HHIC July 2013

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HHIC C JULY 2013 ISSUE 20

Rebel with a cause TV Naturalist Chris Packham shouts above the noise

THE RT HON EDWARD DAVEY MP | PROFESSOR MIKE BRADSHAW DR TONY WATERSTON | THE CARBON TRUST | 2OC

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CONTENTS

WELCOME

FROM YOUR EDITOR This issue is bursting with top contributors. If you enjoyed the new series of BBC’s Springwatch then you might have noticed that we have one of its presenters on the cover. I cornered Chris Packham at one of his Wild Night Out talks when he was stuck behind a desk and asked him for an interview. Being a kind chap he agreed and has provided us with an honest and inspiring interview. The Rt Hon Edward Davey MP talks about keeping the bills down and protecting the planet. Have you ever considered the impact of your carbon footprint on health? Well, if the answer is no, then find out more from Dr Tony Waterston, a retired paediatrician and clinical lecturer. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne’s ‘dash for gas’ phrase is

bandied about the media. But what is the future of natural gas in the UK? Professor Mike Bradshaw debates this issue. HHIC has produced some major new research called, ‘Pathways for Domestic Heat’ and Roger Webb in ‘Matter in Question’ reveals more. Are you worried about your brand reputation? James Persad from The Carbon Trust says it is time to get tough on brand crime. I hope you are not eating chips as you read my words. Have you considered what happens to all that fat? Andrew Mercer from 2OC is turning fatbergs into energy to heat schools. Hmmm wonder how many schools I would heat if you melted me down.

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Jodie Wiltshire, editor@hhic.org.uk, Twitter: @HHIC

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Cover image: Chris Packham www.chrispackham.co.uk

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If you are interested in submitting editorial for HHIC Journal, please contact the Editor, Jodie Wiltshire on 01926 513743 or e-mail editor@hhic.org.uk The Editor reserves the right to withhold or edit any material submitted for publication. The Editor’s decision is final. Views expressed in HHIC Journal are not necessarily the official view of the Heating & Hotwater Industry Council. The inclusion of advertising, circulation of any advertising literature or enclosures with HHIC Journal does not signify HHIC endorsement of any of the products or items concerned.

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CONTENTS JULY 2013 ISSUE 20 FEATURES

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THIS IS WHO I AM

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KEEPING BILLS DOWN AND PROTECTING THE PLANET

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GAS BY DESIGN OR GAS AS DEFAULT? The future of natural gas in the UK

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THE NATURE OF BUSINESS

BBC Naturalist Chris Packham shoots from the hip on a range of issues from biofuel to pests

Rt Hon Edward Davey MP debates what the government is planning to do

Professor Mike Bradshaw on the future role of gas in the UK’s energy system

Read a review of Giles Hutchins must read book for everyone involved in the business of the future

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IS YOUR BRAND VALUE AT RISK?

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CARBON, CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH – NOT ALL BAD NEWS

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WHERE THERE’S MUCK THERE’S MAGIC Andrew Mercer CEO from 20C reveals how they make renewable energy from fats and oils

James Persad from The Carbon Trust reveals how important brand is

REGULARS

to your business

Dr Tony Waterston explains the impact that your carbon footprint has on your health

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MATTER IN QUESTION Roger Webb reveals some major new research called HHIC Pathways for Domestic Heat to help meet the government’s emission targets

CONTRIBUTORS Chris Packham

Edward David MP

Professor Mike Bradshaw

Dr Tony Waterston

Chris Packham spent his undergraduate days at the Zoology department of Southampton University. He also embraced Punk Rock and played in a band. Post-graduation and a cancelled PhD, he began taking still photographs and trained as a wildlife film cameraman. The photography continues with exhibitions and invitations to judge prestigious competitions but the camerawork gave way to presenting. Chris began with the award winning ’Really Wild Show’ in 1986 and has been working ever since. Credits include Postcards from the Wild’, ‘Hands on Nature’, ‘Nature’s Calendar’, ‘Springwatch’, ‘Autumnwatch’, and ‘Secrets of our Living Planet.’

Edward Davey was appointed Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change in February 2012. He is the Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston and Surbiton.

Professor Mike Bradshaw is currently leading a UKERC-funded research project on global gas security. He is Professor of Human Geography at the University of Leicester and soon takes up the post of Professor of Global Energy at Warwick Business School.

Tony is a retired consultant paediatrician and clinical senior lecturer whose working life was spent mainly in community paediatrics in inner city Newcastle upon Tyne. He is an editor of the Journal of Tropical Pediatrics and is project director for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Palestine programme, which is about to establish an MA in a Child Health course for primary care doctors, nurses and trainee paediatricians with Al Quds medical school in the occupied Palestinian territories. Currently he leads the climate change and health campaigning group in Medact (Medical Action for Global Security) and is a local council candidate for the Green Party.

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CHRIS PACKHAM

Chris Packham

Naturalist and wildlife presenter, Chris Packham is not afraid to speak his mind. He has a ferocious intelligence that he uses to deliver passionate but reasoned opinions. These are fuelled by growing up listening to music which challenged communities with its nihilistic anger, providing alienated youth with an ideology. It is not always easy to say what you really think, to go against the grain. It takes bravery and an inner fight to do so – Packham seems to have both. Packham reveals: “I was watching a programme I recorded on TV with a load of old punk tunes. It was the sound of the seventies or something. The first thing that was apparent not that I needed my memory refreshing very much was how much energy was involved compared to contemporary music. There was a huge amount of energy, anger and honesty. What I like about this mode of communication is that it is designed to be immediate. I find that motivational and I still listen to this genre of music as it does make me want to get up and do something rather than thinking someone else will sort the problem out.”

