john firth - adaptation futures 2014
Post on 09-Feb-2022
1 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
1
John Firth, CEO and Co-‐founder
Personal Profile
John has extensive experience of integrating climate change into decision-‐making and risk
management processes, working with national and regional governments and some of the world’s largest companies, banks, pension funds and insurers. He has particular expertise in the impacts of climate change on the water, energy, oil and gas, insurance, investment and legal sectors.
John founded Acclimatise in 2004. He focuses on integrating climate change into corporate governance and risk management procedures at the Board room level, and providing technical guidance and advice on asset management, investment and financial appraisal to project level
decision-‐makers. John’s work with Acclimatise has seen the publication of the first Carbon Disclosure Report entirely focused on adaptation (The adaptation tipping point: are UK businesses climate-‐proof? 2006). The ground breaking project he led for the Association of British Insurers (The
financial risks of climate change, 2005) demonstrated how climate science can be integrated within existing decision making processes to calculate the future costs of extreme events.
John works with politicians, civil servants, directors and senior managers of some of the world’s
largest companies, governments (national, regional and local), banks (including the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Barclays), pension funds and insurers on assessing and managing climate risks across their portfolios.
John has worked on climate change adaptation in Europe (UK, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Russia), Middle East (Abu Dhabi), Africa (Ghana, South Africa), Asia (Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Pakistan), North and South America (Canada and Colombia) and the Caribbean. He provided
technical advice to both the ACCC and SPACC in the Caribbean and was invited by the UK F&CO to brief senior civil servants from the Commonwealth states in November 2008 on risk management and developing climate resilience.
Prior to founding Acclimatise, John led strategic business planning for Severn Trent Water and has 28 years experience in the water industry. During this time he held senior management positions with Severn Trent Water including strategic business planning with overall responsibility for water
resource, water treatment and distribution, sewerage and sewage treatment planning, financial appraisal and defining the strategies to drive over £4billion of asset investment. He was responsible for assessing climate change impacts on the company’s water resources and his work on urban
drainage impacts alerted the UK industry to the risks for urban sewerage systems. He was also responsible for all liaisons between the company and spatial planning authorities, securing all
company planning permissions (over 1,000) and EIAs.
John has been involved with and led UK regional and sectoral climate change partnerships. He is a member of the Defra/UKCIP Advisory Group. John was a member of the UK Government Advisory
Committee on Business in the Environment (ACBE) Sustainable Development working group. He has briefed UK Government Cabinet Ministers on climate change and business.
John is a trained facilitator and has run many climate change, asset management and environmental
issue workshops. He has developed and led capacity-‐building exercises. He has published numerous
2
articles in professional journals and appeared as a speaker at conferences throughout the world on
water, environmental issues and climate change.
John holds a BSc in Urban Land Economics, a postgraduate diploma in Urban and Regional Planning and is a member of various professional institutions.
Contact details
Acclimatise, Hexgreave Hall, Farnsfield, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG22 8LS, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1623 884347
Mobile: +44 (0) 7769 706184
Fax: +44 (0) 1623 700234
Email: j.firth@acclimatise.uk.com
Nationality: British
Experience and achievements
2004 – present CEO and co-‐founder, Acclimatise
Selected project experience:
Development of an Implementation Plan for the Regional Framework for Achieving Development Resilient to Climate Change, Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre and CARICOM (2010 – 2011)
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states are working towards the successful deployment of the ‘Regional Framework for Achieving Development Resilient to Climate Change’ that was approved by the Heads of Government in 2009. The Caribbean Community Climate Change
Centre (CCCCC) has been asked by CARICOM to develop the Implementation Plan for the framework. With the help of funding from the Climate Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) and DFID Caribbean, the CCCCC has enlisted the services of Acclimatise to help construct an effective
Implementation Plan. The Plan will detail how the regional framework is to be implemented across different sectors. It is focussed on delivering transformational change to build resilience to the adverse affects of climate change on the most at risk sectors: energy, agriculture, fisheries and food
security, water resources, tourism, coastal and marine resources and human health; and to create low carbon economies. The plan emphasises the need for partnership building between governments, regional organisations, the private sector, civil society, international donors and IFIs to
ensure that transformational change can be achieved. The IP was successfully completed and endorsed/approved by the CARICOM Council of Ministers with responsibility for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) in September 2011, with a recommendation to the Heads of Government for
acceptance at their next meeting.
