Gavin Lendon

The sun is out. So is the Climate Change Committee’s 2024 report to parliament. 2 more reasons to be cheerful. Recommendations in a nutshell: 1) remove policy costs from electricity prices to support industrial and domestic electrification. 2) ditch the policies exempting landlords from making their properties more energy efficient, and that slow down gas boiler phase out. 3) remove planning restrictions on heat pumps, onshore wind and car charge points. 4) redesign next energy auction that enables 50GW offshore wind by 2030. 5) ramp up tree planting and peatland restoration. 6) accelerate business model development for large scale removals. 7) build a green skills plan. 8) establish vision and objectives to support policy. Phew! The signals of short sighted policy dilution from the previous jelly backboned govt have sent a signal to investors and the doubting corporate decision makers that the UK doesn’t see climate as important. Let’s keep this momentum. See link to full doc here: https://lnkd.in/ex2hWjgg

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A disappointing end to Cop16 Biodiversity: no commitment on major funding needed, no consensus on measuring progress (or lack thereof) on biodiversity. We do have good data on the research on biodiversity. This is addressed in a recent Elsevier report https://lnkd.in/eXNB8ztH We see for instance that Brazil is the true leader in biodiversity science across Latin America based on number of publications. We also see that the (field-weighted citation) impact is high across the Latin American continent but higher for the smaller contributors, most likely because these countries participate in the high impact international studies with many partners across the globe. Elsevier remains committed to a more biodiverse world and will continue to contribute independent, trustworthy data. #COP16 #biodiversity #COP16Colombia #GlobalBiodiversityFramework #BiodiversityResearch #COP16Cali #sustainabledevelopment #SDGs #CaliEsCOP16 Paola Barr Barr Valeria Valeria Rinaudo Carlos Henrique de Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz Cruz Dante Dante Cid Bob Bob Kreiken Jeanne Jeanne Nel

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COP 16 Biodiversity is well underway and its prime impact is (should be) on policy worldwide. New and better policies around biodiversity. And hopefully science-based policies. But can we measure the impact of science on policy? One way is to measure the citations in policy documents to scientific publications - see the figure below. We see that biodiversity research has three times more impact on policy than research across all disciplines. Research from Europe and the US & Canada has the highest impact on policy while East Asia (mostly China) has the least impact on policy. More in the recent Elsevier report https://lnkd.in/eXNB8ztH #COP16 #biodiversity #COP16Colombia #GlobalBiodiversityFramework #BiodiversityResearch #COP16Cali #sustainabledevelopment #SDGs #CaliEsCOP16 Paola Barr Valeria Rinaudo Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz Dante Cid Bob Kreiken Jeanne Nel

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AES is delighted to take part in the first UK Net Zero Business Census – https://lnkd.in/em6gfG54. This is the largest national research initiative of its kind, delivered by the UK Business Climate Hub in partnership with Planet Mark and a coalition of business associations, media outlets and large corporates. This initiative aims to establish a definitive benchmark for the private sector's contribution to the UK's national 2050 net zero target through a strong collaborative effort to gather the largest ever dataset reflecting UK organisations progress on net zero. Take part in the Census and help shape invaluable insights for policymakers, investors, and business leaders, guiding the nation's journey towards a sustainable future. You can access the Census at https://lnkd.in/etaiTC8V until 30th June 2024. Let's work together to drive positive change and pave the way for a more sustainable future. #NetZeroCensus #netzero #sustainability

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Here’s the scoop: the UK is shifting away from the old model of direct payments to landowners and farmers. Instead, they’re introducing new schemes based on enviromental land management practices. Think of it as financial support for things like boosting biodiversity, keeping soils healthy, and planting more trees—essentially, making it easier (and more sensible) to be eco-friendly with your land, all while easing the financial load. Our latest article in the Grant Library breaks down the main subsidy programmes like: Environmental Land Management (ELM), Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)etc. 📖 Curious? Check out the full article in our Library https://lnkd.in/dRABwiGy #SustainableLandManagement #EnvironmentalSupport #NatureRecovery #UKGrants

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A piece I wrote recently about green investment and nature markets. https://lnkd.in/eav8GdUx There's so much potential. Crucially an expert, trusted, intermediary or broker, bringing together investment, environment & community expertise, could bundle up projects and income streams to offer attractive investment opportunities.