BY JODIE WILTSHIRE

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TO ME, PUNK IS ABOUT AN INDIVIDUAL AND GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN AND STANDING UP AND SAYING, ‘THIS IS WHO I AM.’ Joey Ramone

“PUNK WAS DEFINED BY AN ATTITUDE RATHER THAN A MUSIC STYLE”. David Byrne

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CHRIS PACKHAM

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ne of the greatest threats to the natural world is

has not happened because they had invested in it financially.

climate change and over-population. According

If you make a mistake you have to put your hand up and

to WWF’s Living Planet Report, humanity’s

own up to it and try and rectify it. Because they have built

overconsumption of food, material goods, fossil fuels, and

processing plants and integrated so much of it into our lives,

non-renewable resources is putting a huge toll on the planet,

they are incapable of pulling the plug on it.

exceeding its capacity to sustain us. But many of us refuse to

“And as a consequence of that decision, we have this

see the bigger picture and focus much closer to home on our

immensely destructive force in our environment and it is not

immediate environment.

just the palm oil plantations of the Far East. A significant

Packham believes that this is the case because it is a

live are planted for biofuel. They are heavily fertilised and

climate changes we are seeing in the UK are influenced by

intensely sprayed and for what? It is criminally insane and no

events in other parts of the planet. For example, our current

one has the guts to say we need to stop this.”

wet spring, the shifting of the jet stream, the warming of the

planetary disaster because you cannot continue to grow

is difficult for people to see the tangibility. If we all had a week

when you have a limited resource. “A limited resource is the

in the space station looking down upon the planet, we would

diameter of the earth and it is not getting any bigger. You

realise just how small it is and how many of us are contributing

cannot continue to grow, it really is this simple. Economists

to this phenomenon. We just can’t get our heads around the

need to take their heads out of their computers and look out

fact that we only have one planet and what is happening next

the window and realise that we live on a biosphere that is

door on that planet is having an influence on us.

not getting any bigger.” But there are some organisations that appreciate that

state for ourselves and all the other species. The luxury of

business is less about unethical short cuts in the name of

disagreement over religion and politics will vanish, when

profit, and more about value creation through sustainability.

we realise that the main issue is about us surviving. We are

Chris Packham is keen on the Velvet Toilet tissue project

living in a student squat at the moment in abject squalor,

that is part of the SCA group. This project, called the ‘Three

with no regards to tomorrow. We need to think like a first

Trees’ Promise, plants three trees for each one used. It

time buyer, with lots of concern about how we are going to

means the company has surpassed the standard industry

look after our home for the next few years.”

practice of other industry tissue manufacturers, and since

In an ideal world nature and business behaviour would be more beneficial to each other. As a society we take so

2009 it has planted more than three million extra trees. Packham explains: “This project replants an extra tree

much from nature and yet not want to conserve it. One of the

in the ground in Brazil. The organisation is involved with a

issues at the moment is about the folly of pursuing biofuels

Brazilian sustainable forestry company called Amata that

at such an environmental cost. Chris Packham loathes

is sanctioned by the Brazilian government and universities.

biofuels with a passion. “I wander in a complete cloud of

To date they have put in four million trees into the ground

incomprehension when it comes to biofuels. It was years

in a series of projects looking into how they can replant

ago that the United Nations put its hands up and said that

rainforests so that they will be harvestable. This will create

they had made a massive mistake and biofuels were not

more wealth for communities who live there. It involves local

working and we need to get out as quickly as possible. This

communities from the beginning to clear the land, plough and

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Packham feels strongly that economic growth equals

Northern oceans, all these sorts of things are big issues and it

“The primary issue is to keep the planet in a liveable

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proportion of the crops planted in fields in France where I

global issue and not a local one. “We know that some of the

If we all had a week in the space station looking down upon the planet, we would realise just how small it is and how many of us are contributing to this phenomenon.”

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CHRIS PACKHAM

“I believe what we need to do is generate a greater tolerance of all these animals because whether we like them physically or fear them is immaterial - we need them.”

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plant trees and then harvest the trees with the fruit they produce.

insidious vested interests, in the sense they are involved with

A key component is at least a third of the acquired land will be

the petro- chemical industry or some other industry that is

pristine rainforest to keep those species.

contributing significantly to global warming. This is becoming transparent and their believability is fading fast. They are of no

“I am championing this project for two reasons. Firstly, if a

consequence really.”

company such as SCA decides to spend this much money and effort they must be applauded because that is part of the

Not surprisingly, considering what people are doing to the

impetus. We want companies to see it pays for them to take

planet and the natural world, Packham is not a great fan of

this approach. Secondly, without their funding conservationists

the human race. “I see them as a disease on the planet. While

could not achieve these projects on this scale.”

there are some fine human beings and I enjoy the company of

As Packham notes, the most successful large scale

my friends and family, as a species I find us very difficult to like.

conservation projects are not funded by government but

There are too many of us and it is becoming worse. We have to

are privately supported by corporations and philanthropic

do something to regulate our population globally, as otherwise

individuals. He continues: “If we enter a dialogue and

we are doomed. This is not an opinion, it is a fact. Our inability to

processes with these people then we have the ability to

address the problem is dangerous and embarrassing.”

communicate the urgency and the need for action. We need

As an interviewee, Packham gives the impression he has

to be in the same room with them but not in bed with them,

no time for sentimentality, nimbyism and people who like

and it is critical that this is not the case. You never want to

to put the animal kingdom into boxes. He does not care for

watch your words.”

people who hold subjective opinions about what is a good or bad animal. He is scornful of the cute factor and its opposite

Seeing the effects of global warming first hand is quite a sobering and frightening experience. Packham has seen

- labelling the outsiders of the natural world as ‘pests.’ This is

many examples of how the natural world is buckling under the

simply not in his vocabulary. He does not see animals as pests

warming of the planet. He presented a highly acclaimed series,

but considers them successful at our expense. “We need to understand that in order for ecosystems

BBC Operation Iceberg as part of a team on an expedition to the Arctic. It investigated the unknown world of icebergs,

to remain sustainable and stable, we need the greatest

exploring the creation, life and death of these frozen behemoths

complement of species to live there and this includes the so-

for the first time. Being part of Operation Iceberg was an

called pests. Cockroaches, pigeons, wasps and rats all play

incredible experience for Packham. “When we watched those

a role. If we decide that we do not like them and want to take

giant glaciers disintegrate and compared data from previous

them out of the equation that is a very dangerous precedent.

years which showed that just a short while ago there was a

They have evolved to do a specific job,” he adds. “And typically one thing that we struggle to live with, in

much more extensive body of ice you can see the speed of the retreat yourself. The retreat is happening in our lifetime and

many if not all parts of the world, are large predators. We

it is very profound. Yes, it was a very poignant moment and I

want to take them out of the equation too, because they

thought to myself that I had been reading about this since my O

conflict with our interests, such as by eating our farm stock. I

levels and here it is actually happening before my very eyes. It

believe what we need to do is generate a greater tolerance of

was very beautiful and extremely terrifying at the same time.”

all these animals because whether we like them physically or fear them is immaterial - we need them.”

