'Don't let environmental policies fall victim to the recession' warns BT Sustainability expert
Green ICT can save companies money and help save the environment
Speaking in Dublin, today, Dr. Chris Tuppen, Chief Sustainability Officer BT, urged businesses to maintain their green 'momentum'. Environmental initiatives and sustainability must remain firmly on the business agenda in spite of tough trading conditions.
The realisation of Ireland's pre-recession green ambitions is fundamental to Ireland's longer term economic recovery. Dr. Chris Tuppen, who was named one of the 50 people who could save the planet from climatic disaster by a special Guardian newspaper panel, was speaking at an Irish Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change Members Event today. He recounted his experience of the Copenhagen Summit and called on European governments to maintain their leadership and take robust action on climate change that will help create a smarter, more competitive economy and deliver new high quality jobs, Dr. Tuppen believes that taking such an approach would set Ireland on a path to green recovery and establish low carbon prosperity.
He said, 'It is essential that the environment doesn't become a victim of the recession. I would encourage the public sector and businesses to get a thorough understanding of the importance of implementing environmental policies which will contribute to achieving Ireland's green targets. Businesses should not ignore or overlook the potential of sustainability initiatives and green ICT as a vehicle to delivering cost efficiencies.'
A recent study commissioned by Sustainable Energy Ireland, (SEI) estimates that the commercial sector could save up to 25 per cent of its current energy use through investment in 'economically viable efficiency opportunities'*, so that businesses can implement changes that will benefit the environment and their bottom line. BT provides its customers with the latest remote working technology; including Teleconferencing and safe secure remote network access. Dr. Tuppen continued, 'I believe that green ICT will be an intrinsic part of the low carbon future.'
Not only does BT offer these solutions to its customer, but through their implementation within its own organisation BT significantly reduced carbon emissions and the impact on the environment. For example, within BT group, Teleconferencing has eliminated the annual need for over 717,000 face-to-face meetings leading to savings of over €296 million and 53,000 tonnes CO2a year. BT Group's 11,600 home workers save the company almost €104 million a year in accommodation costs and reduce carbon footprint of office estate smarter working practices.
The company's Ireland operation was one of the first of all BT's worldwide operating divisions to receive the international environmental management standard ISO14001 in 2008.
BT is also a member of 'The Irish Corporate Leaders Group On Climate Change', which is an independent body established in association with BiTC Ireland and Friends of the Earth. The group currently has 12 member companies including Arup Consulting Engineers, Bewley's, Bord na Móna, BT, Diageo, Intel, KPMG, NTR, PwC, Siemens, Zurich and Vodafone and in October 09 BT's CEO in Ireland, Chris Clark, was part of the delegation to present Ireland's first Communiqué on Climate Change to An Taoiseach.
Notes to editor
About Chris Tuppen, Chief Sustainability Officer, BT Group
As Chief Sustainability Officer, Chris Tuppen is responsible for all aspects of BT's sustainability strategy and issues. He frequently engages with customers, investors, regulators and other strategic stakeholders, and is the focal point for BT's work as a sustainability partner to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In parallel to this extensive role, Chris continues to represent BT on a number of prominent bodies. He has served on the boards of CSR Europe and of the US charity, Business for Social Responsibility. He co-chaired the Global Reporting Initiative's measurement working group and chaired the Global e-Sustainability Initiative and the European Telecommunication Network Operators Association's environmental working group.
Chris was also co-editor of SMART 2020, a report that looked at how, where and to what effect ICT could be used to enable a low carbon economy.
Currently, Chris is a member of the Executive Board of the Prince of Wales' Accounting for Sustainability Forum and a director of the Aldersgate Group.
In January 2008, Chris was named by a special Guardian newspaper panel as one of the 50 people who could save the planet from climatic disaster. Others named in the list included Nobel laureate Al Gore and the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel.
*https://www.sei.ie/Publications/Your_Business_Publications/SEI-PoO-_EnergyInBusiness.pdf
