Do we all agree that climate change is a real issue? A recent poll commissioned by ClientEarth identified that in the upcoming UK election 54% of respondents stated climate change would affect how they would vote. A poll carried out by YouGov identified that 27% of voters cited the environment as not just a factor that could influence their vote but considered it as one of the top three issues – behind Brexit and health.
This is all very positive and suggests that perception is heading in the right direction, however we must all act in response to what we now know. Global warming is expected to be the greatest cause of species extinctions this century and will likely bring disastrous consequences, endangering the survival of the Earth's flora and fauna with the melting of ice mass at the poles causing severe flooding (and some small island states in parts of the world disappearing completely). It is understood that globally poor air quality is now responsible for more deaths than smoking. That all sounds like it should be worthy of more than just 27% of voters considering it as being in their top three.
There is no doubt that the protests by Extinction Rebellion and school strikes led by Greta Thunberg have been a key factor in raising the issue, but is it enough to make it stick?
Local government is leading the way, with more than half of the UK's local authorities having declared a climate emergency over the course of the year, committing to achieving net-zero carbon emissions ahead of the UK's national target of 2050. As a leading infrastructure, services and regeneration partner we have been helping councils towards these commitments through developing city-wide energy masterplans, generating renewable energy and optimising consumption of their corporate estate through centrally controlled systems.
In addition, we are supporting a number with the development of their zero-carbon strategies and action plans around five key streams; project identification, governance and stakeholder management, financing and resources, solutions and monitoring and evaluation.
It doesn't just stop there, it is also critical to ensure that behaviour changes are promoted within business and society. This type of approach will support shifts in people's behaviour and transform awareness into action. Without sustained change, there is always the risk that focus will drop until the next natural disaster or protest. For me, the message is clear, it is not just incumbent upon local government and protest groups to fight the charge on climate change, it is vitally important that business and individuals get behind it as well. Let's work together, change behaviours and save the planet.
Paul Ford is Integrated Solutions Director for ENGIE UK
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