But does it make Packham angry that some people still deny the planet is warming? “I have side-lined climate change

Packham seems the type to always rage against the machine

deniers, to be quite honest with you.” He adds: “Initially, we

and we need more people like him. Music, like nature, has

were the mavericks going back for years now, saying that the

inspired him to want a better world. “One particular track which

climate is warming. There has been a complete polarisation

I have always liked is by a band called Penetration and the track

here. I think those people who deny the planet is warming

is called, ‘Shout Above The Noise.’ The mantra of the piece is

and deny that we are to blame or play a role in it are now the

that if you want to make a difference you’ve got to get up and

mavericks. I think the vast majority of the population and

do it yourself. I have listened to that track for the past 35 years of

certainly the thinking population, understand that to deny it is

my life. Every time I hear it, I say yes, that is what it is all about.

happening is nonsense. They no longer get to me.

It is about not being intimidated and refusing to take a no for an

“They are a diminishing number of people who have

answer. It is about finding the energy to make that difference.” Read more about the ‘Three Trees’ Promise at www.velvetttissue.com

Series to watch out for: The Burrowers, BBC2 Summer 2013 Inside the Animal Mind, BBC2 Spring 2014

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ED DAVEY MP

The government has a duty to help keep bills down and help people to manage the cost of living – and that’s what we are relentlessly focused on doing. There’s a lot of help available to the most vulnerable, such as the Green Deal and the Energy Company Obligation, and the Warm Home Discount. The biggest single factor driving bills

and help households save money on

by demand in growing economies like

their bills. It’s a scheme that will be

China. And, they’re likely to keep rising.

in place for the long-term, but figures

55% of people’s gas bills and 37%

are showing a very encouraging

of their electricity bills are made up of

start. Already, more than 18,000

wholesale energy costs alone.

people have had assessments carried out on their homes. Under the Warm Home Discount, two million households were helped this winter and more than one million

The government can’t control the global market and drive down these international wholesale prices. What we can do is take steps to put a cushion between these global

low income pensioners received £130

prices and the bills we all pay at

off their bills.

home – insulating our economy as

But my Department has been concentrating on keeping bills as low

well as our homes and businesses. Through investment in domestic

as possible over the long-term - and

sources of low carbon energy like

for everyone. Already our policies are

nuclear, wind and wave power, and

keeping bills lower than if government

other renewables, we are looking to

did nothing – by an average of £65.

diversify supply and help cushion

Some people think climate change policies to support things like wind

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higher is global oil and gas prices. They have been rising remorselessly, fuelled

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improve the energy efficiency

of the nation’s housing stock

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he Green Deal is designed to

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consumers from volatile fossil fuel prices in the future.

farms are what are behind high bills. But they couldn’t be more wrong.

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orth ttlew Shu t r obe e: R ag m I

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“Some people think climate change policies to support things like wind farms are what are behind high bills. But they couldn’t be more wrong.”

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“The biggest single factor driving bills higher is global oil and gas prices. They have been rising remorselessly, fuelled by demand in growing economies like China. And, they’re likely to keep rising.”

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The reforms we are making to the

biomass boilers, £1,300 for air source

electricity market through the Energy

heat pumps and £600 for solar

Bill will help incentivise £110 billion

thermal systems.

investment from the private sector, with a focus on home-grown clean energy infrastructure. The policies we have in place are not just about building new power

do not rise radically, in which case savings would be even larger.

energy efficiency of our housing stock Through the Green Deal we are encouraging people to improve their

to global price shocks and left future generations to deal with the threat of

bills. The Energy Company Obligation

climate change.

from energy efficiency improvements. Smart metering will help households manage their energy usage, and provide more accurate billing. We’re also helping those who

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aspire to generate their own electricity

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they will be £166 lower than if we sat on our hands, left ourselves exposed

homes, make them warmer and save

properties that need it the most benefit

This government is proving that helping to tackle climate change, and diversify energy supply, doesn’t have to cost the earth. In fact it creates green growth and green jobs. These are benefits that will stretch across the country, as low carbon supply chains spring up

through the feed-in tariff, under which

and make some of our once-thriving

solar panels still represent a fantastic

industrial heartlands prosper again.

long-term investment. And while support for renewable

The move to a clean energy sector will place the UK at the

heat is not funded through consumer

leading edge of a new global green

bills, over 10,000 householders have

energy market worth around £3.3

already taken advantage of money

trillion. This is a revolution the UK

off renewable heating kit through the

cannot afford to pass up.

Renewable Heat Premium Payment. We recently announced an increase

So, our policies are not only about tackling climate change, diversifying

to voucher levels under the scheme.

supply and creating jobs, but also

Money off vouchers available have

about saving money on bills too, with

been increased to £2,300 for ground

the interests of the consumer front

source heat pumps, £2,000 for

and centre.

BY EDWARD DAVEY MP, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

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Let’s be clear - bills will still likely be higher than they are today. But

money on their heating and electricity will ensure that the households and

P G THE

would be if we were doing nothing. And that assumes fossil fuel prices

stations; they are about improving the and our businesses.

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In 2020, bills will on average be around 11 per cent lower, than they

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MATTER IN QUESTION

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“This distant, all or nothing solution appears detached from the current reality, fails to offer a staged approach in failing to recognise the continuing role of non-electric sources of supply, and takes no account of the forces which drive human behaviour.” WWW.CENTRALHEATING.CO.UK

Matter in Question.indd 13

Heat is the single biggest reason we use energy in our society. According to the government’s 2012 report: The Future of Heating – A Strategic framework for low carbon heat in the UK, we use more energy for heating than for transport or the generation of electricity. We in the UK will spend around £33 billion on heat across our economy.

BY ROGER WEBB, HHIC DIRECTOR

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MATTER IN QUESTION

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Professor David Mackay, chief

in failing to recognise the continuing

scientific advisor to the Department of

role of non-electric sources of supply,

Energy and Climate Change (DECC)

and takes no account of the forces

devised a model for 2050. It presents

which drive human behaviour.

a zero carbon electric pathway to a that within 40 years transport, heating

So what is the problem?

and industry need to be electrified,

Well let’s start with putting you in

electricity supply may need to double,

the picture clearly and simply.

low carbon future. Mackay believes

and the grid must be decarbonised

By 2027 the government’s target

and able to cope with intermittent

for domestic heating is 50.2 million

renewable generation.

tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

This distant, all or nothing solution appears detached from the current reality, fails to offer a staged approach

We are currently on 80 million tonnes of CO2. One of the problems is that the UK has one of the oldest stocks of residential buildings in Europe. These homes are not energy efficient and all

“The industry requires consistent and clear policy making rather than the mixed signals, delays and confusion of recent years. We would like to work in partnership with DECC to develop a framework to deliver this.”

add to higher carbon emissions that are detrimental to the planet. With these differing property types a one size fits all approach will not work when it comes to installing suitable technologies. Today, 1.5 million boilers are sold every year. To meet the government’s 2027 target, only 500,000 boilers should be sold, with a mix of other technologies. This is a huge change. Part of this adjustment will require consumers to come on board and play their part. But human behaviour is hard to influence and it may mean that to create the right kind of demand the carrot of incentives needs to be backed up with the stick of regulation.

