Monday 13 July 2020

Gemserv: ‘If we don’t deliver net zero we are looking at a fundamentally different world’

'If we don't deliver net zero we are looking at a fundamentally different world'.

That's the suggestion from Alex Goody, CEO of Gemserv, who spoke to future Net Zero Founder Sumit Bose about why the professional services firm has become a future Net Zero partner, and as its boss, what he thought about the 2050 target.

He said completely decarbonising the UK economy over the next three decades will be 'exceptionally challenging' but highlighted that  'things can be done really quickly in the face of adversity', as the coronavirus pandemic has proven.

The Gemserv boss noted the target was forecast to cost only 1% or 2% of GDP and said setting a clear goal allows companies and the rest of society to take a more holistic and effective approach to cutting emissions, as well as giving government a clear direction in which to drive policy.

He said: "If you don't set the target then what are you aiming at? If we don't do it, then we're looking at a fundamentally different world to what it is now and yes, we'll have to adapt but it's so much worse for the low-lying countries in the world, which are typically poorer.

"I'm thinking of Bangladesh here, which will be flooded and will no be able to deal with that in the way we would be able to in the UK, so it's something we have to do."