Friday 15 November 2019

Big business and green movement ‘are totally compatible’

Big business and the green movement towards the fight against climate change are "totally compatible", according to a senior executive from Schneider Electric.

Mike Hughes, Zone President at Schneider Electric UK & Ireland believes while there may be differences on how organisations play their part in the move towards the net zero target and the speed at which it happens, the two are “totally aligned”.

Speaking at ELN's Energy Live Expo event last week, which attracted more than 450 people from across the industry, he said: “Big business goes where there is opportunity. Big business is a force for good. It has to be involved in this transition, in this change, in this climate change.

“If you look at it, there are two things that have happened in the last five to seven years that have really accelerated this topic. One is the general public getting on board with the whole concept of climate change, the emergency. The second is actually the business community and particularly the financial community starting to look at the financial risks around climate change and moving its money and where it will invest.”

Mr Hughes added the UK’s target for net zero carbon emissions by 2050 is a “hugely ambitious step” and it shows leadership, direction and ambition, enabling businesses to focus on where they can invest.

He is also “extremely optimistic” and from a technology point of view, he believes there are technologies available to support the transition.

He said: “It’s now around awareness, incentives from government, the right regulations to get people to make the right step and boosting the use of these technologies. I’m extremely positive.”