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MATTER IN QUESTION

Our scenario

Our research pathway shows the government how the industry can

will be in place before they invest

own scenario on behalf of the

help them meet the figure of lower

heavily in product development

industry to take the UK towards

carbon emissions through product

and innovation. If this does not

a decarbonised society. We

development. The government must

happen then under business as

commissioned research and

be serious about meeting these

usual, the market will continue

analysis for Pathways for Domestic

targets as to deliver our scenario

to demand condensing boilers

Heating from Delta Energy and

will require huge investment from

with less numbers of renewable

Environment. This research

industry to develop new and

and low carbon products. Electric

supports our view that we need to

innovative products. But the pace

heating and heat networks have a

keep a number of options open for

that the government is prescribing

strong role to play but so do low

as long as possible.

means that industry also has to do

carbon gas appliances. Current

this much faster too.

government policy is not giving

Despite Professor Mackay’s modelling, DECC itself has released

Being part of this change will

us the confidence and we cannot

an updated view for domestic heat

also require consumers to come on

make the necessary investments

to 2050, concluding that gas will be

board and play their part. But human

because the government has not

an important part of the energy mix

behaviour is hard to influence and

yet developed a credible pathway

to 2030 and beyond. Our scenario

it may mean that to create demand

and set of policies that enabled us

includes heating products that will

once incentives have been offered,

to meet the 2030 target.

lower the carbon emissions through

regulation is the next best step.

their energy efficiency. As part of

There will be greater opportunity

What do we want?

our research, we looked at different

for consumers to choose specialist

The industry requires consistent and

property types and with the help of

technologies that will be suitable for

clear policy making rather than the

our industry came up with products

their properties.

mixed signals, delays and confusion

But we cannot kick-start any of

of recent years. We would like to

this into action if the government only

work in partnership with DECC to

energy products and we believe

present a long-term ambition without

develop a framework to deliver this.

that the government needs to

any realistic intermediate targets.

The framework can consist of a mix

acknowledge this openly. The

They need to instil confidence to our

of interventions, such as incentives,

industry could produce these

industry. For our manufacturers to

regulation, finance solutions such as

modern products by 2027 at

bring new low carbon technologies

the Green Deal, or tilting the playing

volumes which would support

to the marketplace they need to

field through taxes. A good example

progress to the 2050 target. This is

be certain that the government is

is the car industry that the European

why we have opted for a balanced

committed to its targets.

Commission has set output based

that would be suitable. It is vital that we have a mix of

mix of technologies that can be ensure that the UK is on the correct trajectory for meeting the binding

We require that it puts an

interventions from the government

2050 targets.

intermediate scenario in place,

to help create demand, then we will

a pathway to get to 2030 that

invest and innovate.

For further information on the HHIC Pathways

would provide industry with more

for Domestic Heat contact Roger Webb at roger@hhic.org.uk

security. The heating industry needs

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performance standards for vehicles.

What do we require the government to do?

taken to 2030. Timing is critical to

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assurance that government policy

HHIC has come up with its

If we are given this assurance to invest and with the right

We will play our role in offering solutions to the market.

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the s w ho s y a hw

“Our re s e ar c h p a t

Matter in Question.indd 17

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missions t h bon e r ou car g h p r od

governmen t ho w

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lp them meet t e h he an c fig y r ur t s e u d o n

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17 13/6/13 17:12:40


PROFESSOR MIKE BRADSHAW

or gas as

BY PROFESSOR MIKE BRADSHAW

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In recent months there has been a good deal of discussion about the future role of gas in the UK’s energy system. The debate has been prompted by numerous government policy statements and reports, worries about the imminent closure of coal-fired power stations and the need to import expensive liquefied natural gas (LNG), and by the growing controversy surrounding the prospect of domestic shale gas. Has all of this activity created any greater certainty about the future role of gas in the UK? To address this question it is necessary to adopt a ‘whole systems approach.’ This is because future demand for gas—and the need to invest in its associated infrastructure—will largely be determined by the success or failure of the government’s wider energy strategy. This has at least five key elements: energy efficiency and demand reduction, the development of renewable energy, the electrification of the economy, the construction of a fleet of new nuclear power stations, and the deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS). The problem is that, while we have numerous strategies, plans and road maps that will deliver an 80 per cent reduction in emissions by 2050, we are already behind where we need to be on just about every element. For example, there is currently no private sector commitment to build the next generation of nuclear power stations. Equally, progress on CCS is delayed. There is also considerable distance yet to travel if the UK is to meet its 2020 target of 15 per cent of energy production from renewable sources. Finally, although demand reduction and

“There is also considerable distance yet to travel if the UK is to meet its 2020 target of 15 per cent of energy production from renewable sources.”

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PROFESSOR MIKE BRADSHAW

energy efficiency programmes are the

on key elements of the strategy)—is

logical things to do, history suggests

25.1 bcms. That is, between just

of the equation, the government’s

that they seldom realise anything like

under 73.8 bcm and 98.9 bcm of

response is the Gas Generation

their full potential.

gas supply. By 2030 the difference

Strategy and the creation of a

is even more significant: 56.8 bcm in

Capacity Market. The recently

the various elements of the strategy

Gone Green and 88.5 bcm in Slow

appointed Minister for Energy,

will mean more gas in the UK’s

Progression. This uncertainty about

Michael Fallon, has described the

energy mix for longer than expected.

future demand presents a major

Capacity Market as an ‘insurance

The high level of uncertainty is

challenge for those seeking to source

policy’ to ensure continued security

abundantly clear in National Gird’s

gas for the UK market, for those who

of electricity supply. The aim is

projection for future gas requirements.

need to invest in future gas-fired

to pay generators to ensure that

The difference in required gas

power generation capacity, and for

there is sufficient future generating

supplies in 2019-20 between their

those who need to invest in new

capacity to meet all eventualities.