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“Customers have enjoyed the benefits of less investment…” says Water UK’s David Henderson on BBC Radio 4 Today programme, 8.25am, 8/10/24. I get his point and, to be fair, the full quote is below, but customers did not want lower water bills at the expense of rivers and seas being more polluted, and wildlife diminished. The stand-off over the size of water bills between water and sewerage companies and the government’s regulators is not helping. On the one hand companies have treated water bill payers as cash machines. On the other, Ofwat, the government’s economic regulator, has been environmentally-clueless. The government's obsession with deregulation and cutting its Environment Agency doesn't help. We’re constantly given the false choice of either low bills and more polluted and nature-depleted waters, or higher bills with perhaps a little less pollution, and nature in better condition at some vague point in the future...maybe. Here’s Henderson’s reply to Amol Rajan’s question about customers having to pay more now to make up for past failures to invest in fixing water pipes, upgrading creaky sewage plants etc: “Well, I’m afraid you’re right. It’s either the state pays or the customers pay. Customers have enjoyed the benefits of less investment than we think has been needed over the last fifteen or so years. “That’s why bills are about 20 per cent lower than if they had merely risen with inflation. So, now we have to play catch up, and unfortunately, because we are investing now and not ten years ago, interest rates are much higher so the costs is going to be greater…” Aside from blame games between Ofwat and Water UK, Mr Henderson didn’t get to say that some companies admit NOT investing enough in the past even within bill levels Ofwat set.

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The clock is ticking & the next climate COP is kicking off. We WRAP with IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution) EY have just launched an evidence-based report confirming the sheer scale of change, in investment, in action, that needs to happen if we are to create a Net Zero UK Food System - and that is possible. We know that a proliferation of ‘pathways’ has been a barrier to focus and scale. So we have come together, as NGOs and businesses behind one shared understanding of how to get to Net Zero. And we hope Govt as it develops a food strategy will also take & build on this report. Daniel Zeichner It is not perfect. But we don’t want to make perfection the enemy of progress, and we do want to take a step forward together towards scaled action via three key actions: 1. By investing in our farmers, recognising all the pressures on them. Without fairness, security and sufficient financial rewards for Net Zero action & for protecting and restoring nature, there can be no meaningful climate action in the food sector. 2. By reducing food waste – which as well as costing our planet, is costing the average household of four around a staggering £1000 a year in good food going in the bin. Whilst we’ve made great strides on food waste reductions through the voluntary food sector's Courtauld Commitment,  we need to put our foot down on the accelerator (EV obvs)  to hit the 2030 goal of halving the nation’s waste. That is just 6 years away.. So now is the time to step up to the plate backing proven solutions, finding innovations. 3. Changing the nation’s diet - critical for hitting net zero goals and  creating a resilient UK food system that can provide nutritious, affordable food for everyone.  We will need to lean into the tough debates, complexity and need for clear evidence and data, with practical, workable solutions. This report provides us all with the best current truth on the pathway to Net Zero, it is the recipe bringing together all the ingredients that the UK food sector have, to make this historic transition to a better food system, to do it well, and to do it on time.. We hope we will all to use it as that catalyst to action. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Sarah Bradbury Catherine David Kirsty Saddler David Kennedy Simon Roberts Sebastian Munden Check out the overview, the summary report, and the full technical report 👉 https://lnkd.in/eRMTq9jB 👈

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NAVIGATING NET ZERO: ESSENTIAL GUIDE LAUNCHED FOR SCOTLAND’S FOOD & DRINK SECTOR To equip Scotland’s food and drink businesses with the tools to reduce their emissions in line with the national 2045 target, the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership Net Zero Commitment  has released a new handbook designed to help food and drink businesses navigate the complex language of #sustainability. https://lnkd.in/d8PXswJx

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Looking for an impartial review of carbon reporting solutions for UK SMEs? Sponsored by British Business Bank our report provides: 🗂 A comprehensive list of carbon reporting solutions  🤷‍♂️ Guidance on choosing the right solution for your business 💡 Advice tailored to the needs of your business And much more!

