Green issues on agenda at business conference

LEADING academics and figures from the energy and manufacturing industries gathered at Aston University in Birmingham to debate the impact green issues will have on business.

Among the subjects under discussion were the politics of climate change, Eruope’s green agenda and whether low carbon energy systems were compatible with sustainable production.

At the latter session, Dr Brian Tilley from energy company E.ON discussed how it was striving to become greener while at the same time balancing the financial needs of the company and its investors.

He told delegates that E.ON was facing something called the ‘Energy Trilemma’ with three conflicting issues – climate change concerns, affordability of energy and the security of supply.

“We believe that in addressing these three issues, renewable energy has a role to play in it,” he said.

“Renewables make up 10% of our mix globally, most of which is hydro energy. By 2030, we are looking at achieving 30% of renewable energies.

“In trying to hit Government targets, that by 2020 30% of electricity has to come from renewables, wind is the only scalable technology we have today.

“If we are going to have any chance of hitting these targets, wind is our only hope. The UK energy mix will have to shift considerably to meet its energy targets.

“But £500bn in investment is needed between now and 2020 to provide investors with the confidence in the technologies.”

Also speaking at the session was Dr Naresh Kumar, head of environmental strategy at Rolls Royce (right).

He told delegates that the company spent nearly 10% of its annual budget on research and development, which equated to £864m last year.

“Most of it goes on improving the environmental efficiency of our products,” he said.

“Over the last 10 years we have reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by 36% yet our turnover has more than doubled.”

Also speaking at the session were David Bailey, professor of international business strategy at Coventry University, Jonathan Guthrie of the Financial Times and Warwick and Leamington MP Chris White.

Mr White said that £200bn was needed in investment to make the green agenda work in the business environment.