‘Gone Green’ projection—(realisation

pipelines and processing and storage

The idea is that new gas power

of the government’s energy strategy)

facilities. All of these are in the private

generation capacity will be needed,

and their ‘Slow Progression’

sector and need a sound business

but that the load on that capacity

strategy—(more limited progress

case on which to base their decisions.

will be significantly lower than today

Any delay in the implementation of

On the power generation side

Fracking - Roan Plateau near Rifle, Colorado

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“The physical availability of gas will probably not be the issue, the price that consumers have to secure that gas may well be.” Gas plant in Norway

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PROFESSOR MIKE BRADSHAW

because gas will primarily be acting

Gas in the desert – Quatar

as back up to intermittent wind energy. In effect the CCGT operators will be paid to install capacity, and then generate at much lower loads than is currently economical. Unfortunately, the industry’s response has been to postpone decisions on future investment in gas power. However, the insurance policy is just as likely to be needed to compensate for the non-replacement of nuclear base load in a timely fashion and/or the failure of renewable energy sources to expand as quickly as anticipated. In other words, it is an insurance against policy failure, but even more worryingly for some, it also creates the possibility of a change in direction. In such a scenario, in the absence of CCS, high levels of unabated gas fired generation beyond the mid2020s will certainly compromise the government’s emission reduction targets. There are those, such as the Committee on Climate Change, who advocate that the government should hold its nerve and press ahead with the rapid development of low carbon energy. Others, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer it would seem, advocate further development of gas power generation as a more cost effective means of reducing emissions. The two camps are probably arguing at cross purposes, short-term gas can contribute to decarbonisation if it replaces coal, longer-term gas as fossil fuel can only really remain in the mix with CCS if emission targets are to be met. However, if CCS is available then gas will have to compete against coal and much will depend on the relative cost of the

or gas as

22

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13/6/13 17:39:53


two fuels, the cost of carbon and the

difference is the physical volume of

market. In 2012 only 27 per cent of

gas development is itself far from

cost-efficiency of CCS when applied

gas demand and thus the absolute

UK gas imports were in the form of

certain and it would be imprudent to

to the power generation plant.

amount of gas that will need to be

LNG. However, the year before, the

assume that it will compensate for

sourced from external suppliers.

share was 46 per cent and 80 per

declining conventional domestic gas

The rapid growth in UK gas

cent of those imports came from

production. Equally, domestic biogas

The argument that I have made thus far is that there is significant uncertainty about future gas demand

exports has been enabled by

Qatar. In fact, in 2011 two countries,

can help to sustain indigenous

and that this is a source of insecurity,

a reorientation in the national

Norway and Qatar, accounted for

production, but the reality is that

as it makes future investment difficult

transmissions system, the

80 per cent of the UK’s gas imports.

the UK’s gas import dependence

to commit to. The government hopes

construction of new pipelines from

Thus, while the UK has the capacity

will continue to increase through

that its capacity market will address

Norway and interconnectors to

to source gas imports from multiple

the remainder of this decade and

this situation. However, there are

Europe and the development of three

sources, these imports are currently

will remain high thereafter. The key

also legitimate concerns about the

LNG terminals. Therefore, the UK

highly concentrated geographically.

uncertainty is the level of future

cost of future gas security of supply.

now has the necessary infrastructure

Moving forward, there are concerns

gas demand and thus the absolute

Natural gas production in the UK

in place to deliver substantial

that as LNG imports increase, as

amount of gas the UK industry

peaked in 2000 and the UK became

amounts of imported gas to market.

they are likely to do as coal is forced

will need to source from external

a net natural gas importer in 2004.

The one issue that remains is

out of the mix, UK consumers will

markets. Whatever the volumes,

In a very short period of time the UK

storage. It is generally accepted

have to pay higher prices to attract

UK policy makers and the suppliers

has become a substantial importer

that as the UK can no longer surge

LNG cargoes. It is noteworthy that

and consumers of natural gas now

of natural gas, though the situation

production from the North Sea in

Centrica recently signed a deal with

need to pay far more attention to

at present is complicated by the

times of high demand, so additional

Cherniere Energy to deliver LNG

developments in the European gas

impact of economic recession and

storage capacity should be built.

from the US for 20 years starting in

market and the global LNG market

resurgence of coal. Nonetheless,

Who should pay for it remains an

2018. This came after Centrica failed

than they have in the past.

provisional figures from DECC

unresolved issue.

to reach a long-term agreement

for 2012 show that indigenous

The UK gets its gas from four

The reality is that certainty about

with Qatar, which has increased

future gas demand in the UK will

production covered about 53 per

sources: by pipeline from the

its exports to Japan in the wake of

remain elusive. This is because it

cent of domestic demand, down

UK continental shelf, by pipeline

the Fukushima disaster. For the

is dependent on the wider success

from 58 per cent the previous

from Norway, by pipeline from

moment supplies from Norway

or failure of the government’s

year. This is because although

continental Europe (identified in the

are seen as secure and could

energy strategy. All of the current

domestic gas demand fell by 5.6

statistics as from Belgium or the

even increase in the near future to

indications are that key elements

per cent during 2012, domestic

Netherlands) and as LNG. Each

maximise the infrastructure that

of that strategy will be delivered

production fell by 14.1 per cent.

of these supply vectors exposes

has been put in place, however,

late and some possibly not at all.

All of the projections suggest that

the UK to a rather different set of

there is uncertainty into the 2020s

Thus, we will have need of more gas

domestic conventional production

risks. To simplify the situation we

as the fields supplying the UK

for longer and we should now be

will continue to fall, so the level

can say that, one the one hand, the

pipelines decline, production

planning for that eventuality, rather

of imports will be determined by

UK is now increasingly exposed to

moves further north and Norway

than assuming that it will always

what happens to demand. Both the

developments in EU gas markets

prioritises Continental European

be available as the default position.

Gone Green and Slow Progression

through imports and exports via the

markets. Of course, the hope is that

The physical availability of gas will

scenarios discussed earlier show

two interconnectors; on the other

by then the UK will have access to

probably not be the issue, the price

gas import dependency reaching

hand the UK is increasingly exposed

indigenous shale gas production.

that consumers have to secure that

80 per cent by 2030; the key

to developments in the global LNG

But the scale and pace of UK shale

gas may well be.

