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Sustainable schools – a lesson for us all
With £1billion for new schools and £560million for repairs, government funding has recently been announced to help rebuild the economy post-COVID. As the number of pupils grow it’s vital that the restoration happens soon. 640 new schools are needed to keep up with current rates of demand. The challenge of keeping up with demand also gives the opportunity to invest in greener, cleaner schools. With the commitment to net-zero by 2050, it’s time we made both a positive impact on education and the environment. Greener schools are a prime opportunity to explain, at a young age, the benefits of sustainability. They're also a prime opportunity for recruitment in the green construction industry. Green is good To ensure a school’s carbon footprint is reduced, there needs to be focus on heating, lighting, hot water, catering, and electricity for information and communication technology (ICT). Ways to reduce energy consumption could include: Better insulation in the building Double-glazing throughout Temperature control in each classroom LED lighting Controls over ICT equipment (e.g. switching off computers) To take this a step further, and go fully carbon neutral, schools would also need to replace gas boilers for electric heat pumps and provide on-site renewable energy sources, such as solar panels. What about the cost? Is it more expensive to build greener schools? In the US found construction costs increased by less that 2% which was easily off-set by the first year of energy savings made. Constructing zero carbon buildings is also cheaper than retrofitting conventional buildings. Equally, there are savings to made in energy performance of schools. The UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), identified 6,760 GWh of potential energy savings in schools - borne out by a recent BEIS competition involving smart meters where one school lowered their gas costs by 35%. A new way to learn With the rise in exposure for the likes of Greta Thunberg and Friday’s for Future, green schools provide an ideal opportunity to put climate change at the forefront on the curriculum. Wellbeing is also vitally important especially with the fallout of mental health issues due to the impact of COVID-19, natural light and well-designed, greener schools - ‘well buildings’ - will make a difference to both academic success and personal health. The knock-on effect of greener schools is education of the wider community where parents learn through their children and as pivotal places for the community to come together, everyone can learn about sustainability and its benefits. Time to build The educational and wellbeing benefits are clear to see so now we need to get construction moving again. Building green schools will provide a much-needed post-lockdown boost to the economy and the workforce. Whether that’s civil and structural engineers, project managers, sustainability consultants or renewable energy experts. If you’re in the construction business and have roles that you need help recruiting, then please get in touch. We’ve been working in the energy, environment, sustainability, health, safety and wellbeing recruitment since 1993 and our consultants understand the sectors and can ensure the perfect match of candidates to your roles. Call 01202 888986 or email: info@allen-york.com to discuss your requirements. Source: https://theconversation.com/uk-government-pledges-1-billion-to-rebuild-schools-heres-why-they-need-to-be-sustainable-141667
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Hiring Confidence in the Green economy
The world is changing with businesses and individuals facing enormous challenges over the coming months. Allen & York are seeking to establish a comprehensive picture of the impact of Covid-19 on future growth and hiring confidence in the green economy. As Sustainable Search & Recruitment Consultants in the sector for over 27 years, we are reaching out to our extensive network, aiming to bring together and share insights from across the business community to build a picture of the immediate period ahead. We want your views - they're important. Commentators are already speculating on the effect that Covid-19 may have in furthering the global agenda. It has highlighted social and health concerns as well as showing environmental benefit. David Shukman, BBC Science Editor, posed this question recently on the two possible directions of economic recovery: “Fossil Fuel Frenzy or Green Recovery?” We believe that there will be a determination to push even harder towards Renewable Energy capacity, Net Zero and Sustainability with an expansion of Green Jobs almost immediately and once the worst of the pandemic has passed. Here is your chance to contribute and give your views in a short, but incredibly valuable, survey. Please be part of the discussion by taking this survey. Once collated we will share the high-level data summary with you as a thank you for taking part. Take the survey here Can we help you further? We would be delighted to help in your search for the best Green talent with our partnership-led exclusive search services or to help you with your next career move. Thank you again for your contribution to this important discussion on the direction of travel for our industry, and stay safe. Mark Allen CEO & Founder of Allen & York
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Can new cities pave the way to climate neutrality?
