After reflecting on all the discussion from the event, it is easy to come away with the perspective that with so many ways of helping the possibilities are nearly endless. Along with this hope, however, may come confusion from companies trying to do more with their own climate response initiatives, but unsure of where to start. In listening to participants sharing thoughts about what they got out of the event and watching the presentations and dialogues, several key themes emerged out of the three day event. Below is a wrap up of the event and some central themes that may offer a useful summary for those looking to plan or do more within their own organizations for climate response. Perhaps it will also serve as a look forward at the next Corporate Climate Response event in Chicago later this year:

1. Reinventing Waste - Several of the best ideas from the event centered around reinventing the idea of what we call “waste” and considering it more in terms of “byproducts.” This idea was echoed through a discussion of heat and power and the insight that the amount of heat generated through transport in the UK is nearly equivalent to the amount of heat required to supply for current demand. The challenge is how to get it from one place to the other.
2. Low Carbon Does Not Equal Low Fat - A spirited discussion ensued on the topic of whether consumers may believe that simply because food products are farmed, packaged and shipped in an environmentally friendly way - they are automatically healthier. This, of course, is not true - but the smart marketers may see an opportunity in this. Whether or not Grove Mill’s zero carbon wine tasted sweeter or cleaner is not the point. In marketing where you are selling the story, the low carbon story is becoming more and more appealing to consumers.
3. Carbon Credits Are Misunderstood - This was a nearly universal theme that was shared by most panelists, speakers and even attendees. Consumers do not understand carbon credits as they work today, and therefore are as likely to see them as a “get out of jail free” card for companies, as we they are to see it as a beneficial effort for funding environmentally friendly and sustainable projects. The only solution is to offer more transparency to consumers about what these carbon credits actually buy. The credits may be virtual in nature, but seeing images of a carbon farm that is funded by these credits is very real. The industry must do a better job of demonstrating these efforts to counter the skepticism from consumers (and from much of the media).
4. Budget Is Not A Barrier- Perhaps the most encouraging part of the entire discussion was the refrain repeated from many speakers about how getting approval for major capital expenditures need not be the only way to affect change. The Church of England is advocating for each parish to go through a checklist and make changes to save energy and therefore saving money. Marks & Spencer is saving millions of pounds by switching from curved fridges in certain store sections to straight fridges. BT is working to change an outdated perception about the required level of cooling in datacenters. Each of these are low cost efforts in terms of expenses, but potentially yield big savings and impact on the environment.

At the end of the entire event, one is left with a sense of hope that there is much businesses can do without the necessity of spending huge amounts of money to make a change in their current processes. Everyone is aiming for a target of reduction from 30% to 50% of current levels … which, if anything, simply demonstrates how much wastage there is in the system that we have the opportunity to change. Climate change initiatives do not have to be painful or expensive. They simply need to be made a priority.

Anne-Marie Warris, LRQA, gives a powerful statistic:

“96% of consumers use environmental considerations in marking purchasing decisions”

Recent research conducted with Consumers International and AccountAbility shows:
• Two thirds of consumers agree everyone needs to take more responsibility for their own personal contribution to global warming
• Two thirds of consumers believe organisations need to take global warming more seriously
• 60% of consumers want companies to provide more infomation at point of sale
• 70% of consumers want claims to be made by an independent party

Why should companies bother? Carbon labelling will:
- encourage manufacturing and supply chains
- increase environmental standard
- provide a competitive advantage

Labelling will happen and when it does, it will encourage behaviour change. The future is… better information and a more informed, albeit complex, choice.

Rowland Hill from Marks and Spencer talked about options to improve product sustainability. Carbon labelling leads the discussion, but Rowland reminds us there are other options:
• Fiscal interventions (e.g. car tax)
• Market editing (e.g. light bulbs)
• Lifestyle education (e.g. recycle)

According to Euan Murray, The Carbon Trust, its a two stage process involving measurement and communication/education, which is also critical to underpin by credible analysis.

