The Livery Climate Action Group’s inaugural annual conference took place on Monday 4^th July 2022 at Merchant Taylors’ Hall.

The conference started with a welcome from Alderman and Sheriff Alison Gowman who noted that 43 Livery Companies were represented, including 23 with Halls and 6 with other properties in the City. Alison thanked John Pike and his team who created the event, and Merchant Taylors’ Livery Company for providing the venue. She noted that saving one tonne of CO₂ emissions now will amount to 28 tonnes of cumulative emissions by 2050. The issue of climate change is urgent for us all.

The Rt Honourable The Lord Mayor, Alderman Vincent Keaveny, introduced the event, noting the aim for the City to achieve Net Zero on Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2040. This objective is coupled with the establishment of the Green Finance Institute and the need to help developing countries which need a transition from an economy based on coal to one based on renewable energy. In the City, Stationers’ Hall has an air sourced heat pump system installed in its recent refurbishment, which is expected to give a significant reduction in heating costs: an excellent step and an example for other heritage buildings.

Food and the Livery Halls – Clare Clark, Head of Sustainability, CH&Co

Clare gave a detailed presentation on sustainable catering. The UK has the third cheapest food in the world. As most food depends on the soil from which it comes, herbicides and pesticides have since the 1940s helped to increase yields but have also impacted on the health of soil.  Production of food accounts for over a quarter of our Green House Gas emissions, with emissions from food waste more than from aviation. The split of emissions for food is 18% from the supply chain, 31% from livestock and fisheries, 27% in crop production and 24% in land use. Overall emissions can be reduced by the use of diverse ingredients, seasonal crops, and more food from plants. Emissions can also be reduced by reducing waste and avoiding the use of air freight.

Our food supply has social impacts. The NHS spends £6 billion per year on issues which could be ameliorated by a better diet. Also the UK has some of the worst food poverty in Europe with 2.5 million taking food from food banks. On economic impacts we employ 4 million in the food industry, with an annual turnover of £121 billion.

The actions that individuals can take include reducing waste and setting refrigerators at +4°C. Also,  Livery Companies can be bold with menus, flex to the seasons, and update equipment.

Building a Livery Company Climate Action Plan – break out session – Andy Miles, Worshipful Company of Management Consultants

Start small and build on that start, rather than wait for a perfect plan. Use a team rather than a committee, with diverse people including younger people who have most to lose. Look for what the Livery Company can do, as well as what individuals can do, as everyone can make a difference. Include things to continue to do such as recycling, things to start to do such as more walking and use of public transport, and things to stop doing such as leaving a TV on standby. Individuals can check their footprint at https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/. LCAG has produced a guidance note for Livery Halls and other properties.

Benchmarking and baselining carbon footprints – break out session – Rob Casey, Worshipful Company of Water Conservators

Many calculation methods are available to assess carbon footprints, including “Heart of the City” which is sponsored by the City Corporation and the Bank of England, and free to use. The important thing is to start measuring, using estimates where necessary. There is a guidance note on the LCAG website. Keep the assessment simple initially: identify key emissions and concentrate on the big part of the carbon footprint. Split it into

Scope 1: direct emissions, calculated from Company vehicles and combustion of fossil fuels

Scope 2: indirect emissions calculated from purchased energy such as electricity, heat or steam

Scope 3: all other indirect emissions estimated from commuting, travel, business meetings, hotel accommodation, leased vehicles, water supply and waste, and investments more relevant to Livery Companies with no Hall.

An individual emits about 13 tonnes of CO₂ / year. A Livery Company with no hall might emit about 20-40 tonnes / year.

The ESG Business Case – Flora Hamilton, Director of Financial Services, CBI

The CBI considers that Livery Companies are very important investors and very influential, and notes that the financial services sector in the City wants to be a zero carbon global hub.

Obligations from existing and expected legislation include taxonomies of investments that can be considered “green”, disclosures mandated by the Task force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), which are required from all listed and most large companies, and transition plans which detail how Companies will reduce emissions they finance or are responsible for. Transition plans to net zero need to be fully declared in 2023. The UK will follow international standards.

The ESG Business Case (cont’d) – Victoria Hoskins, Investment Director, Rathbone Greenbank Investments

ESG investors look for companies planning to achieve net zero targets.

New regulations for charities will be a challenge on ESG governance for which there is some guidance on the LCAG website.

Risks include climate risk of drought and flooding; risks to supply chains and people; cost of disruption; risks to insurance; risk of stranded assets; reputational risk in mitigating climate change; and the potential need to divest of some investments. Major energy companies: BP, Shell, Equinor (previously Statoil) and Ørsted (previously DONG) and others are divesting from carbon to green industries, and considering alternative fuels such as hydrogen.

