Holly Edwards

In the second article in EOS at Federated Hermes Limited's Q3 Public Engagement Report, Joanne (Jo) B. and George Watson explain how we engage with companies on water #stewardship, to address scarcity and quality issues. #ESG #nature #humanrights #biodiversity https://bit.ly/3AsXTQy

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The recent news around Havas and their B-Corp status started me thinking; currently there is a 3 year review and this is no different to many accreditation/ qualifications. For example gas engineers must be re-assessed every 5 years and the veterinary profession are using CPD in a similar way to the medical profession. Doctors must re-validate with the GMC on an ongoing basis. People and businesses need to maintain skills and up skill as their sector evolves. What was seen as acceptable in the past and demonstrating commitment to sustainability goals is not even table stakes today! I welcome seeing more of this to reinforce the value of our industry certifications https://lnkd.in/exNrxWYa

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Today, SONI - System Operator for Northern Ireland has published our Winter Outlook 2024/25. This annual publication sets out our assessment of the balance between anticipated consumer demand for electricity and expected generation for the Winter period. Our assessment for Winter 2024/25 shows that we expect to have enough generation to meet demand in normal operating conditions, and assuming our portfolio of conventional generation remains available. In this context, the likelihood of any disruption to consumers because of insufficient generation is small. We have experienced some challenges in recent months with unexpected forced outages, and these challenges may remain in the lead up to the Winter period. However, we have the plans in the place to minimise the risk of any disruption. Operating any power system is inherently challenging and involves balancing a wide range of variable factors. As Northern Ireland's power system, rightly and importantly, transitions to cleaner, but more variable and intermittent sources of electricity, this balance becomes more complex. In the future, technology such as Long Duration Energy Storage, at sufficient scale, will help address some of these interim, transitional challenges. Find out more about the 2024/25 Winter Outlook here: https://lnkd.in/eKDvvinC

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Not everyday you get the opportunity to work on such a critical piece of work in the #transitionfinance space. The deployment of transition finance will be fundamental in meeting UK and global climate goals. Very much looking forward to launching the Transition Finance Market Review's recommendations to market and ongoing collaboration with City of London Corporation on this important project. #TransitionFinance #ClimateConnumications #NetZero #Decarbonization Charlie Morrow

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🌍 What does a Labour Government mean for sustainable businesses? 🌍 With the Labour Party now at the helm of the UK government, the green agenda is making a strong comeback. This shift brings a wave of optimism across the sustainability sector, offering fresh opportunities for organisations to drive investment, scale their operations, and lead the charge towards a greener future. However, amidst this excitement, it’s crucial for businesses to navigate the evolving landscape with strategic precision to ensure they stand out. In my latest blog for The PHA Group, I explore how sustainability-focused organisations can seize this moment by leveraging effective communication strategies to thrive under a new political climate. 🔍 Key takeaways: ·       The importance of transparent and authentic communication to build trust and credibility. ·       Strategies to stand out in an increasingly competitive sustainability sector. ·       How to align your organisation’s efforts with the current political momentum for maximum impact. The UK’s political landscape is ripe with opportunity for sustainable businesses. Now is the time to position your organisation as a leader in the green transition. #sustainability #greenagenda #labourgovernment #businessstrategy #communication #greenbusiness

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Whether you work in the creative industries or not, I would recommend picking this up (no, not just because I helped write it). 🧟‍♂️ Run an agency? There are a bunch of very practical tools to support you. 🧟‍♂️ Work in policy? Get a rundown of what the latest state of play is globally and regionally, plus see how agencies like Nice and Serious are developing their own frameworks to fill the gaps. 🧟‍♂️ Work on the brand side? See where people have got it wrong and others have got it right (and some people who have done both) and the questions leading agencies are starting to ask. #Storytelling #climate #Climatecommunications #communications #greenwashing #sustainability

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Sillion's Annual Investor Sustainability Report has just been published! I've been here all of about 5 minutes, so I can take absolutely zero credit for it, but it's a brilliant source of insight into what investors want to see from corporates from a sustainability disclosure, reporting and communications perspective. I found the insights around "greenhushing" especially interesting. It's becoming much more prevalent and is perceived as slowing progress in some sectors. Meanwhile, checks and balances for greenwashing are becoming more commonplace.