3
Climate change risk assessment and strategy, City of Moscow Government, Russia (2008-‐2010)
Acclimatise supported, guided and advised the City of Moscow Government and four other major Russian cities (St Petersburg, Samara, Rostov on Don, Yekaterinburg) as they assess the risks of climate change and develop adaptation and mitigation strategies. The project developed a dialogue
with other major urban areas including London, focusing on the practical steps cities can take to manage the impacts of inevitable climate change and reduce emissions. This project was funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Climate change risk assessment and management for a hydropower facility, Nepal, IFC (2007-‐2009)
Acclimatise was commissioned by the IFC to identify and assess the risks that climate variability and climate change poses to three IFC large fixed asset projects, examining four areas of performance of
the investments that could be affected by climate change, namely engineering, environmental, social and financial performance. One of the projects was a run-‐of-‐river hydropower facility in the Himalayas. Acclimatise has assessed the impacts of climate change on the power output from the
facility, for a range of climate models and greenhouse gas emission scenarios. Based on this assessment, Acclimatise worked with the facility owners and the IFC to identify and evaluate appropriate adaptation measures to manage the risks. This involves perturbing the financial model
for the facility to take account of climate change impacts and adaptation interventions.
Climate change and shareholder value: the adaptation imperative, Universities Superannuation Scheme, Hendersons Global Investors, Railpen Investments, Insight Investment (2009)
The client consortium wanted to understand how four key sectors (oil & gas, energy, commercial
property and water) will be affected by a changing climate. The project highlighted why and how companies in those sectors should mainstream adaptation into their strategic and operational decisions. It explained how the need to adapt (or failure to adapt) has the potential to impact on
shareholder value. It also identified the information on climate change risks and adaptation that companies need to provide to investors, so that they can incorporate these issues into their valuation models. One of the key objectives of the project is to provide a basis for investor
engagement with companies on their strategic risk management and disclosure of adaptation. Acclimatise as part of this project has set up an investor resource centre on its website at http://www.acclimatise.uk.com/resources/investors.
Climate impacts risk assessment methodology (CIRAM), UK Ministry of Defence Estates (2009)
Acclimatise was commissioned by the Defence Estates to develop a methodology to enable the MoD to assess and manage the risks of climate change for the operation, management and future
development of its major bases and property assets in the UK. The project developed four pilot studies that looked at the impacts of climate change in different areas of the UK, and identified site specific risk management measures. Based on lessons learned from the pilot studies, Acclimatise
developed an MOD-‐specific risk identification and scoring methodology, known as the Climate
4
Impact Risk Assessment Methodology or CIRAM. The methodology was designed to integrate into
MOD’s existing risk assessment and management processes. CIRAM is being implemented across priority MOD establishments.
Climate change and business risks, Carbon Disclosure Projects sponsored by IBM (2009)
The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) represents the world's largest institutional investor collaboration on the business implications of climate change. The CDP process involves institutional investors who collectively sign a single global request for disclosure of information on greenhouse
gas emissions from the FT500 largest companies globally.
Following on from the report prepared by Acclimatise and UKCIP in “The Adaptation tipping point: are UK businesses climate proof?” for the 4th CDP information request. Acclimatise prepared four
reports, sponsored by IBM, using information from the 6th CDP information request:
� FTSE 350
� Global oil and gas companies
� Global energy companies
� Global mining and metals companies
The reports reviewed the responses by companies of the risks posed to their business by a changing
climate, and the adaptation measures undertaken to safeguard assets and operations.
Future proofing business decisions, E.ON UK (2008-‐09)
E.ON UK commissioned Acclimatise to develop its climate change adaptation strategy, with the aim of future-‐proofing its business for inevitable climate change. The project developed internal
awareness of adaptation issues across the group.
The project involved:
� Developing climate risk and adaptation case studies specific to each of E.ON’s six business
units: corporate, generation, retail, central networks, business services, and environment services,
� Collaborative working between Acclimatise and E.ON staff to develop adaptation strategies
for each of the six business units and an overall company-‐wide strategy.
Climate change and the Caribbean: strengthening the science-‐policy interface, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (2008-‐09)
Acclimatise was commissioned by the British High Commission in Barbados and the FCO to provide a
detailed briefing to the Permanent Secretaries of 11 Caribbean States on the integration of climate change into policy setting and decision making for critical assets and infrastructure.