Utilising over two-thirds of the world’s energy consumption and emitting 70% of CO21, global cities don’t really shout “climate action”. To achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, there needs to be a full-scale revamp of the way cities are designed, built and operated in the future. Harmonising alongside decarbonising Transformation is key. Decarbonising cities using digitisation will help pave the way for more modern, smart cities. If we want to be climate-neutral by 2050 then fundamental things need to change. Schneider, the electrical giant, are leading the charge and propose a three-point roadmap to put us on the right path for future developments2: Introduce ultra-efficiency to buildings - reducing the average 150kWh per year consumption rate by 66% to a far more optimal 50kWh. Remove all fossil-fuels from heating, air-conditioning, etc, essentially making all processes fully electric. Introduce integrated renewable energy sources. Using state-of-the art technology is paramount to the success of these goals, e.g. using smart panels to overcome the challenge of power outages and to provide significant data will increase overall operational efficiency. A digital revolution We know that digital solutions have changed everyday lives both in a personal and work context (think smartphones and computers), moving it forward from single use, to homes to entire cities should be right at the heart of projects. It will have a massive impact on meeting climate goals and bring with it both challenges and opportunities in terms of employment. With skills constantly being updated and roles diversifying within the industry, it’s important to recognise how the digitisation of the workforce can impact our everyday lives in a ‘greener’ way. For more information on digital roles in sustainable workplaces, get in touch by calling Guy on 01202 888986 or email: sustainability@allen-york.com Source: 1. C40.org 2. www.csomagazine.com/smart-cities/carbon-neutral-city-schneider-electrics-vision
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Plastic education
A report by Hi-cone via YouGov surveys rather worryingly states that 66% of UK adults are STILL unsure about how to recycle some types of plastic. However, the good news is that the Brits are among the keenest of recyclers. 92% of UK adults regularly recycle at home, and 63% regularly recycle in public recycling bins – with 45% recycling all their plastic waste. This compares to global averages of 75% and 69% respectively. Globally, there is still some uncertainty about what actually happens to the plastic when it’s put in the recycling bins – with a third of adults believing only 25% or less of this waste is actually recycled. Information is key 80% of adults currently not recycling their plastic waste said they would recycle more if they had more facilities and guidance. This demonstrates the need for more consumer information on how and what to recycle where – as 91% of adults believe recycling plastic is beneficial to the environment and 69% of non-recyclers believed they should be recycling more. The waste industry needs to look at how they can support a recycling culture and develop the infrastructure required in line with the climate emergency and net zero targets. Providing education for those who need it, partnering with local and national governments to improve not only recycling knowledge but the systems in place to manage it, will ensure we’re moving towards a more circular economy. Perhaps there’s an argument for more marketing roles to be created within the Waste industry to better explain and communicate the solutions available now and in the future? We think they’d clean up in the Waste industry PR stakes! To find out how we can support your Waste recruitment activity, call Ben Herbert on 01202 888986 or email: waste@allen-york.com Source: https://www.recyclingwasteworld.co.uk/news/two-thirds-of-uk-adults-unsure-how-to-recycle-plastics/224623/
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Blot on the landscape?
Whilst some complain onshore wind turbines are a blot on the landscape, there is an argument to say that we’re missing out on the cheapest form of new power in the UK… or at least we were. Whilst the government had blocked projects, denied price guarantees post-complaints from local campaigners and gave protestors a say in the planning process, they have now made a U-turn on these decisions. This is great news for the onshore wind farm developers (and solar farms too) who can now bid for price support and will assist the mission to get to net zero and could lead to cheaper electricity for consumers – win win! Plain Sailing? It won’t all be plain sailing however, as the government is still giving local people a say about where the turbines are located, possibly meaning only a few expected across England but more in Scotland to the delight of Scottish Power (who also said they would build solar, wind farms and batteries on the same sites to maximise the output and minimise the disturbance in future). The pressure group ‘Possible’ has campaigned for a resurgence of onshore wind and said: "After years of campaigning we can finally celebrate the UK's cheapest new energy source being brought in from the cold." Out of favour Conservative activists seem to be to blame for the decline in wind farms across the UK countryside. With bigger voices complaining about spoiling the view and an apparent annoying hum, they convinced the largely right-wing media that the public hated wind farms and ensured their MPs heard about it. The government's own surveys however told a different story, with overwhelming public support for onshore wind. This support had now paid dividends, with the door now open for investment and growth this should prove beneficial to the jobs market in energy and we look forward to a surge of growth. If you’re working in renewables, get in touch to find out how we can match great candidates with great roles across the UK and beyond. Call Richard Hawkesford on 01202 888986 or email: energy@allen-york.com for more details. www.allen-york.com Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-51708817
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Hydrogen – the clear alternative?
