The business case for investing in the natural environment

Charles BurtOlive

“the sustainability experts”www.consultolive.com

The business case for investing in the natural environment

Charles BurtOlive

the sustainability experts

Is it all just about £££££?

“Sustainable development”Sustainable development is one of those things

that everybody supports, but no-one knows what it means in practice.

“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland, Our common Future, UNEP, 1987)

.....sustainable economic growth???

What’s in it for me? (or what’s in it for them?)

The Triple Bottom Line

Securing the Future, 2005Guiding Principles:• Living within environmental limits;• Ensuring a strong healthy and just society;• Achieving a sustainable economy;• Promoting good governance;• Using sound science responsibly.

Shared Priorities:• Sustainable consumption and production;• Climate change and energy;• Promoting natural resources and enhancing

the environment;• Creating sustainable communities and a

fairer world.

Utilities....profit....or loss?

How things have changed!• Increased energy prices – they are expected to increase

significantly over the next few years.• Legislation from UK and Europe as governments attempt to

manage the climate change agenda.• Pressures from Government and the public as these

stakeholders seek to help the public sector lead by example on these issues.

• Public health impacts from climate change and increased insurance premiums due to extreme weather patterns.

• Because biodiversity can’t adapt fast enough to the man made rate of change.

Population Growth

Spot the coincidence…….

CO2 Concentration

Total GDP

Number of Extinctions

Loss of Rainforest

1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2050

YearSource: IPCC

Government procurement strategy• 2005 – Securing the Future• 2006 – Procuring the Future• 2007 – UK Sustainable Procurement Action Plan• 2007 – Policy Framework• 2010 – Defra supports the Marrakech Task Force

methodology

What and how the Government buys, impacts the market…

Public Sector spend in 2009 was over £250 billion a year… Enough to drive significant changes and to move marketsNB – the need to walk the walk and talk the talk!– …set the example– …demonstrate best practice– …influence the supply chain – …foster innovation and productivity

A new goal…“… using procurement/supply to support wider social, economic and environmental objectives, in ways that offer real long-term benefits…”

Sir Neville SimmsChairman, Sustainable Procurement Task Force (2006)

Purchasing sustainable products

We have a lot to be grateful for

We all have a choice...

Thank you for listening