“Net Zero is not a goal, it’s a deadline”
At the Recolight Net Zero Lighting Conference held on 29 April, Maria del Mar Rojas Europe Engagement Manager with The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) told delegates that net zero is not a goal, it’s a deadline.
Maria went on to explain how companies can get their targets verified by SBTi and provided details of the arrangements available for smaller businesses.
The conference also looked at forthcoming standards for achieving net zero with a presentation from Rahul Shah, Global Director, Built Environment, at BSI. Rahul gave attendees an overview of the key current and planned carbon reduction and net zero standards. Rob Allison Director of Auditel outlined how public procurement is evolving to drive adoption of net zero requirements in different parts of the public sector.
Mike Collett of Auditel provided delegates with practical advice on developing near term carbon reduction plans, including capital projects, process and procurement changes, and behavioural changes.
Irene Mazzei, Sustainability Lead at Stoane Lighting, and John Gorse, Country Lead for Public and Government Affairs at Signify gave insightful presentations on the challenges and opportunities that B Corp and Ecovadis certification can yield. A lively panel discussion focused on the benefits that companies obtain as they go through the process of implementing change to meet the requirements.
The day concluded with case studies from Mark Helm Quality Assurance and Lean Six Sigma Manager of Thorn Lighting, Daniel Lintell, Sustainability Manager at Triton Showers, and Andrew Mullen, Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs Specialist at Beko. All three gave tangible real world case studies of approaches taken to reduce reducing operational carbon, and the importance of collecting actionable data.
Commenting on the event, Nigel Harvey, CEO of Recolight highlighted key conference takeaways.
“At its simplest, to reduce our carbon emissions we must be in a cycle of Measure – Target – Reduce. We need to keep going round that cycle and then be transparent on the outcomes.
There is a real need for sharing between companies: of successes, failures and learning as we strive to decarbonise. Fundamentally, this is not a competition in which there will be winners and losers. Rather, it is a race where we are all on the same side. We are collectively successful or otherwise – but working together increases the likelihood of better outcomes.
Data is key to understanding, managing and reducing carbon. We should celebrate the “Data nerds” in our organisations who collect and process that data, which allows us to target the hotspots.”
Conference chair Ray Molony, editor of the Circular Lighting Report added
“Certifications are not so much a label for marketing purposes, more a framework and an expert guide for improving the fundamental processes of a business.”
Quotes from the speakers and delegates
“Accreditations are a vital part of companies’ paths toward a sustainable future. Regardless of which certification scheme you go for, any action taken toward engaging and empowering employees, as well as forwarding a sustainable supply chain and production line, is a step in the right direction. If you can start thinking within a sustainability framework, do it. If you can action it, do it, and educate your customers about what it takes to achieve it.”
Kael Gillam, Senior Associate at Hoare Lea
“Another Recolight event where the Lighting industry shows how much it has embraced, learned about and now engages positively in all matters regarding sustainability. We still have a long way to go but we have already come a long way since the first Recolight Circular Lighting Live just three years ago. A pleasure to have taken part as a speaker, panel member and audience member.”
John, Gorse, Signify Country Lead for Public & Government Affairs
“Regardless of the myriad of frameworks and acronyms in the industry, remember it all starts with good carbon management. Measure, target and reduce. You can decide what framework to align to, once you are on the journey. Science Based Targets are a great management tool to get the entire senior team engaged but they need to be validated.”
Rob Allison, Director, Auditel UK
“Recolight are in a unique position whereby they have access to other market segments, so can invite associated industries to provide their insight to the same topic. That’s great way to sanity check our progress and learn best practice from others.”
Simon Fisher, Director, F Mark Ltd
“Reiterate the mantra of measure, target, reduce!”
Gary Thornton, Director, Nulty
“A superb conference organised by Recolight. Great discussions and takeways about achieving Net Zero from within the lighting sector and beyond.”
Nick Revell, Managing Director, Philip Payne Limited
“Another inciteful event with good information on key sustainability topics.”
Martin Thompson, Technical Services Manager, Tridonic
The next Recolight conference is Circular Lighting Live on 25 September. Please save the date. Programme and tickets coming soon.
