Charles Lewington, Chief Executive, Hanover Group
At Hanover, we speak often about the need for ‘uncommon sense’ in uncertain times such as these. The path towards Net Zero may seem lengthy but business planning must start now, with companies and governments taking an integrated approach from the very beginning to ensure that they are on track to meet targets. Grassroots pressure for business to step up its role in addressing major environmental challenges is growing globally. Technological innovations to decarbonise product design and manufacturing are ever closer to commercialisation, with the potential to revolutionise multiple industries. Climate issues are firmly in the public consciousness. In Greta Thunberg, a new generation has found an inspiring environmental leader, while mass participation in Extinction Rebellion protests and climate marches has spurred hundreds of public bodies to declare a Climate Emergency. The European Union has an ambition to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Seven countries, including the UK, have set legally binding Net Zero emissions targets, while another 110 governments are debating adoption. Meeting Net Zero will mean unravelling a hugely complex web of policy levers across all sectors - well beyond the ‘usual suspects’ of just energy and transport. The debate on responding to the threat of climate change is not a new one. There will almost certainly be reference to it within every corporate strategy. Yet the speed of transition required for 2050 – or sooner – means doing the minimum on sustainability will rapidly see companies shut out of markets. There is no silver bullet to solving the climate challenge. The plethora of technological solutions breeds uncertainty on where the winners lie, and governments continue to wrestle with preferred decarbonisation pathways.
For business, sharing expertise, modelling and consumer views with decision-makers is vital to ensure that future opportunities can help shape the policy framework. The best business and communications strategies will be informed not just by how competitors are responding, but by cross-sector knowledge to forge positive partnerships, enabling campaigns with broader reach, as well as insight on genuine technological progress.
In a world of savvy consumers, the public must be engaged whilst shifting gear on environmental issues. Customers expect products and services to be high quality, reasonably priced, and environmentally sound, with no impact on their first two demands. In a world where Net Zero ambition is increasingly normalised, branding and engagement with customers must be meaningful and must stand out. The days of greenwashing are thankfully behind us. Having an undeliverable company target to gain a near-term headline won’t cut it, as our polling shows. Developing a team that understands and buys into your brand vision is the only way to drive whole company change – a point reflected in so many of the client case studies within this report. Building these issues into your purpose and culture creates a foundation for future innovation. Trusting your people to be entrepreneurial in the face of major change is the best way to adapt and thrive in periods of transition – such as that presented by Net Zero.
Our team are passionate about providing the insight, expertise and counsel to help inspire and transform communications to create market-leading sustainable businesses.
The challenges are complex, and no one has all the solutions yet. But as drivers of innovation, and as drivers of our economy, businesses must play a key role, taking responsibility, leading the debate and driving their purpose. To ensure change, our businesses need to be that change.
Charles Lewington Chief Executive, Hanover Group