There’s much talk in the news about fossil fuels, their impact on the environment and what we need to do about it. One of the ways we’re may be able to meet net zero emissions is by looking at hydrogen as the clean alternative to those “dirtier” options we’re currently using. c£30m from UK Energy Department BEIS to fund five hydrogen projects (two of which are centred on producing green hydrogen from offshore wind) is a great start, as is the formation of a Hydrogen Taskforce. The Hydrogen Taskforce, made up of BP, Shell, Arup, Baxi, BOC, BNP Paribas (plus its vehicle leasing company Arval), Cadent, DBD, ITM Power and Storengy, will agree a way forward for the UK to capitalise on the use of hydrogen to decarbonise in the home and lead the way across the global market. Purpose With a clear, agreed, purpose, there is an opportunity to promote large-scale deployment of hydrogen to deliver net zero. As a starting point, the Taskforce has published a report – ‘The Role of Hydrogen in Delivering Net Zero’ – to outline their policy recommendations for both industry and government to work towards to 2025. Actions put forward include suggested investment (£1bn into hydrogen production, storage and distribution) and a cross-departmental hydrogen strategy with the government. Funding is also requested for producing hydrogen for use in the gas grid, industrial use, power generation and transport. Imagine the opportunities that might present themselves if the industry can develop 100% hydrogen heating, hydrogen boilers, refuelling stations and hydrogen transport. These developments in technology inevitably mean opportunities to grow the jobs market. Starting with education (teaching people about the new technology), through to re-skilling from older technologies (to take existing skills and diversify for the future). Opportunities The opportunities were succinctly summed up by MP for Redcar, Jacob Young, who said: “It is clear that we cannot meet our net zero 2050 target without hydrogen technology” and “By taking the next steps and accelerating Hydrogen development programs we can create thousands of new, skilled, green jobs and continue to lead the world in the hydrogen economy.” Exciting times in the energy world and future technologies. At Allen & York we’re already working within this field and matching great candidates with innovative and purpose driven organisations. Give Richard Hawkesford a call on 01202 888986 or email: energy@allen-york to find out how we can help you. www.allen-york.com Source: https://renews.biz/58903/taskforce-targets-hydrogen-growth-in-the-uk/ https://renews.biz/58689/update-uk-pumps-33m-into-clean-hydrogen/
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Bumblebee, Herbie or Johnny Cab, is film fiction becoming a reality?
It would probably be a bridge too far to think that the Transformers are going to appear on our motorways any time soon. An even further stretch to see a sentient being like Herbie pootle down the high street. However, the automotive industry is changing, and technology advances could create a very different traffic ecosystem in the future. Ultra-connected, ultra-smart With almost every third person in the world owning a smartphone and it’s estimated that “The connected devices universe is expected to rise from current estimates of less than 5 billion to 80 billion by 2025*”. This increase will fast-forward car communications, which in turn will be the platform to build future digital services. Combine this with the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI), with machines being able to think logically and make decisions in real time. Add this technology to four wheels and you’ll find vehicles that can recognise their owners’ voices to optimise their journey, for their own preferences, in real time. Slowly the fiction is becoming more plausible. Automation will be the first step toward growth and will be determined initially by legislation of autonomous vehicles. If, or when, this happens the impact could resonate far and wide. Think now about those jobs that could be completed autonomously, e.g. lorry or taxi drivers could be a thing of the past, and what about the jobs that could be created by the advances in technology, e.g. engineers, consultants, transport modellers, project managers etc? Ultra, ultra-smart On a scale of smart, the evolution of autonomous vehicles could mean that they talk not only to each other, but to smart roads/motorways, parking garages, in fact it could change the face of transport planning and even town planning. Safety is still the primary concern of in-vehicle technology progress, if danger was sensed (e.g. in the form of pedestrians) especially in more densely populated towns and cities, it would need to act fast and slow the car down. The technology could come into its own in biggest town and cities, in terms of car-sharing and e-hailing taxis etc. If the technological advances carry on the same trajectory, they will likely be able to provide the services more efficiently (and more economically) by predicting demand, geographical spikes, down time and even parking availability. Parking is another key area that smarter tech will impact upon. With data accessible for live availability, peer-to-peer parking and the monetisation of available private or public parking could see growth especially if users can not only find spaces but pay for parking on their smartphones. Autonomy is not enough If technology is really going to drive wholescale change, the link between smartphone connectivity and autonomous technologies need to come together. The scenario improves when you see the synergy between the two – the improvements in road safety, the convenience of route planning and parking, the avoidance of congestions – all tailored to individual and community needs. The intelligent transport ecosystem brings with it a wealth of opportunity for individuals and businesses – not only in terms of usability for the future but as a viable career path for those technology minded individuals. We have already started to see growth in the roles available in this sector and as the technology advances, this can only continue. To get on board with this exciting and developing sector, call Ryan Clark on +44(0)1202 888986 or email: rclark@allen-york.com #ITS #intelligenttransportsystems #autonomousvehicles #technology Source: *https://www.intelligenttransport.com/transport-articles/65321/convergence-future-mobility/
