The Livery Climate Action Group’s second Annual Conference took place on Monday 3rd July 2023 at Merchant Taylors’ Hall on the theme of BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE AND ACTION.
Over 120 delegates from over 50 Livery Companies attended.
INTRODUCTION – Alderman Alison Gowman
Alison welcomed all to the Annual Conference of the fastest growing and largest pan-Livery Group. 85 Livery Companies have signed up as members of LCAG, a mutual-help group designed to support Companies as they prepare their responses to Climate Change. LCAG does not direct or dictate but aims to amplify what Liveries are already doing and ensure good practice and excellent ideas can be shared widely. It acknowledges that Liveries want to move at their own pace – but those that have taken significant steps are finding it rewarding in terms of engagement of their members and attracting new members; in reputation and in the alignment with their craft, trade and profession or their other affiliates. The City of London Corporation has set the ambition to be net zero by 2040 for all the elements of its value chain and to ensure that the businesses and organisations in the Square Mile match that. We can thereby show how we can adapt and set our targets and assist in innovating to get there. The Livery’s grasp of the societal consequences and the ability to create solutions will be a key part in purposing ourselves for the future. The Liveries jointly or severally should be looking further forward as to what they can do.
When Livery Companies join LCAG they are asked
- Whether they have a climate action plan
- whether their investments achieve ESG and sustainability objectives
Around half are working on a Climate Action Plan and two-thirds are moving towards ESG investment strategies. This is good progress, but we need to move faster with actions, not words.
WHAT CAN THE LONDON CLIMATE ACTION PLAN LEARN FROM OTHER CITIES – Colin Hutchison, Managing Director, Egis
Colin is based in Paris and compared the Climate Responses of Paris and London. Both cities need to reduce emissions from buildings and transport. Paris is encouraging new buildings to have less embodied carbon, including high-rise timber, accepting the challenge of fire resistance. For the Brunescan development in the centre of Paris, all buildings had to achieve reductions in carbon emissions and in embodied carbon. The Montparnasse Tower was redesigned to reduce embodied carbon.
Emissions from transport are being reduced by car-pooling, teleworking, modal shift to other types of transport, and electric cars. Space is needed on the periphery of the city for forests, photovoltaic cells and wind turbines. Behavioural change is required to persuade people to reduce emissions, irrespective of whether they are economically privileged or disadvantaged.
BREAKOUT WORKSTREAM 1 – CREATING A SMART, SUSTAINABLE AND EFFICIENT BUILDING USING REAL TIME DATA – Paul Sheedy, Unifli.id
Solutions are available that will make big impacts. Rather than keeping calm and carrying on as usual, it is best to panic now and make changes quickly. However, one must measure the existing situation before any changes. Most buildings are using too much energy. Often, an automated Building Management System is needed, together with collaboration from those working in a building. If all name badges have microchips, the BMS system can work out how many people are where in the building and adjust heating and lighting accordingly. Typically now, only 2% of office staff work from their office on Fridays. LED lights should be standard. Changing the lights in the core of a building can give huge savings.
Livery Halls use lots of carbon. Usually, double glazing is not possible in a listed Livery Hall. Typically, toilets are provided for a ratio of male to female of 90% to 10%, which is not the case today.
Artificial Intelligence and weather forecasts can be used to forecast energy needs and optimise provision.
BREAKOUT WORKSTREAM 2 – FUNDAMENTALS OF THE FUTURE; TIME TO ACT – Tom Willcock, Hollis
Tom began with the analogy of a hole in the roof. Failing to fix it immediately will inevitably lead to far more damage and more costly repairs. We can’t afford to spend time debating definitions and metrics. 40% of GHG emissions comes from Real Estate but we are hesitating to respond to the greatest existential threat facing the planet, even in small ways. And if we don’t think small things can’t make a difference, we should try sleeping with a mosquito in the room! Advisers can help clients decarbonise – the “Carbon handprint” and adaptation of existing buildings is key – 80% of them will still be in use in 2050. Commercial buildings may require to be B-rated in Energy Performance Certificates by 2030 – ie 1740 working days away. Getting to smarter Building Management Systems and switching things off when not required could save 20% to 30% – with carbon and cost benefits. Tom’s talk was a powerful call to action, now.
DECARBONISING PUBLIC & PRIVATE SECTOR BUILDINGS THOUGH RETROFIT– Bekir Andrews, Wates Group; Jon Moorhouse, Constructive Thinking Studio; Tim Freeman, Energy Specifics
The proposed amendment “Part Z “of the Building Regulations outlines requirements on the assessment of whole life carbon emissions, and limiting of embodied emissions. To let a property, it needs to have an EPC score of E or better.
Energy efficiency may be as important as an EPC rating. There is little data on old buildings. Energy efficiency measures may have unintended consequence. Breathable insulation is needed. Carpets are good insulators.
Typically, the parties involved in a retrofit project include the contractor, and the lead retrofit designer. A LIDAR scan has been taken of Merchant Taylors’ Hall to build understanding of heat loss and to form the basis for a Smart BIM model. Maintenance plans have been prepared that takes account of energy savings and changing asset condition. Knowledge and data of the past is key to the future. Merchant Taylors’ Hall is deceptively younger than it looks having been reconstructed after damage during the blitz and reopened in 1959.
