to fundamentally change. 

In parallel, the current volatility in the supply side of power, especially increasing gas prices and the susceptibility to disruption of international power links, has highlighted the need for a far more flexible and sustainable approach to our energy supply. 

As power increasingly comes from renewables we will need to be able to integrate local supply into the energy mix. EVs, heat pumps and other renewable sources will transform consumers from power users to potential power generators and suppliers, able to use these resources to both store energy and produce energy for the home, or indeed, sell it back to the grid. The demand-side and supply-side of power will change for good: any technology and data-led solution will have to be smart and flexible enough to keep up. 

What’s next for consumers? 

In the near future, we will be able to present a blend of real-time and historic data as insights, to be used by homeowners to make changes. We will be empowered to make more informed decisions on how to manage our energy. And, looking ahead, the use of apps can modernise this further still by connecting with other smart home technology to provide us with an understanding of which appliances are costing the most and how to balance this. For example, smart / connected appliances can be automatically switched on, EVs charged when prices are low – or even feed back to the home or grid when demand is high. 

Through the combined use of an app, data from IHDs and a consumer’s personal home energy usage, the way we manage our energy in our homes will be transformed. In much the same way as our cars give us the control and choice to help us run them as efficiently as possible, requiring minimal consumer input, it is only a matter of time before we have the capability to power our homes with the lowest environmental impact and lowest energy cost, whilst also helping to balance demand- and supply-side. 

Conclusion 

A revolution in home energy is coming, driven by the need to reach net-zero and the need to give control to the consumer so that we can make informed choices. The future of home energy is going to be dynamic, automated and intuitive. Whilst consumers begin to invest in EVs and switch to dynamic  tariffs, the use of technology and apps – and critically, the data behind those, for energy management will be key. It is vital we revolutionise our homes and put the power in the hands of consumers. 

Events, News

COP26 and the sustainable future of events

Written by Alex Hughes, Co-founder, Totem Hybrid Events

Covid-19 was a ‘reset’ moment for the events industry. We stopped, we worried, and we all responded in different ways to that moment – and we are still adapting to the ripples of change.

Alongside that reset, something else happened – something which came as a surprise to many. We saw Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues move into the foreground for business, something which it had been able to marginalise or ignore for too long. The onus shifted onto what big business can do to help society and the wider world.

In that moment of pause for the events world, many of us thought about our ESG responsibilities much more seriously – and also about the potential for reputational damage by ignoring these issues.

 

COP26 and the focus on events

There was a lot to think about. Event management choices have a huge impact on the environment. In the UK alone, the events industry emits 1.2 billion kg of CO2 emissions every year. From supply chains to programming, waste reduction to travel, venues to marketing – all of these potential pitfalls require important decision-making and reputational reckoning.

But it would be completely wrong for us to look at this situation as an exercise in damage limitation. We also have huge opportunities to bring about positive change in many ways across all industries. Events provide a place to share ideas and to accelerate sustainable change on a global scale. And with the right systems in place, events can also have a much smaller negative impact on the planet.

One event that aims to achieve great things is of course COP26. As the UN Climate change conference sets out to secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach, countries are being asked to come forward with ambitious 2030 emissions reductions targets that align with reaching net zero by the middle of the century.

But as the main architect of the Paris climate agreement, Christiana Figueres, recently commented, it will be key for the event’s organisers to use some element of hybrid and to find the “sweet spot” between physical and virtual to allow for safe and efficient negotiations.

 

The advantage of hybrid

Hybrid event technology represents the sustainable future of events, in which people from across the world can attend from anywhere and vastly reduce the carbon footprint of the event in doing so. But in fact, there is a range of ground-breaking tech that can help to further offset climate dangers, enabling all events organisers large and small to present a better future for the event industry, and to reduce CO2 emissions.

As an example of how this can work, we’ve recently been involved in turning Climate Week NYC into a hybrid event. This brought speakers including the Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, Al Gore and Bill Gates to a global audience with minimal impact on the environment, allowing attendees to log in using a virtual events platform.

The event was a huge focus for the global sustainability movement ahead of COP26, with over 3,000 registrations from senior business and government leaders taking part across the world.