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Greening your comms
Shout out for sustainability Okay, let’s put this out there… just because you add “sustainable” to your website, brochure or social media profile, it doesn’t hold much sway if you’re just talking the talk and not actually walking the walk. Whilst it’s ‘fashionable’ currently to be talking up your green credentials there are two important points to be made: You need to live your sustainability values (and not just use it as a tick a box exercise). You should plan your comms strategy around your activities and ensure you’re informing stakeholders and customers (and don’t forget employees) about your sustainability progress. Sustainable Development Goals can be used as the basis for your sustainability planning, so you can see where you fit in/what you can do. Whatever this turns out to be, it needs to be authentic. For the purpose of this blog, we’ll assume point 1 is a given. With respect to point 2, there is no point in relying on a standalone sustainability report to convey your green credentials. A one-off report hidden on your website isn’t going to reach your desired audience or necessarily be easily understood by all. Different messages, on different platforms, would be a better use of time and energy. The most effective way to deliver your “green comms” is based on three principles: Strategy Consistency Repetition Strategy A successful business usually has a strategy, the sustainability strategy should at the very least be an extension of this strategy but preferable an integral part of it. Managing sustainability performance is really no different to planning for long-term financial success – it’s all part of the planning process. These strategies continue to be intertwined, leading to sustainability evolving to become a core part of the strategy driving the business. A 2017 KPMG study states that “Most of the world’s biggest companies now integrate financial and non-financial data in their annual financial reports (78 percent), suggesting they believe CR information is relevant for investors.” This core strategy needs to be highlighted to investors as much as consumers – and the benefits highlighted to both – otherwise the market may remain unconvinced of sustainability’s importance. More enlightened companies, those with effective communications, don’t separate sustainability and financial messages. Sustainability is core to their business strategy and therefore they consistently reflect this in their messaging. Which brings us to point two – Consistency. Consistency You’re committed to reporting your sustainability goals/efforts. Fantastic. But have you thought about what you’re going to label this as? Your products/services undoubtedly have names, for ease of recognition, but what are you calling these sustainability endeavours? Is it Social, Environmental, and Governance? Corporate Responsibility? Citizenship? Different names for the same thing will create confusion. Clarity is key in all comms – this is no different. Keep it simple. Being consistent demonstrates to your target audience that sustainability is a deliberate, well-thought through, central component of your corporate identity (in short, a strategic element of your business). Repetition Once you’ve decided on a consistent name for your activities, use it. Use it again. And again. Marketeers know that you use different touch points to inspire people to purchase goods or services. Sustainability professionals need to take this idea and run with it. Connecting with stakeholders - and customers - across multiple platforms will encourage positive brand association. Why wouldn’t people want to buy from or invest in ethical, responsible businesses promoting sustainability? Our Head of Sustainability Recruitment, Kathryn Pereira, says: "We've seen a significant increase in the number of roles in PR and Communications requiring sustainability knowledge and experience and can only see this skillset becoming increasingly important in the coming months/years". The Global Reporting Initiative has a wealth of information on how to make the most of your sustainability reporting here. One thing’s for sure, in these days where climate crisis is constantly in the news and businesses are being urged to do more, there will be more focus on what you’re doing and more scrutiny from your customers, stakeholders and employees. Sustainable business practices should demonstrate a benefit to your brand and your employer brand. Here’s to shouting out for sustainability. More customers, more investment, better recruitment. Sustainability sells. #sustainability #climatecrisis #environment #communications Source: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?menu=1300 https://www.edie.net/library/The-S-word-edie-green-business-guide-to-communicating-sustainability/6716 https://assets.kpmg/content/dam/kpmg/xx/pdf/2017/10/kpmg-survey-of-corporate-responsibility-reporting-2017.pdf https://www.globalreporting.org/information/sustainability-reporting/Pages/New-reporters.aspx