Climate change and business opportunities, Association of British Insurers (2007)
In 2007 the Association of British Insurers (ABI) released a major research report, “Insuring our
future climate: thinking for tomorrow, today” prepared by Acclimatise, with support from Futerra.
5
The report explores the business opportunities for insurers in responding to the impacts of climate
change on their domestic and commercial customers. The report, for example, indicates that the premium value for the UK commercial renewable energy markets could range from £450 million to £1.33 billion by 2020. It also explores the role insurers can take in encouraging changes in behaviour
and attitudes by their customers, in relation to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Assessment of the climate change risks faced by a group of assets including a power station, gas and oil pipelines and an oil production platform, BP (2006)
The assessment covered risks during the assets’ operating life and de-‐commissioning phase.
Recommendations were made to the client regarding changes to operating, asset maintenance and monitoring regimes, and data collection. This included advice on how to integrate climate change risks into environmental management systems and health and safety procedures.
Climate change risk assessment, Association of British Insurers (2005)
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) commissioned Acclimatise to assess the costs of climate change on natural catastrophe insurance and the resultant impacts on financial markets. A
comprehensive review of all available industry and academic research was undertaken.
The report (‘financial risks of climate change’) was released at a conference on the 29th June 2005 hosted by the ABI and attended by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Margaret Beckett.
The conference brought together for the first time senior representatives of leading insurance companies from around the world to discuss the implications of climate change for insurance markets.
This ground-‐breaking work focused on the potential impacts of changing weather costs on global capital requirements for the insurance and reinsurance sectors. Even quite small increases in the intensity of major storms (hurricanes, typhoons, windstorms), as predicted by the latest climate
change science, could increase damage costs by at least two-‐thirds by the end of the century. The most extreme storms could become even more destructive, making insurance markets more volatile, as the cost of capital required covering such events increases.
The report is now used as a standard reference source by financial correspondents, insurance companies, and research institutions.
2000-‐2004 Strategic Planning Manager, Severn Trent Water Ltd (STW)
Responsibilities
� Integrating climate change into mainstream company decision making.
� Stakeholder management with EU, UK Government departments, the, Environment Agency (EA), local authorities, Regional Assemblies, Regional Development Agencies on all issues
relevant to climate change, strategic business planning and investment planning.
� Develop, implement, monitor and review investment and operational strategies for all water
and waste water activities. Responsible for all abstraction licensing, planning permission and related land-‐use consents, and supporting EIA and HIAs.
6
� Develop company’s position on UK Common Framework Methodology (released by the
Director General for Water Services OFWAT) for the maintenance of and investment in the
company’s assets.
� Advisor to the Company’s Board of Directors on emerging strategic issues, their impact on
business objectives, and strategic and project-‐level responses.
� Developing robust strategies to lead and support the company’s 5 year investment
programmes.
� Long-‐term water resource planning, resource optimisation and development, drought
contingency planning, demand forecasting and leakage control.
� Providing a sewerage and water modelling service for the Company for operational and
investment purposes.
� Preparation and submission of regulatory information for OFWAT, the Drinking Water
Inspectorate (DWI) and the EA.
� Development of STW's e-‐business strategy.
Achievements
� Further development of the company’s climate change strategy, commissioning numerous
research projects. Undertaking a comprehensive impacts review. Identifying priority areas
and developing investment and operational management responses with full financial analysis.
� Technical advisor to the Caribbean States (CPACC) on climate change. Development of a risk
assessment process to assess and manage the impacts of climate change on the Caribbean’s social, economic and environmental systems, strategies and projects.
� STW Project Manager for West of Scotland Water’s Asset Management Plan. This included a review of climate change impacts and the implications for capital and revenue expenditure.
� Director Midlands Environmental Business Club Ltd.
� Member of the Defra/UK Climate Impacts Programme Advisory Group.
� Member of the UK Government Advisory Committee on Business in the Environment (ACBE)
Sustainable Development Working Group advising on climate change and business and on the disclosure of forward looking statements on risks by companies.
� Member of the Professional Liaison Panel, De Montfort University, Leicester
� Member of the UK Institute of Chartered Accountants Environmental Steering Group providing specific guidance on the effect of climate change on business.