 

Moving faster to find solutions

In the model that I’ve just outlined, we need to make every event as good for virtual as it is for those who attend in person. We need to make the user experience equal for everyone, wherever they’re joining from – and that blended experience of the physical and virtual is how we get true engagement for all kinds of attendees.

By allowing people to have an event in their pocket from the moment they leave the house to the moment they get home, we can spread the load of personal impact wider and deeper. This will make networking as fluid and friction-free as possible.

A hybrid event enables people to use technology to connect more easily. And this is important because the Climate Clock is ticking – counting down the critical time window to reach zero emissions. By using hybrid event technology at important events such as Climate Week and COP26, people can arrive at solutions more quickly.

There is no doubting the importance of face-to-face when it comes to networking – particularly when the ultimate goal is to deliver on promises, however not all stages of the networking process need to be physical until that final moment. Instead of waiting weeks to meet in person, we can meet virtually within minutes, thus accelerating the process of change.

 

Gamification

Not only does tech offer the opportunity for people to minimise their carbon footprint, it also offers innovative solutions that can make sustainable activities more engaging and therefore more meaningful.

We recently worked with Informa Connect on a mobile App for attendees of its physical events worldwide. This App uses gamification functionality to allow users to collect points that convert into the planting of new mangroves under Million Mangroves, an established and fully validated project that supports positive climate action.

The Million Mangroves project plants and protects mangroves in the Philippines, Kenya and Indonesia that store huge amounts of carbon – up to four times more than rainforests – while protecting wildlife habitats and supporting local communities.

 

The challenge

The entire events industry needs to come together to find ways to achieve shared sustainability goals via technology and innovation. By offering opportunities and choices to our attendees, sponsors and exhibitors, we can provide more chances to not only reduce the industry’s carbon footprint, but to actively be a driving force in evolving the business world’s approach to ESG.

 

Climate, News

UK Deathcare sector urged to face up to its part in the environmental emergency

Medical advancements and better living standards have contributed to people living much longer, but with around 1% of the populace dying each year, for many years, the death care sector along with most of society has been unknowingly contributing to Global Warming and Climate Change.

As COP26 approaches and sustainability is brought to the top of the global agenda, industry experts are urging the deathcare sector to face up to the role it is playing in the escalating environmental emergency.

New information has emerged about the toxicity of materials involved in body disposal, from the ecological effects of embalming fluids and coffins, through to the effects of natural body composition and even the release of mercury from tooth fillings. What is clear is that the sector as a whole is facing a significant challenge when it comes to addressing and reversing its contribution to the Climate Crisis. 

The pressure to implement change is no longer coming from the smaller, eco-conscious subsections of the community alone.  As of 24th February, it was reported that 300 out of a total of 404 District, County, Unitary and Metropolitan Councils had so far declared a Climate Emergency. This includes 8 combined Authorities and City Regions.  As part of the declaration, aggressive timelines and plans are being put into place to address all of the areas under their control, including death care services. Time is of the essence too, with the vast majority of these plans set to be implemented by 2030. 

“Many death care professionals think that it is impossible to avoid the negative impacts on the environment completely, regardless of whether customers are opting for burials or cremations,” explains Scott Storey, Head of European Operations for OpusXenta, a global technology company serving the death care profession and its suppliers.

Earlier this year, Scott conducted a webinar ‘The Climate Emergency: What Changes Can Crematoria, Funeral Homes and Cemeteries Make to Protect Our Environment?, alongside  Executive Officer for the FBCA, Brendan Day and guests from the sector. In it they discussed the steps that Funeral Directors, Crematoria and Cemeteries can take to help limit their impact on the environment. 

These included:

  • Pollution reduction – a single cremation generates NOx (greenhouse gas) emissions equivalent to a car travelling 2,280 miles. Burials are also problematic, due to toxic chemicals which leach into the soil and have been detected in groundwater around cemeteries, posing a risk to public health.
  • Preserving Ecological Habitats – the intensive maintenance of lawns  and memorial plots in cemeteries and gardens of remembrance continues to damage the environment and the local ecology.
  • Recycling – there is more to be done than just composting of floral tributes or the reuse of plastic, including rainwater harvesting solar panels and even electrical car charging ports.
  • Energy Consumption – crematoria consume significant amounts of energy which often just escapes directly into the atmosphere, however there are ways in which some of this energy can be captured and reused.