Day 3 - Operational Response

An interesting session with case studies from Tesco and Whole Foods and panel discussion including John Lewis & Waitrose. Store design, global environmental ethos, and a whole lot more….

James Dorling, Development Manager at Tesco talked about Tesco’s efforts to create the world’s most environmentally friendly store. The Wick store is leading the way with new design, construction and operational methods. It has wind turbines, timber frames / walls, reduced roof heights, rainwater harvesting, water-cooled refrigeration, and uses sustainable technologies and on site construction methods. Shrewsbury has the largest installation of natural refrigeration, and the ‘sexy’ petrol station has natural light in the kiosk and main forecourt. Even with these exciting developments, James states their journey has just begun. Tesco’s target is to reduce CO2 equivalent emissions from existing buildings worldwide by at least 50% by 2020. They are introducing a toolkit which will give a balanced view of how the stores are doing and a repeatable store format. In terms of products, Tesco has 300 product lines (low carbon/environmental friendly) identified to get onto their shelves. Initially homeware, followed by food, health and beauty, and clothing. James added that customers have been ahead in making environmental demands and retailers need to reflect the demands.

According to Kathy Loftus, National energy Manager at Whole Foods, ‘information and innovation’ are both key for Whole Foods. The company offers fact based information for customers enabling them to make an informed choice. Whole Foods take a holistic approach – from engineers to equipment selection. Initiatives include bulk foods, ‘5% days’ supporting local non profit environmental organisations in regions where Whole Foods do business, waste cooking oil, bio-diesel, cool roofs, LEDs (improved technology), onsite renewable sources, recycled materials and rain water harvesting. A lot of effort is put into understanding the make up of the carbon footprint. Electricity (mainly refrigeration) is a big part of that at 45%.

Bill Wright, Corporate Energy and Environment Manager, John Lewis and Waitrose explained that the company is taking CSR seriously. It markets its green creds and CSR, gives open declarations on energy efficiency, and its sustainable building policy is available on the website. The company is looking at all aspects of renewable technology and is 20% more efficient than 4 years ago.

Can you make supermarkets sustainable?
Waitrose only build in town centre locations. Whole Foods use existing, vacant building spaces. Internet shopping has to play a role. Local delivery is taking off and driving new markets for Waitrose (Ocado). Tesco.com is making an even greater impact with the use of electronic vans.

Yesterday during an afternoon session, Jack Groh, Environmental Manager at the NFL Environmental gave an engaging presentation about the NFL’s environmental policy. He may seem like an odd choice to speak at an event like this, and the National Football League may seem like an even odder choice to be considered a leader in environmental issues - but sitting through a 30 minute presentation about all the efforts underway at the NFL - one cannot help but be left not only with a sense of awe at all the NFL has been doing, but also that most people have never heard about all these efforts. Interestingly, one of the first points that Groh made in his presentation was how this is not a new program at the NFL. The environmental program has been going for 15 years - and when you think about their efforts in terms of this timeframe, seeing the organization as a leader in environmental policy no longer seems like a hard claim to believe.

The greatest opportunity for the NFL to lead is in the Super Bowl, which Groh points to as the greenest single day sports event in the world (not to compete with the Olympics which takes place over several weeks). As evidence, he took the audience through a timeline of efforts from the NFL starting with Super Bowl XXVII in Pasadena (1993) with a pilot recycling program. At the time, there were no large scale recycling programs and no precedent. From these humble beginnings, Groh shared that this year they are on track to be using all recycled products for plates, cups, forks, etc. at this year’s Super Bowl. The program, however, is far broader than just recycling. You can read a full wrap up of all the efforts the NFL implemented around last year’s support to support support their claim of the event as the “greenest.”

At the end of the day, Groh explains that the NFL’s Environmental Policy is about legacy - a big word at the NFL. It comes down to answer the question of what you will leave behind. The NFL’s efforts have served as a model for other event planners, last year they saved nearly 100 metric tonnes of CO2 and Groh himself has inspired other large organizations to get greener, including the US military. When it comes to making an effect and leaving a strong legacy, the NFL is a model citizen worth copying.