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It's #ClimateWeek in NYC - how are you working to reduce your carbon footprint? Check out this video we made with some of the DBT team & follow the page for more ⬇

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GB Energy was officially unveiled last week! Will Labour's flagship energy policy deliver lower bills and the lead the UK to a clean grid by 2030, or are the Government's proposals a load of hot air? My colleague Cameron Wall has pulled together a few thoughts on what GB Energy will mean for industry and consumers. Three quick points: 1. GB Energy will need to complement, not duplicate the role of the private sector 🤝 2. By the end of the Parliament, voters will want to have seen their energy bills come down. This could be a tough ask through GB Energy alone 💵 3. GB Energy is ambitious, but does the UK have the skills and supply chain required to deliver success? 👷‍♂️ As I have said previously, the Government doesn't have all the answers yet and are actively wanting support from businesses who can provide answers to what are complex questions. If you want to play your part in helping shape the UK's energy future, get in touch! 📩

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COP29 is now underway, and as usual there's plenty of controversy - ranging from who's attending (and who's not...); the appropriateness of hosting in a state who's economy not just reliant on oil and gas but increasing fossil fuel capacity; the conduct of the organisers (the BBC's expose of Elnur Soltanov was pretty astonishing); to accusations of 'fake news' (President Ilham Aliyev today) and much much more... Brands, whether they're attending in Baku or not, who are considering using COP as an opportune moment to talk up their sustainability credentials should proceed with caution... COPs in recent years have often been tarred with the brush (no pun intended, exactly) of greenwashing - an accusation with can quickly erode brand trust and reputation. Scott Addison and I have written a piece on all this for Green Business Journal, which hopefully provides some useful tidbits for brands and marketers. https://lnkd.in/e4RaNQYp

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Sustainability and comms need to go hand in hand as David Willans so correctly points out. You’ve got to think of all the audiences who need to be engaged, from employees, partners, investors, suppliers, customers, regulators, media, and more. And then find and craft the stories that’ll excite and influence them. And then meet them where the conversations are taking place. It’s not one-size-fits-all. Just writing a report and sticking a pdf online for people to read is not going to cut the mustard. In fact it’s both a risk and a missed opportunity.

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If you've ever wondered how NGOs choose which companies to target, watch this video ⬇ Groups select companies based on a number of factors including reputation, size and credibility, which is why you might see large, well-established firms regularly singled out. Here's Charlotte Moore explaining how this works.

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With the UK general election on the horizon, it’s a pivotal time for net zero innovators, as well as for green energy as a whole. Each party has different visions when it comes to green energy and their policies will shape our industry’s future, hence I thought it wise to offer a sweeping overview on what we should expect from each: 🔵 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬: Expect steady support for offshore wind and nuclear, but with potentially less aggressive targets compared to other parties. 🔴 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫: Aiming for bold changes, Labour proposes significant investments in renewables, energy efficiency, and green jobs in a bid to make Britain "𝘈 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳" 🟠 𝐋𝐢𝐛 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐬: Consistently strong on climate action, they could push for ambitious green policies, higher climate targets, and robust investments in renewables if they have influence in a coalition. 🟢 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧: Advocating for a rapid transition to 100% renewable energy, massive investments in green tech, and stringent emissions reductions. Their influence could drive aggressive climate action. The election’s outcome will steer the UK’s path towards meeting climate targets and advancing green energy innovation - so it's safe to say it's an exciting time for the net-zero innovators in my network! I’d love to hear what else people would like to see for green energy— so please do share your thoughts! Let’s keep it focused on ideas rather than political arguments please. #GreenEnergy #Sustainability #ClimateAction #RenewableEnergy

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This week DBT published its new #IndustrialStrategy including eight growth sectors that the government plans to focus on to capitalise on the UK’s strengths. Welcome news of progress and now the key question is what the market or other failures in these sectors are, and how the Strategy will move the dial to support these sectors to grow and innovate - not just emphasise the sectors that are expected to grow. With a lengthy section on a Pro-Business Environment and a set of cross-cutting supporting initiatives surrounding people and skills, trade, regulation and competition that could be key enablers as well as the head of the Advisory Council coming from the world of business, this will be welcomed by many. However, this will also mean additional scrutiny around government legislation which focuses on consumer or worker protection and its compatibility with the Industrial Strategy. We’ve already seen mixed reviews from the #BuiltEnvironment Industry with some stating the Strategy to be a “fresh approach” whilst others in the #construction sector feeling somewhat left out despite being the “engine which will deliver and sustain the physical investment that these industries need to thrive”. 📅 The full Industrial Strategy will be launched in Spring 2025, and the Government is seeking your input to shape it! Do drop me a message if you want to discuss more or hear how Portland can guide you through this process. #Invest2035 #UKIndustrialStrategy #EconomicGrowth #Innovation #RegionalDevelopment

