26/03/2010

By Kathy Jane Hopkin

Climate change is arguably the greatest challenge facing humanity, presenting massive risks to governments, economies and infrastructures as well as individual industries, businesses and communities.
An increasing global temperature heightens the risk of extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, droughts, heat waves and forest fires. The human and economic costs are massive, as evidenced in New Orleans when hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005.
The human race is effectively experimenting with the planet's climate. The rate of change of CO2 in the atmosphere over the past 50 years, and the resulting rise in temperatures is unprecedented. Such swift changes mean greater unpredictability for damaging extreme weather events, as past records prove of limited value and the scientific community relies more on climate models to predict future patterns.
Tackling climate change ranks high on the political agenda, particularly after the relative failure of the Copenhagen climate talks. A major stumbling block at the conference was long-standing disagreements between developed and developing nations over historical responsibility for emissions.
While developed countries are predominantly responsible for past emissions and resulting temperature rises, emerging countries such as China and India are poised to overtake. Developing countries therefore resisted signing a deal on emissions cuts without serious funding from richer countries, while the US and other superpowers are unwilling to commit to reductions unless emerging countries do likewise.
The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997, was not ratified until 2005 and is widely regarded as a failure. As the commitment period of this protocol is due to expire in 2012, such delays are not an option for securing the next global agreement on climate change, which must set legally binding targets.
The UK is among global leaders in making commitments to deal with the issue, and was first to pass a Climate Change Bill in 2008, yet politicians are reluctant to tackle the sensitive issue of securing cuts in domestic emissions. While legislation focuses on Britain's fossil-fuel industries, the public sector and other businesses, there is little to curb the carbon-intensive lifestyles of its citizens.
Personal carbon emissions are created by the energy used to heat their homes, run cars and motorcycles, and travel by plane. They also include emissions created in the growth, packaging and shipping of foods, along with other consumer products. These types of emissions constitute about 44% of the UK total, with the annual carbon footprint of the typical Briton around 10 tonnes of CO2.

The tipping point
Most climate scientists agree that the average global temperature rise must be kept below 2.0oC in order to prevent catastrophic climate change. It is estimated that to remain within this limit, personal emissions would have to be no more than one tonne of CO2 per person, per year, globally. Clearly, the UK still falls far short of this target.
To guarantee reductions, the UK government would have to legislate to enforce mandatory cuts in personal carbon emissions - a tricky proposition. Various options have been suggested as to how this is accomplished, from a form of carbon taxation to rationing. None are politically popular and all would be expensive, so government efforts have stalled. While significant investments have been made in promoting energy efficiency and renewable alternatives for electricity generation, any assumption that these alone will deliver efficient emissions reductions is mistaken. This is little sign that the public or industry is motivated to accept reductions based solely on information provision and grants.
Nonetheless, many concerned Britons are willing to voluntarily manage and reduce their own carbon footprint. Several grassroots Carbon Reduction Action Groups (CRAGs) have been formed since 2006. Members aim to limit their personal emissions, and reduce them year on year, by changing lifestyle choices such as home heating, travel habits and diet.
Studies of these groups indicate that substantial and sustained carbon reductions are achieved, primarily through behavioural change. They also appear to promote peer-to-peer learning and foster a sense of solidarity. Members feel they make a more significant difference collectively than they would individually.
Successful as these groups are, they attract relatively few citizens willing to commit to carbon savings and change their lifestyles and behaviours. While 60% of UK and US citizens agree that individuals should take responsibility for their own contribution to climate change, few feel motivated or empowered enough to act.

The employer's role
This is where employers have a role to play. Small groups can make significant carbon savings, but are typically regarded as inaccessible by the public. However, businesses have the potential to engage with employees and their families, presenting a valuable opportunity for them to set up carbon reduction groups focusing on personal emissions and to invite staff to join. Such schemes can only improve corporate reputations, as tackling climate change and other green issues grows in importance on the political agenda and influences business decisions.
If a supportive framework for a carbon reduction group is established by the company, it can create a strong sense of community and unity within the workforce. Following the lead set by voluntary groups can ensure this is achieved - success derives from their small size, and in offering high levels of support to members. Companies wishing to engage the workforce in reducing their personal emissions must ensure their schemes have smaller groups and networks within them, to replicate that same support. These networks can be managed by introducing pioneers or 'green champions' responsible for different departments, which could then compete in maximising energy savings.
A further incentive for business is the potential improvements to employees' well-being. Studies have found that individuals making lifestyle changes to reduce their personal carbon footprint reap other benefits. Cycling or walking to work not only reduces carbon emissions, but also improves the employee's health, as well as saving them money. Case studies also evidence the mental health benefits of a low carbon lifestyle. These individuals are satisfied in knowing that they are following a sustainable lifestyle whose environmental impact is as low as possible, while the support networks provide a greater sense of community.
Businesses can utilise the many online resources available that advise how personal carbon footprints can be reduced. The government's Act on CO2 website offers a carbon foot-print calculator, which can be re-visited once lifestyle changes are implemented. The Carbon Trust (www.carbontrust.co.uk) and British Gas Energy 360 (www.energy360.co.uk) also offer tailored advice and support to businesses. In addition, The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRed) (www.cred-uk.org) and the 10:10 Campaign (www.1010uk.org) allow both companies and individuals to sign up and commit to emissions, as well as offering advice.
Companies can go further by offering loans for the purchase of bicycles, with payments automatically deducted from wages. Where private vehicle use is unavoidable, car share schemes can be arranged within the workplace. Businesses can encourage staff to hold video calls and conferences, rather than delegates travelling to events. Habitual office behaviour can be challenged, such as leaving copiers and printers on overnight, or having lights permanently on in toilets and corridors. A greater conscientiousness from these changes in social norms will inevitably transfer to employees' home lives. In addition, social groups to encourage gardening, sewing and other environmental themes can be established
through the workplace, with family members and friends made welcome in order to reach a wider audience and increase levels of engagement.
Ultimately, the key to success is building a sense of community and working together so the individual's behaviour matters - as does the knowledge that colleagues are sharing in the effort.

Kathy Jane Hopkin, who holds an MSc in climate change, works for the West Midlands Regional Assembly on a graduate internship and is involved with several local environmental action groups