“There are those, such as the Committee on Climate Change, who advocate that the government should hold its nerve and press ahead with the rapid development of low carbon energy.”

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THE NATURE OF BUSINESS

The of Business 24 Book Review.indd 24

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13/6/13 16:55:09


Redesigning for resilience We need real change in our world and this is why Hutchins’s book sets out a new business paradigm. It is not written in meaningless business jargon as the structure takes the form of nine easy-to-read modules and you can just dip leisurely in and out. Author, Giles Hutchins presents the challenge to the prevailing ‘business as usual’ model, explains the pressing need for transformational change, and reveals the concepts and mindsets necessary to inspire the businesses of tomorrow.

“If we do not conduct our business within the constraints of the system, we will inevitably go out of business.”

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THE NATURE OF BUSINESS

26 Book Review.indd 26

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Going beyond current approaches

for this is not only for profit but

to responsible and green business,

to create better partnership roles

Hutchins focuses on the emergence

with charities that could benefit

of new ways of operating and

communities in other parts of the

creating value in an increasingly

world. M&S has joined forces with

volatile and interconnected world.

Oxfam, Kenco with the Rainforest

He makes the compelling case that

Alliance and Unilever with the

businesses should seek to mimic

National Childbirth Trust.

behaviours and organisations found

The idea of the ‘aware’ company is

in nature, which offer fitting models

explained. The more thoughtful values

for businesses capable of flourishing

and behaviour of employees who

in chaotic and uncertain times.

connect with those of the business,

It is teeming with case stories

the more conscious that business will

from UK-based giants such as

become. This is more powerful than

Apple, Coca Cola, Nike, Toyota,

any business goals or targets.

Unilever, Nokia and Virgin. These

The firm of the future, he argues,

examples illustrate practically

will build resilience, optimise, adapt,

how companies are integrating

integrate systems, navigate by

sustainability as part of their

values and support life-building

business plan. They are all hugely

activities. It will be a business

successful, household names that

inspired by nature for the greater

realise it is important to replenish

good and ultimately the well-being of

what is taken out. The reason

our planet.

The Author: Giles Hutchins is a management consultant with over 15 years of business and IT transformation experience, formerly with KPMG and Atos International. His passion is exploring ways of applying nature’s inspiration to sustainable business transformation. Drawing on a range of theories and practices (such as biomimicry, cradle-to-cradle and industrial ecology), he applies them to the challenges businesses face today, providing practical insight and guidance to help organisations redesign for resilience in these volatile times. Giles blogs at http://thenatureofbusiness.org Join in the online discussion at www.businessinspiredbynature.com/natureofbusiness

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27 13/6/13 17:47:58


THE CARBON TRUST

Use your detective skills to investigate worrying areas

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“Public trust in all sorts of institutions, including business, as well as politics and the media, has been at an all-time low for a few years, having been eroded by various scandals.”

BY JAMES PERSAD

A small but critical role of a Head of Brand has forever been to ensure that their business and its associated partners are adhering to correct, consistent and proper use of the brand assets available to them. If necessary we or one of our team are required to intervene in order to make sure something heinous looking or sounding doesn’t make it out of the door into the public domain.

B

have been making and selling, their

erosion of a reputation that you have

brand asset of all, the actual

very products and services, and

nurtured over the months and years.

product or service being

shuddered at the thought of a major

From what specific ingredients go

sold? As the horsemeat scandal

environmental, health or safety related

into your products if you’re a food

developed into a full blown supply

breach of trust with your customers;

and drink brand, to your damage to

chain crisis, you may have read

the impact this has on your

the environment if you’re a petro-

the recent headlines about the

favourability scores, the damage to

chemical brand, the impacts of an

contents of what certain brands

your businesses share price and the

environmental, health or safety related

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ut what about the biggest

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THE CARBON TRUST

breach of trust can be far reaching.

brand damage is done. Trust in a

Indeed a major crisis of trust can

brand takes an age to develop and

sometimes spell the end of the line

moment to destroy. It is the brand

for individual employees, for business

team’s responsibility to poke their

areas and occasionally for entire

noses in, often where they are not

brands themselves, as you know.

necessarily wanted, to ensure that

In a world where even relatively

the organisation is staying honest

minor misdemeanours are shared

to its customers and stakeholders,

with unforgiving speed around the

and behaving in a way that is

globe, no brand is safe.

sustainable. Taking responsibility for

Public trust in all sorts of

breaches of trust applies to CEOs

institutions, including business, as

as we have seen in the banking and

well as politics and the media, has

petro-chemical world. This should

been at an all-time low for a few

also apply to Heads of Marketing

years, having been eroded by various

and Brand, who are uniquely

scandals. The signs are that this trust

positioned with the media budgets

is stabilising, however, and brand

at their command to ensure that

guardians need to do much more to

good governance practices and

make sure that this trust is respected,

suitable corporate behaviour is

fed and watered to ensure it blooms.

taking place across their organisation

Edelman, a corporate affairs

and deep into their supply chains.

agency, has just published its global

It is made easier with the tools and

trust barometer. “...the number one

expertise available to help guide

reason reported for trusting business

these interrogations and make them

less over the last year was wrong

relatively simple to conduct - even

incentives driving business decisions

across a large organisation, its

(28%)”(Source: Edelman Trust

seemingly complex supply chain and

barometer 2013).

into its customers use and disposal

It is no longer good enough from a governance point of view for brand

“It is all very well having a crisis management plan in place but by that time it is often too late and the brand damage is done. Trust in a brand takes an age to develop and moment to destroy.”

of the products or services they buy from you.

guardians to claim ignorance of what is going on in their wider business from a reputational and environmental risk perspective. The technology and retail brands employing workers overseas in far eastern supply chains have suffered knocks to their reputations over the welfare of these employees, as have those car brands that end up having to recall a model because of the corporate drive to put out new cars without the nuts and bolts being properly road tested. It is all very well having a crisis management plan in place but by that time it is often too late and the

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27/06/2013 10:38


Brand police – make sure your brand is in order

Use your detective skills to investigate worrying areas

describe the brand value at risk

Environmental, Health & Safety

go and communicate this description

risks are top of many corporate

in writing and verbally to the

risk registers. These are a classic

appropriate colleagues so that they

method of monitoring a variety of

are left in no doubt about the potential

risk likelihoods and impact levels

consequences if the risk materialises.

within an organisation. Ownership

At this point they need to clearly resulting from the risk identified, and

In this way wider team members

of these registers is often only

will understand more about the

confined to compliance or company

brand risks associated with their

secretariat roles though, which

activities, the impacts that these can

do not traditionally contain the

have on their roles, their business

deeper understanding of the brand

areas and the company itself should

required to appropriately appraise

those risks materialise, and take the

or score certain risks from a brand

appropriate steps to mitigate against

damage perspective.

them before they happen.