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It was fascinating to work with my client Nigel Timperley, New Energy Strategies Manager at LCP Delta on BBC Panorama's latest documentary exploring issues with the GB smart meter roll out. The documentary looks how smart meters work, why we need them, and uncovers key issues for consumers, with Energy UK confirming for the first time there is a regional divide because of the way meters send usage data back to suppliers.   Great to listen to Nigel’s insight on two BBC radio interviews this morning! While there are major issues that urgently need to be addressed to fix the roll out, such as calling for UK policy to focus on smart meter repairs as well as installations, Nigel articulately explained why smart meters are key to cheaper, greener, more secure energy. 🕗Energy costs fluctuate throughout the day and smart meters let us take advantage of cheaper energy times by shifting our use ✨By spreading out demand, we could use fewer power stations, lower grid costs and make energy cheaper for everyone – even those without smart meters 🌎By reducing energy waste and enabling us to fully utilise our own renewable energy resources, smart meters help minimise the need to import energy from potentially unreliable sources. This bolsters national energy security and self-sufficiency.   Our client Yselkla Farmer, CEO of BEAMA also shared her response to the documentary:  ⚙️The speed of the rollout is increasingly too slow and close to reaching a point that is unsustainable for the manufacturing supply chain to service with confidence ❌ We have already seen some metering businesses leave the UK, and we don’t want more to follow 🧠 A review of the program needs to address the question of accountability and consider additional options for improved communications ✅ We must complete the roll out to ensure all consumers can be engaged in a fair and equitable flexible energy market   As we continue to modernise our energy infrastructure, smart meters will play a crucial role in enabling a smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable grid. It’s vital we get the program back on track and resolve the current faults!   Be sure to give the BBC episode a watch on iplayer here: https://lnkd.in/eEPwU2Kx

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CIPR Crisis Communications Network Event: 'Reputation, Risk and Resilience: where now & what next?', Tuesday 30th September 13.00 – 14.15 BST I'm incredibly proud of every single event that the small but mighty volunteer army behind the CIPR Crisis Communications Network has put on over the the past three years. However, I'm personally particularly excited about our next event, taking place on 30th September, called 'Reputation, Risk and Resilience: where are we now and what happens next?'. We've assembled a stellar panel of experts, who - together with me and the Network's Co-Chair, Katherine Sykes FCIPR Chart.PR - will explore and discuss the key findings - and practical implications - of the report of that name, which I released in May. In the expanded 2024 edition, I summarised and analysed eight major global reports on those interlocking topics from the previous 12 months, providing a window into the current – and emerging – state of reputation, trust, risk, resilience, employee engagement, security and business continuity. We have purposefully hand-picked a panel who were personally involved in one of those eight reports (I've listed the relevant publication for each panellist below) and our expert line-up consists of: 1. Rachel Phillips, Director of Client Operations, Ipsos Corporate Reputation (Ipsos Reputation Council report) 2. Eliot Mizrachi, Vice President, Strategy and Content, The Page Society (Page Society 'CCO Views into 2024' report) 3. Nick Hope, Managing Director, Crisis and Risk, Edelman EMEA (Edelman Trust Barometer 2024) With just under a month to go, we already have 250+ people signed up to take part, so please do join us for what is set to be a provocative and insightful event. You can register via the link in the comments. #reputation #risk #resilience #crisis #crisiscommunications #riskmanagement #pr #publicrelations #communications #leadership #management #business #marketing

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🚀 Is Your Sustainability Report stuck in the Past? clearly the future is digital, do you agree? In the rapidly evolving landscape of sustainability reporting, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is pushing UK companies to rethink their strategies. But how can businesses balance regulatory compliance with engaging storytelling? The answer lies in digital innovation. 🔍 Key Insights: Understand Your Audience: Tailor your sustainability reports to meet the needs of different stakeholders, from talent to customers. Separate Sustainability Reports: Use dedicated sustainability reports to highlight strategic stories and showcase your company’s unique journey. Embrace Digital Platforms: Leverage your corporate website to create an immersive, interactive experience. Utilize videos, live case studies, AI chatbots, and interactive infographics to bring your sustainability narrative to life. By adopting these strategies, companies can transform their sustainability reports into dynamic, engaging, and impactful stories that resonate with all stakeholders. 🌱✨ #Sustainability #DigitalInnovation #CSRD #CorporateReporting #SustainabilityReporting #BusinessStrategy

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A number of key areas will be influencing our thinking ahead of tomorrows general election. One of those that has become even more important, if not critical, in recent years is climate action. How the parties in power handle this is crucial for the future. My colleagues at Material | B Corp™ have produced a very timely summary that includes information you may find useful as you help decide the countries fate. Sharing in case it helps

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What's the business case for building sustainable choices into TV shows? Join me to discuss how ITV includes climate content in drama, reality, entertainment and more at the Climate Content summit at the Barbican today.

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