John Firth has extensive experience of integrating climate change into decision making and risk management processes and expertise in the impacts of climate change on the business and financial communities. John is currently working with several banks and pension funds advising on lending and investment risks, with the insurance industry and with some of the world's largest oil and gas companies at strategic and project levels. He worked for over 25 years in the water industry and advises the UK Government as a member of the UK Climate Impacts Programme Advisory Group.

Tell us about some of the key aims of Acclimatise.

"The focus of our work is in helping businesses and governments understand that whatever we do on reducing emissions, energy management, reducing carbon footprints, we will still have to live with a changing climate. The Stern Inquiry report, to which we made a number of contributions, has a clear message: 'Adaptation is the only response available for the climate change impacts that will occur over the next several decades before mitigation measures can have an effect.''

Which of your "green" achievements are you proudest of?

"Working as an advisor to the Caribbean States and helping them develop a risk assessment methodology to understand the action they need to take to adapt to climate change. The Caribbean States have minimal impacts on global emissions levels. The biggest risks they face are due to the climatic changes that are already underway. Loss of the coral reefs, increasing sea levels, saline intrusion of water resources and changing climatic conditions spell potential economic collapse for many countries and particularly those that depend on agriculture and tourism."

What are the most commonly missing ingredients of cross sector low carbon initiatives?

"I am very concerned that many initiatives have a fundamental flaw using historic climate data as a basis for design. Work undertaken by UKCIP, Arup and the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) demonstrated clearly that modern 'sustainable' buildings that aren't designed for the climate they and their users will experience will fail against their future emissions and energy efficiency targets. Most buildings and infrastructure projects are still being designed against historic climate data, they will be unable to cope with increasing ambient air temperatures and will overheat. The missing ingredient of a low carbon initiative is to make it sustainable throughout its lifetime rather than just at the point of design."

What are the biggest challenges you face in your roles and how do you deal with them?

"The biggest challenge for our clients is in understanding that carbon neutral is not climate proof. Many organisations believe that if they take appropriate action to reduce their emissions and head towards carbon neutrality then the climate change box is ticked. It's not - even if we switch off all the lights tomorrow morning we are still faced with at least another 40 plus years of increasing temperatures and many decades of sea-level rise. Potentially disastrous climate change is already underway and we have to adapt to the consequences. Mitigation on its own will not prevent heat waves in Europe becoming every other year events by the 2040s."

Are UK Government climate change targets realistic?

" - Not unless we see comprehensive and integrated prescriptive regulation, fiscal incentives and taxes and statutory obligations. We should also stop singling out individual sectors of society and the economy for pariah treatment."

What in your opinion is the most viable, long term, sustainable energy solution?

"I think we are deluding ourselves if we think that there is a single, most viable, long term solution. Within the timescale we have left to secure significant emissions reductions, we have to accept that a mixed basket of energy sources is required which together provide a lower carbon footprint. It's also important that these energy sources are integrated, to allow the most effective and efficient sources to be operated during peak demand periods. We can't rule out any energy source or wait for technological breakthroughs. We have to use the technology we have.

"The first step is to reduce our need for energy by becoming more energy efficient and start by not wasting so much! With this in mind we really have to get to grips with improving the efficiency of our existing buildings."

How do you encourage the public, customers and staff to become more environmentally conscious?

"Don't waste time and resources trying to persuade sceptics and 'flat-earthers!' Consumer surveys consistently identify a large proportion of the public in the 'not sure' group. This is where the effort should be made. If we are talking about business, then:

1. Take a pragmatic risk management approach, quantify the likelihood and consequences for business objectives, understand the costs and benefits and make a business case.
2. Emphasise that failure to assess and manage risk and every decision taken without due analysis may create a bottom-line and legal liability. This goes right to the heart of corporate governance and the fiduciary responsibilities every business owes its investors.
3. Don't talk about climate change as an environmental issue. The real value of the Stern Inquiry was to transfer climate change onto the social, economic and political agenda - that's where it belongs; it's not the preserve of those involved in CSR but sits firmly with the CEO, COO and the Finance Director. "

What emerging trends do you predict in the realm of carbon reduction and sustainability?

"We need to be very careful about corporate and government 'greenwash' and the risk of a consumer reaction. I am particularly concerned that carbon offsetting is being marketed as an answer, when it should be a measure of last resort."

What future initiatives are you planning?

"Early next year we will be issuing a new report for the Carbon Disclosure Project (http://www.cdproject.net/) following an analysis of this year's responses by UK FTSE350 companies. This will build on the very successful report we issued last year."

What advice would you give to someone starting out in a similar role to yours?

"Stick to the facts. Think laterally."

Best Practice Tips

Please visit the Forum here and share a tip that you have for organisations to reduce their carbon emissions. Often the very simplest ideas can have the greatest effect:

• "Be careful not to rely too heavily on carbon offsetting. Carbon offset your unavoidable emissions but still be aware of keeping your emissions to a minimum where possible"
  ( Jonny Goldstone, Director, Green Tomato Cars)
  

• "There is a business case for introducing automated lighting systems in every warehouse similar to ours throughout the country. In our case, the project paid for itself within nine months"
  (Marie Nevin, Facilities Manager, UniChem)