Opportunities include reducing current emissions; disclosure of emissions; decarbonisation strategies, and allocation of CAPEX to reach net zero. Some companies may achieve net zero by 2030 or 2040.

Refurbishment of Listed Livery Halls and Buildings – Derek Farrow, Worshipful Company of Constructors

There are many sources of guidance including the LCAG website. The LCAG guidance is to help achieve the City’s commitment to major investment in improving energy efficiency; enhancing carbon removal in open spaces; protecting shared resource; driving net zero through the supply chain and integrating climate considerations into all decisions.

Property owners should set targets—which may not be the same for all— plan and implement changes, and record and report on them.

Owners should know their buildings: structure, mechanical and electrical plant (HVAC, chillers, plant rooms, kitchen, lifts, lighting and small power), supplies (electrical, gas, water), their history, whether listed, whether historic, and heritage status. If one can’t measure the state of a building, one can’t improve it.

The fabric of a building should be considered first, with care where listed building consent is needed, to install insulation including secondary / double glazing, and care to avoid creating problems with damp. Above all get professional help and get on with the upgrades of buildings to reduce emissions. With an understanding of the building, priorities can be set, easy win projects implemented and follow up to more complex ones.

The gas and electric grids are decarbonising with plans for the injection of 20% hydrogen in parts of the gas grid. Also heat pumps and direct air heating are options together with the use of LED lights. Finally planned preventative maintenance must not be forgotten.

Transition to a Green Future for our cities: the role of Livery Companies – panel discussion led by Peter Murray OBE, Head of New London Architecture, with panellists Maggie Berry, Director of Heart of the City; Clare Clark; Flora Hamilton and Derek Farrow

Points made in response to questions included:

Promoting non-traditional menus for formal meals in Livery Halls – make chicken a tasty treat.

Need stable Government policies to leverage international investment.

Heat pumps transfer about four times as much energy as is needed to pump the heat transfer fluid.

It would be great if Livery Companies could coordinate and share experiences on heritage buildings and ground sourced heat pumps, which are presently more expensive than gas boilers so payback times are long. Incentives are needed.

The lowest carbon building is one already built. Demolition and replacement of existing buildings emits lots of carbon. Emissions in rebuilding may be reduced by using cross laminated timber.

After a summing up and thanks to speakers and the organising team by Alderman and Sheriff Alison Gowman, attendees adjourned for networking with English wine and vegetarian / vegan canapés.

Programme

12.30pm – 1.30pm — Registration and networking

1.30pm — Conference welcome, Alderman and Sheriff Alison Gowman

1.40pm — Introduction, Lord Mayor of the City of London, Vincent Keaveny

2.00pm – 2.30pm — Food and the Livery Halls, Clare Clark, Head of Sustainability, CH&Co

2.30pm – 3.00pm — Breakout Workstreams

                                    1. Building a Livery Company Climate Action Plan

                                       Andy Miles Member of the Livery Climate Action Group

                                    2. Benchmarking and baselining carbon footprints

                                       Rob Casey Member of the Livery Climate Action Group

3.00pm – 3.30pm — Coffee and networking break

3.30pm – 4.00pm — The ESG business case

                                    Flora Hamilton, Director of Financial Services, CBI

                                    Victoria Hoskins, Rathbone Greenbank Investments

4.00pm – 4.20pm — Refurbishment of Listed Livery halls and Buildings. Where do I start?

                                    Derek Farrow, Partner & Project Manager, Chartered Surveyors, Berrys

4.20pm – 4.50pm — Transition to a Green Future for our Cities: The role of Livery Companies.

                                    Plenary Chair: Peter Murray OBE, Head of New London Architecture

                                    Panel Speakers: Maggie Berry OBE, Director Heart of the City,

                                                             Clare Clerk, Head of Sustainability CH&Co

                                                             Flora Hamilton, Director of Financial Services, CBI

                                                             Derek Farrow, Partner, Chartered Surveyors, Berrys

4.50pm — Close and sum up, Alderman and Sheriff Alison Gowman

5.00pm – 6.00pm — Networking with drinks and canapes

Download full event programme here

Useful Resources

• LCAG Guidance Notes
• Climate Action Plans
• ESG Investment Practice
• Heart of the City Website
• 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:
• Rathbone Greenbank | Ethical and sustainable investment solutions

LCAG Conference Sponsors

About the Livery Climate Action Group

The Livery Climate Action Group was formed in 2021 to assist City of London Livery Companies and Guilds to manage their impact on climate change and the environment by reducing carbon emissions and making responsible use of resources. The Group facilitates mutual self-help for Livery Companies and Guilds to grow their knowledge and expertise in the practical measures they can take towards a sustainable, adaptable and resilient future. This will allow them in turn to influence and encourage their associated professions and trades in the City and beyond.