James joined the Carbon Trust in 2009 as a Marketing Manager to provide expertise on data driven marketing campaigns. Since then he has expanded his marketing role across other areas of the organisation and into brand awareness activity alongside data driven comms. Prior to joining the Carbon Trust, James was a Director at a Digital and Direct marketing agency in Covent Garden. He delivered award winning campaigns in global and London based agencies for 11 years, across many sectors (FS, auto, travel, retail, FMCG, B2B, tech, charity) and disciplines including Advertising, DM, Digital and Sales Promotion. James has a BSc in Management Sciences from the LSE.

It would be wise for heads of brands to ensure they are involved in the development of the EH&S risks being measured and reviewed and also in the monitoring and scoring process, as they may well be able to spot an impending brand risk sooner than other members of the team.

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“It is no longer good enough from a governance point of view for brand guardians to claim ignorance of what is going on in their wider business from a reputational and environmental risk perspective.�

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DR TONY WATERSTON

AND H

NOT ALL B

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D HEALTH

LL BAD NEWS

“Air pollution is already a major menace in large cities and is the result primarily of the burning of oil, coal and gas. Increased motor traffic and particularly diesel fumes are high in particulates and very polluting.”

BY DR TONY WATERSTON

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If you were to ask the average member of the British public about how he or she will be affected by the excessive use of fossil fuels, I suspect their health would be low on the list of answers. I would surmise that their responses from the more aware would include global warming, melting icebergs, sea level rise, reduction in car use, species extinction. Others might say, it’s not my problem, or that oil will last a long time yet. In fact health will be hugely affected, and for the better, if we can reduce our fossil fuel dependence. Health will be incrementally worse if we carry on as we are.

AND HEALTH

DR TONY WATERSTON

As a paediatrician interested in public health, I am a member of the Climate and Health Council, the UK’s leading independent organisation of health professionals campaigning on climate change. See the website at: www.climateandhealth.org On the website you can find many articles and illustrations about the health effects of climate change. http://www.climateandhealth.org/health_impacts.html

Let me set out what these impacts are likely to be, and how we could improve our health and wellbeing through a carbon reduction programme.

What are the results of excessive use of fossil fuels?

of respiratory infections and asthma

This may seem an obvious question but the effects of their excessive use of

and is a likely cause of the recent

fossil fuels are multiple:

increase in asthma in children living in urban environments. The production of non-degradable

• Depletion of oil, coal, gas

waste such as plastics is also

• CO2 rise with consequent

damaging to health, particularly

climate change • Pollution of the atmosphere in cities

plastic bags whose use is increasing

• Production of waste which does not degrade

exponentially in countries which do

• Obesity owing to heavy use of motor vehicles

not regulate their use. Obesity as a result of less active

The top two effects are firstly

since a higher proportion of their

travel is covered below.

so-called ‘peak oil’, which means

income is spent on food and they are

that we have reached the maximum

less able to absorb price increases.

rate of extraction and reserves are

Hence, there will be increasing

diminishing. Secondly, climate change

malnutrition unless renewables

How will health be affected in low income countries?

owing to the greenhouse effect.

quickly take over from oil as an

Already the impact of climate

energy supply. For transport this

change in Asia and Africa

accompanied by pressure on

means greatly increased investment

is considerable though little

reserves of all non-renewable

in electric cars, buses and trains.

publicised. The seminal Lancet

Air pollution is already a major

paper of 2009 which headlined

water will lead to energy price rises

menace in large cities and is the

climate change as the greatest

which will affect fuel and transport

result primarily of the burning of oil,

global threat to health of the 21st

costs. This will have a knock-on

coal and gas. Increased motor traffic

century is a major source of data:

effect in increasing prices of most

and particularly diesel fumes are high

http://issuu.com/climateandhealth/

other services including food.

in particulates and very polluting.

docs/ucl-lancet_-_managing_the_

This pollution increases the burden

health_ef/1

Peak oil which will be

products including minerals and

The poorest will be most affected

34 32 Dr T.indd 34

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“Glacier melting in the Himalayas is projected to increase flooding and will affect water resources within the next two to three decades.”

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DR TONY WATERSTON

The health effects of climate change in low income are? • Increasing malnutrition owing to drought and increasing costs of fertiliser and imported food • Increasing vector borne disease (eg malaria, trypanosomiasis) as higher temperatures will favour insect spread • Increased water borne diseases • Direct impact on health of increased temperatures • Higher ozone levels leading to respiratory involvement • Sea level rises leading to flooding of low lying states • Weather extremes affect crop growth and yield.

“The impact of changing weather on agriculture and food growth leads to higher food prices and malnutrition.”

There will be a differentially greater impact on the most vulnerable in the community, namely children, mothers and the elderly. Also the poorest will suffer most and hence there will be a widening of health inequalities. A useful reference on climate change in Africa is: http://know. climateofconcern.org/index. php?option=com_content&task=a rticle&id=105 In Asia too, we see marked changes and the World Bank has stated that ‘Climate change is no longer an issue for the distant future. Climate change is already taking place, and the South Asian countries, particularly the poorest people, are most at risk.’ For example, glacier melting in the Himalayas is projected to increase flooding and will affect water resources within the next two to three decades; crop yields could decrease up to 30% in South Asia by the mid-21st century; mortality due to diarrhoea primarily associated with floods and droughts, will rise in South Asia. See: http://go.worldbank. org/0XAV4BYO60

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How will health be affected in the UK and Europe?

AND HEALTH

Faculty of Public Health in its

and less easy to directly ascribe to the origin and development of humans

report called: ‘Sustaining a Healthy

(anthropogenesis). A World Health Organisation report in 2008 set out the likely

Future’, that there is a close

effects and the need to introduce urgent protection measures. See:

connection between fossil fuels,

http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/74401/E91865.pdf

climate change and obesity in

So in low income countries, climate change will massively affect

It has been suggested by the

The health effects of climate change in high income countries are more subtle

that as we drive and fly more, we The health effects of climate change in Europe:

health. The impact is already being

walk and cycle less. The sedentary behaviour we see now in the rich

felt and is being described by major

• Extreme weather events such as heat waves, hurricanes and flooding

North and which the well off in the

organisations such as the World

• High temperatures leading to direct heat events

South are now mimicking is one of

Bank yet the rest of the world seems

• Increased infectious disease vectors

the main determinants of obesity,

to be ignoring it.