BUILDINGS OF THE FUTURE: LEVERAGING DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FOR ENHANCED ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY – Matt Wallace of Schneider Electric
We have an energy crisis and a climate crisis. Energy prices are volatile. Energy supplies need to be replaced to achieve a low carbon, all-electric supply. The strategy needs to be to digitise all data, connect everything in an internet of things, then decarbonise. Data needed include the condition and status of assets. About 45% of energy supplied to buildings is wasted, especially HVAC.
Issues to be considered for retrofit of building include power and energy, space management, asset health, occupants, ambience, planned preventative maintenance, which can be summarised as “Integrated Workplace Management”.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Emma Howard Boyd CBE, introduced by Dame Fiona Woolf
Emma Howard Boyd chairs the Green Finance Institute and the London Climate Resilience Review instigated by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. For that review, there is a call for evidence until September. All are encouraged to take part. She noted that last week, the President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde said: “Record-breaking droughts, heatwaves and floods are already plaguing the world. They are inflicting suffering and damage on every continent and serve as a mere glimpse into the future… Not only is this a matter of justice for future generations, it is also undoubtedly a matter of justice and responsibility for today’s.”
A recent article in the Financial Times noted how the EU is considering how to regulate “geo-engineering[1]”, noting that even if we wanted to use such technology to fight climate change – it won’t be significantly scalable anytime soon. The world is facing a climate crisis already. The UK experienced big impacts from a heat wave of 40⁰C in 2022. Next time it could be for more than two days with serious thunderstorms. Sea levels in the Thames could rise by over a metre by 2100. London already benefits having a tree canopy shading 21% of its land area.
All of London is in a climate fix. People on low incomes are disproportionately affected, especially those living in basements. Energy from fossil fuels is expensive. The UK is not a world leader on climate change but should strive to be one. Emma praised the Livery Companies who are making plans and publishing them. She urged the Liveries and businesses to respond to the call for evidence for the Review she is leading.
Emma concluded by encouraging us to consider what we would like to achieve by LCAG’s next conference in 2024.
[1] “Geo-engineering” being the use of technology to manipulate the weather to fight climate change such as sunshades in space; spraying aerosols for cloud seeding.
BREAK-OUT WORKSTREAM 1 – TRANSPORT IN THE CITY OF THE FUTURE – Andy Miles, AS Consulting
There are changes in types of vehicles used for deliveries and how items are delivered. There is a need to think differently. For example, customers should think when items are needed, rather than just ask for delivery the next day. In some areas the number of delivery vans could be reduced by agglomeration of deliveries into maybe two days per week for non-perishable items. Consolidation of deliveries from supermarkets could reduce car journeys. In some areas small electric vehicles or pedal power may be used. Waterways may be used for bulk freight.
BREAK-OUT WORKSTREAM 2 – FOOD SUSTAINABILITY AND HEALTHY EATING – Peter Gladwin, Local & Wild
Peter drew comparisons between the wine trade in England and other wine-producing countries. In England, it being a fairly new industry, has adopted much more sustainable methods including growing other crops like mustard between the rows and grazing livestock along the same paths for fertilisation, thereby achieving three goals at the same time. This sort of frugal efficiency is a great example to all industries to maximise output, cut waste and achieve true circularity.
Peter also reminded us that beef production has something like 15 times the carbon footprint of poultry but still redeems itself by the degree to which herds fertilise the soil. The lesson there being not to throw the baby out with the bath water. He was an advocate of moderation in all things.
It was a very informative and thought-provoking session. English wine may be pricey, but Peter’s mantra of eat local, produce in season, meat in moderation and demand reductions in waste and packing should be considered seriously.
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE AND ACTION – Plenary session chaired by Maggie Berry, Heart of the City
There was a wide-ranging discussion including:
- Heart of the City’s 12 month funded support to SMEs, charities and Livery Companies
- Why do some organisations still offer bottled water at meals when tap water is fine
- London’s parks give some resilience whereas peak temperatures in Paris might hit 50⁰C soon
- Potential legislation, regulation and financial incentives on reducing effect of climate change
- Renovation of existing housing
- People issues and convenience
- Younger generations are more conscious of climate issues
- Lobby for incentives to reduce of carbon emissions
CLOSING SUMMARY – Alison Gowman
“After a tour de force of speakers and questions, we are reminded that we need to act now and that tech and data are our friends. A lot can be achieved if we collaborate and connect. Emma mentioned the need to reply to the London Climate Resilience Review and I hope that all will do this and LCAG will send out details to facilitate this. Liveries have many roles and using our knowledge and funds to help the wider community is also part of the challenge.”
The day concluded with networking and sharing of common experiences and challenges over drinks and canapes.
The conference closed with thanks to speakers, organisers and sponsors.
Additional Resources
Presentation slides from the day
Heart of the City Climate Action Toolkit
Heart of the Climate Course: Fully funded by the City of London Corporation for SMEs, charities, and livery companies based in (or substantially operating in) the Square Mile.
Constructive Thinking 3D Scan of Merchant Taylors Hall
Read or Download the Conference Brochure here:
Conference-2023