Net Zero is not a goal, it’s a deadline

At the Recolight Net Zero Lighting Conference held on 29 April, Maria del Mar Rojas Europe Engagement Manager with The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) told delegates that net zero is not a goal, it’s a deadline.

Maria went on to explain how companies can get their targets verified by SBTi and provided details of the arrangements available for smaller businesses.

The conference also looked at forthcoming standards for achieving net zero with a presentation from Rahul Shah, Global Director, Built Environment, at BSI. Rahul gave attendees an overview of the key current and planned carbon reduction and net zero standards.  Rob Allison Director of Auditel outlined how public procurement is evolving to drive adoption of net zero requirements in different parts of the public sector.

Mike Collett of Auditel provided delegates with practical advice on developing near term carbon reduction plans, including capital projects, process and procurement changes, and behavioural changes.

Irene Mazzei, Sustainability Lead at Stoane Lighting, and John Gorse, Country Lead for Public and Government Affairs at Signify gave insightful presentations on the challenges and opportunities that B Corp and Ecovadis certification can yield.  A lively panel discussion focused on the benefits that companies obtain as they go through the process of implementing change to meet the requirements.

The day concluded with case studies from Mark Helm Quality Assurance and Lean Six Sigma Manager of Thorn Lighting, Daniel Lintell, Sustainability Manager at Triton Showers, and Andrew Mullen, Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs Specialist at Beko.  All three gave tangible real world case studies of approaches taken to reduce reducing operational carbon, and the importance of collecting actionable data.

Commenting on the event, Nigel Harvey, CEO of Recolight highlighted key conference takeaways.

“At its simplest, to reduce our carbon emissions we must be in a cycle of Measure – Target – Reduce.  We need to keep going round that cycle and then be transparent on the outcomes.

There is a real need for sharing between companies: of successes, failures and learning as we strive to decarbonise.  Fundamentally, this is not a competition in which there will be winners and losers.  Rather, it is a race where we are all on the same side.  We are collectively successful or otherwise – but working together increases the likelihood of better outcomes.

Data is key to understanding, managing and reducing carbon.  We should celebrate the “Data nerds” in our organisations who collect and process that data, which allows us to target the hotspots.”