Scott believes that the death care sector as a whole must accept the role it continues to play in the climate crisis. “Despite providing much needed and valued services to the communities they operate in, their impact on the environment continues to be damaging and unsustainable. By taking practical steps to fully assess the operation, identifying areas for improvement and actively seeking out solutions which benefit the environment, bereavement service professionals can ensure that the future death care sector delivers far more than it takes away,” he says.

“What is clear is that the most fundamental shift needs to come in mindset, outlook and company culture. It is only by changing your perspective and considering the environmental impact of all activities undertaken can we truly start to make the necessary changes, and see them permeate the entire death care sector,” concludes Scott. 

Executive Officer of the Federation, Brendan Day, said ‘the need for education across the sector and amongst the public is central to ensuring we can reduce the impact of funerals on the environment. To encourage this shift we now provide our members with a free Environmental Awareness Report when we carry out Compliance Inspections and we encourage them to adopt an Environmental policy to support their efforts to be more sustainable’. 

Environment, Environment News, News

The Glasgow Tourism Declaration – for climate change action across travel and tourism

COP26 Summit is taking place in in Glasgow 31 October – 12 November 2021. It aims to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. See https://ukcop26.org/

In anticipation of this the Glasgow Tourism Declaration has been created. The Glasgow Declaration aims to catalyse an acceleration of climate action across travel and tourism during the COVID-19 recovery and beyond. It defines a clear and consistent sector-wide message and approach to climate action in the coming decade, aligned with the wider scientific framework and urgency to act now.

This was discussed at an event in September 2021 in advance of the Glasgow Declaration’s official launch at COP26 this November. The event explored the Declaration’s background and purpose and introduced some case studies of frontrunners delivering Climate Action in Tourism.  It also introduced the pathways proposed in the Glasgow Declaration to accelerate tourism’s ability to transform and achieve net zero as soon as possible. You can learn more by watching the even here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA2oflMGpfk

Professor Geoffrey Lipman, President of SUNx Malta, says:

“The Glasgow Tourism Declaration is a great start to improve sector climate response, and we are pleased to be an early signatory. It moves in the right direction, but it has to go further, and it has to go faster. It builds on previous UNWTO Tourism & Climate Declarations in Djerba in 2003 and Davos in 2007. All good and well intentioned, but now we need much more to help to avert the “Code Red” Climate Crisis that the UN states we are all facing.

“To fully respond to the science and the extreme weather calamities around the world we need a DASH-2-Zero if we are to cross the finishing line in time. The Glasgow goal of a Net Carbon Zero travel industry by 2050 should shift to 2030, with a hard stop of all greenhouse gas emissions (carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, and methane compounds) by 2050. This will be our focus.

“What is very positive is the emphasis on measurement and recorded reduction in emissions by companies and communities and we stand ready to support the Glasgow process with the SUNx Malta Climate Friendly Travel Registry, which is linked directly to the main UN Global Climate Action Portal.”

  

About SUNx Malta

SUNx is an EU based, not-for-profit organisation, established as a legacy for Maurice Strong, climate and sustainability pioneer and partnered with the government of Malta.

SUNx Malta created the ‘Green & Clean, Climate Friendly Travel System’ which is designed to help Travel & Tourism companies and communities transform to the new Climate Economy. The programme is based on reducing carbon, meeting Sustainable Development Goals, and matching the Paris 1.5C trajectory. It is action and education focused – supporting today’s companies and communities to deliver on their climate ambitions and encouraging tomorrow’s young leaders to prepare for rewarding careers across the travel sector. It’s co-founder and President is Professor Geoffrey Lipman.

SUNxMalta is calling for a DASH-2-Zero for the influential Travel & Tourism sector.  Pushing for further action faster. Yes, to Net Zero Carbon, but by 2030 and a commitment to NO Greenhouse gases by 2050. DASH means Declare & Act with Support & Hope. SUNx Malta is training 100,000 young Strong Climate Champions across all UN States by 2030. Together with our 17 Sustainable Development Goal partners we are offering a UNFCCC linked Registry of Accelerated Ambition and support for Climate Friendly companies and communities

To learn more, visit their website:  https://www.thesunprogram.com/