• Impact of changing weather on agriculture and food growth leading to

which has now reached epidemic

higher food prices and malnutrition

status. Active travel on foot or by

• Increase in the frequency of respiratory diseases due to higher ground-

bike (the ultimate green machine with a zero carbon footprint) is likely

level ozone concentrations in urban areas. • Changes in pollen distribution related to climate change.

to lead to much lower obesity rates which were of course, the norm in

These changes are more gradual

the past. They are also beneficial

to ascribe to a single cause. For

What would be the health impact of such action?

example, in Newcastle last year we

The Climate and Health Council

between people which generates

had three episodes of severe flooding

has clearly spelled out that

a greater sense of community spirit).

an exceptional occurrence. However,

measures to promote low carbon

people complained it has not kick-

living will be hugely beneficial to

present profligate overuse of

started any behavioural changes in

health. The health benefits of low

carbon is already great and will

relation to carbon conservation, nor

carbon living are:

become ever more obvious in both

and insidious, and hence less easy

social capital (the interaction

So, the health impact of the

rich and poor countries, affecting

to calls for action on climate change.

How can we reduce the excessive use of fossil fuels?

to mental health and to community

• Reduction of air pollution

the most vulnerable first. On the

leads to less respiratory

other hand, the health benefits of

infections and asthma

carbon reduction are huge. If we

• Reduction in motorised

can bring this case to the decision

Friends of the Earth covered some of the

traffic leads to less vehicle

makers, as well as to the general

issues in relation to energy companies in

accidents and less pollution

public, the course for the future

the article in HHIC in 2011. The answers

• More active travel leads to

are clear and the policies available and

less cardiovascular disease,

include investment in renewable energy

less obesity and better

and conservation measures, domestic

mental health

carbon trading, pollution charging,

• Reduction in meat intake

promotion of sustainable transport

will lead to lower carbon

and measures to reduce motor traffic.

emissions, less cardiovascular

The continued search for economic

disease and stroke, and less

growth rather than sustainability has

bowel cancer.

becomes very clear.

to be challenged. All that is required is the political will and this is singularly lacking in the present government.

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Dr T.indd 37

See also http://www.bmj.com/ content/344/bmj.e1018

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2OC

It started as a chat between three friends who wondered if it would be possible to build a profitable business and to help tackle climate change. That was nearly seven years ago, but in May 2013 work finally began on 2OC’s Combined Heat and intelligent Power plant (CHiP) at Beckton in East London. Intelligent, because it makes use of heat in the adjacent gas Pressure Reduction Station (PRS) run by National Grid.

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By Andrew Mercer

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2OC

Image courtesy of Thames Water

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O

ur renewable power and

desalination plant. Our CHiP plant,

owns the IP on this application, which

heat will be fuelled by

using a 2-stroke marine diesel engine

gives the plant world beating overall

fats/oils and greases

will generate 135GWh of renewable

efficiency in the high 90s per cent. So, how did such a smart idea,

(FOGs) derived from restaurant

electricity. Only a 2-stroke has the

chains and food manufacturers and

tolerances required to burn the FOGs

scraped from the walls of London’s

derived fuel. Thames will take just

venture with National Grid to roll

109,000km of sewers. FOGs coat

over half of that power, the rest being

out 8 CHiP plants came to grief in

take so long? An initial £400m joint

sewage tunnels like cholesterol

sold into the National Grid. Waste

2010 when the looming Renewable

in a blood vessel and every year

heat from the engine will be used in

Energy Directive prevented energy

are responsible for around half

the sewage works, and there should

distributors from owning generation

the 80,000 blockages which cost

be a surplus for any local housing

assets. 2OC acquired the old joint

Thames Water £1m per month to

scheme nearby.

venture for £1, halved its workforce

clear. A dedicated team of ‘flushers’

What makes the 2OC platform

and set about the task of refinancing.

hack and chip the hardened fats from

unique is the use of heat in the PRS.

With the financial crisis into its third

the walls, which then float as so-

The huge drop in pressure at the

year and biting ever deeper and

called ‘fatbergs’ down to traps and

Beckton plant requires the gas to be

seemingly endless tinkering with

filters where they can be recovered.

pre-heated. This is currently done

the Renewables Obligation, this

But where there’s muck, there’s

by two colossal gas boilers. When

was not the ideal time to be seeking

power and heat, - lots of it.

the CHiP plant becomes operational

investment into a new project.

Thames Water has signed a

in the first quarter of 2015, waste

Thankfully, Deutsche Bank and

£200m Power Purchase Agreement

heat from the engine will provide the

iCON infrastructure were both

with 2OC to provide renewable

pre-heating and a turbo-expander will

impressed with the technology and

power and heat for the country’s

recover that renewable thermal energy

the team that was putting it together

biggest sewage works and its only

to generate even more power. 2OC

and provided the debt and equity

“Thames Water has signed a £200m Power Purchase Agreement with 2OC to provide renewable power and heat for the country’s biggest sewage works and its only desalination plant.”

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2OC

needed to get the ďŹ rst project away.

on another seven PRSs. The team is

With a blue chip customer like

currently focused on getting Beckton

Thames Water and 2OC’s inclusion

built and operational by the end of

within the Renewables Obligation,

March 2015.

the deal that was put together in

Will we stay in renewables, or should

of investment news in a sector where

we concentrate on gas? How about

doubt and uncertainty over the

fuel cells? Could we do something

Electricity Market Reform (EMR) has

in partnership with wind and help its

left many projects in limbo.

problems with intermittency? One

2OC still has licenced consent from Ofgem to roll out its technology

42 38 Fatbergs.indd 42

But we are also looking to the future.

March 2013 was the one positive bit

JULY 2013

thing is for certain - future projects will not take quite so long.

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The author: Andrew Mercer is CEO of 2OC Ltd, the renewable energy company he helped to found. An accountant by profession and entrepreneur by instinct, he sold his software company One Meaning to Oracle in the 90’s dotcom boom. He is also the founding Chairman of Footdown, a business leadership and mentoring company. Here he describes how a conversation at a Footdown meeting led to a multi-million pound deal involving a really smart use of waste heat. www.2oc.com

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