1976 – 2000 Waste Water and Environmental Strategies Manager, Planning and Environmental Assessment Manager, Regional Planning Manager, (all Severn Trent Water Ltd) Planning Liaison Officer, Severn Trent Water Authority
7
Responsibilities and achievements
� Provide a sewerage and water modelling service for the Company for operational and investment purposes.
� Preparation and submission of regulatory information for OFWAT, DWI and the EA.
� Strategy input into company strategic business plan for submission to industry regulator
(OFWAT).
� Responsible for all abstraction licensing, planning permission and related land-‐use consents, and supporting EIAs.
� Develop, implement, monitor and review investment and operational strategies for all waste water activities.
� Developed a GIS based cryptosporidium risk assessment meeting the requirements of the
1999 UK regulations.
� Development and implementation of a sludge management strategy guiding £60m capital
investment expenditure.
� Developed and implemented a nuisance management strategy for STW assets.
� Managed a project to produce an internal risk assessment methodology for land owned by
the Company which may fall within the scope of the Contaminated Land Regulations.
� Developed the use of an environmental management system to ISO 14001 for a major waste
water site, involving contaminated land issues and a waste management licence.
� Development of integrated climate change studies for the water industry.
� Project Manager for the West Midlands Climate Change Impact Study (part of the UK
Climate Impacts Programme, UKCIP) and project team member for the East Midlands Climate Change Impacts Study.
� Development of STW’s GIS-‐based system providing information on environmental issues,
site based information for project appraisal, design and construction, and external consultation management.
� Led the Company’s response to a Judicial Review by NGO examining the grant of planning
permission for the refurbishment of Ladybower Dam (review withdrawn).
� Developed a GIS based population and demand forecasting system using pioneering
techniques.
� Developed an environmental management system for a major construction site.
� Report on catchment management for Rand Water, South Africa.
� Chair STW’s Sustainable Development Focus Group.
� Develop, implement and communicated (internal and external) Company policy on
Infrastructure Charges.
8
� Population and demand forecasting inputs into Strategic Business Plans.
� Pioneered the use of legal agreements to secure contributions for the provision of new
infrastructure to meet the needs of development.
� Project manager for the first EIA undertaken by a UK water company.
� Produced STW/local authority 'Consultations Procedure' which was used as a template for
similar procedures used by the Environment Agency and other water companies.
� Manage and issue Land Drainage Act consents.
� Provide guidance to developers and local authorities on the provision of water and sewerage services for new development.
1974 – 1975 Planning Assistant, Lincoln City Council
Responsibilities and achievements
� Sandwich placement year from college. Land-‐use planning development control and
development plan work.
EDUCATION
Postgraduate Diploma Urban and Regional Planning (1980)
� Sheffield Polytechnic
B.Sc. (Hons) Urban Land Economics (1976)
� Sheffield Polytechnic
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
� Chartered Town Planner – Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI)
� Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (FRSA)
� Member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers
AWARDS
� 2001 Royal Town Planning Institute Sustainable Development
� 2000 Utility Week Awards 'Environment' (shortlist)
� 1999 Severn Trent Water Environment Awards
� 1998 Utility Week Awards ‘Outstanding Individual of the Year' (shortlist)
� 1997 Utility Week Awards 'Environment' (shortlist)
9
Selected publications and conference presentations
John has had many articles published in various professional and trade publications. He has presented at conferences throughout Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. Further details can be provided.
Boyd, R, Firth, J. Hunt, A. and Hutchins, A. (2005). ABI Project: The Financial Risks of Climate Change. Acclimatise and Metroeconomica, Southwell, UK.
Connell, R. and Firth, J. (2006). ESPACE Project: Analysis of partner actions. Acclimatise and Climate
Risk Management Limited, Southwell, UK.
Firth, J. and Colley, M. (2006). The Adaptation Tipping Point: Are UK Businesses Climate Proof? Acclimatise and UKCIP, Oxford.
Firth, J. and Hutchins, A. (2006). The Isle of Man Climate Change Scoping Study. Acclimatise, Southwell, UK.
Connell, R., Firth, J., Hutchins, A., and Shea, L. (2007). ABI Project: Insuring Our Future Climate: Thinking for Tomorrow, Today. Acclimatise and Futerra, Southwell, UK.
top related