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People, Planet, Pint is coming around again - May 9th. The Mayoral election will be decided but what will that mean for climate change mitigation and adaptation in North Yorkshire? Come meet and discuss the: Environment & Energy: Transition to Carbon Negative – The transition to carbon negative is not just good for the environment, but can also support our businesses, people and communities:  Will the winner Monitor and measure the delivery of the Routemap to Carbon Negative. Will they Accelerate the drive to net-zero and a green, regenerative sustainable economy. Will they Implement The Circular Economy – Create a Waste Free Yorkshire! Will they support British leadership of a renewed clean industrial revolution is essential for economic revival and increased prosperity for British people. Will they have a visionary mission, with clarity of purpose and a clear target, well in advance of other developed economies, of net zero by 2030, which is also in line with the science. will they address the decline of nature in Britain must be switched to restoration immediately and our waterways protected from pollution. Looking forward to seeing you! https://lnkd.in/eF7D28qK

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“SMEs contribute 44% of the UK’s private sector greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, yet nine out of 10 don’t fully understand what the Government’s target of making the UK Net Zero by 2050 means for them and just one in ten businesses are measuring their carbon footprint.” Our SME group at WMG delivers the Net Zero Innovation Network (NZIN) programme for SMEs to help them realise the opportunities that are available by working towards Net Zero targets. Collaboration amongst each cohort of SMEs has proven effective to help solve their sustainability goals, deliver big energy savings as well as increase profitability. We are recruiting for the next cohort now. Read more about the NZIN project here: https://lnkd.in/eT28fS3y #NetZero #SME #Collaboration #NetZeroWeek #Sustainability WMG Business

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Simplify Climate ESG Doctor: What is climate change? Visit our website www.simplifyclimate.co.uk to arrange a consultation with our ESG doctor. We want to help you set an initial reporting baseline, measure your carbon emissions and reduce your reporting costs. Lets simplify climate action! #sustainability #esg #esgreporting #climatechange #netzero #weather #extremweather

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For those of us in Scotland, today, The Scottish Government has published the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and it's first 6-year Delivery Plan. Together, they outline Scotland's ambitions to be Nature Positive by 2030, and to have restored and regenerated biodiversity across the country by 2045. This is the main policy mechanism for biodiversity in Scotland which, together with equivalents in the other four countries, feeds into the UK NBSAP (National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans), which then feeds into our role in achieving international targets set out in the Global Biodiversity Framework. In fact, you should be able to find some of those international targets and phases translated into the national context in there. For example, the 30x30 target (30% of land and sea protected for nature) and terms such as 'whole-of-society approach'. Some of our Scotland crew will be meeting with Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Gillian Martin, next week to discuss alignments with the UK Youth Priorities for Nature and youth representation in biodiversity policy, decision-making, and governance going forward. Strategy - https://lnkd.in/e9NU43MC Delivery plan - https://lnkd.in/eFtNFuH6 UK Youth Priorities for Nature - https://lnkd.in/eUfyH-fV

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Prioritising #ClimateAction can be tough as a small business, especially when it feels like your to-do list just keeps growing. The SME Climate Hub helps us access free support and guidance in our climate action journey.  This #EarthDay, get involved and learn more about the community now: https://bit.ly/4cS1iH0  #bcorp #bcorporation #bcorps #goodbusiness #goodbusinessesdogood #goodbusinesspractices #good4business

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Sometimes it’s the companies that fly beneath the radar that can do the most to protect biodiversity. Read the latest report from our Biodiversity Equity team to learn the ‘secret sauce’ that goes into picking the best of biodiversity businesses: https://lnkd.in/gfANzZXS Ingrid Kukuljan Jordan Patel Gemma Corrigan Sonya Likhtman Paul Dalton #biodiversity #biodiversitychampions #biodiversityinvesting Capital at risk. For professional investors only. 

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Questions for a Sustainable Future // 1. What are the topics you'd like to explore with AberInnovation, me and colleagues at our Shaping a Sustainable Future Conference on 3rd December? 2. What help might you need to develop a strategy and business plan that's based on working with the laws of physics and biology rather than the convenient comfort of continuing to do the wrong things better, and call that enough? 3. What people skills will you and your teams need to respond fully to the wild scale of disruption coming our way as we head towards our planned and intended temperature increase of +3c? 4. What would you set out to do if you took the evidence around as real, and knew that when you responded, you couldn't fail? Climate LinkUP Mark Jones Alan Horton Rhian Hayward MBE Iain Donnison

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Delighted to have shared with the leading trade body, UKHospitality what we have learned at mission : net zero as to how hotel investors, owners and operators are increasingly embedding ESG considerations into every stage of a hotel investment life cycle, from due diligence for acquisitions & disposals, for leasing and asset management opportunities, and refinancing and subsequent exit strategies. Similarly, the opportunity to report and disclose ESG performance attributes of individual assets, portfolios and institutions is increasing, with regulatory disclosure requirements and pressures also rising. More details in the link below ⏬

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