Making strides towards a net zero carbon footprint
Watch SSE Energy Customer Solutions Managing Director Nikki Flanders in conversation with Future Net Zero’s Sumit Bose.
We’re one of many businesses coping with the challenges of coronavirus, and looking ahead to what this means for net zero – the government target to make the UK carbon emissions neutral. Nikki Flanders, who heads up SSE Energy Customer Solutions in Great Britain and Ireland, discusses this on camera with Sumit Bose of Future Net Zero.
We were able to get 99% of our service teams working remotely within two weeks of lockdown starting, allowing us to maintain services for our customers (who can get help via our Covid-19 FAQs
Nikki confirms that we remain focused on cutting carbon emissions. “Net zero is the heart of our strategy and our purpose, and Covid-19 doesn’t change that. Last year SSE set four clear goals for 2030 that our organisation can orientate around and we can track and measure.”
Could the pandemic inspire a ‘green new normal’? Amid the current crisis, an upside is reduced air pollution. “My 11-year-old son said: ‘We can’t let it go back, can we?’” says Nikki, who feels younger generations expect companies to alleviate their environmental impact. “They think that’s just the way we should be; it’s really exciting.”
“The onus is on us to understand those opportunities and think creatively to develop new technologies and business models. SSE brings the expertise of a larger company, investing in low carbon solutions through large scale developments and technological advancements.”
SSE Business Energy’s role includes making green energy accessible to all businesses and public sector organisations. “One size doesn’t fit all,” explains Nikki. “Our job is to understand our customers’ needs and match them with the right solutions.” These range from specific contracts for landlords to schemes to install electric vehicle infrastructure, LED lighting or solar PVs.
SSE cannot accomplish net zero alone, so Nikki is positive about more companies investing in low carbon. “We’ve all got to tackle this together and find solutions which are economically sustainable to ensure that we can go on the journey. Covid-19 has shown that governments and business bodies can work effectively together, and that’s what’s needed to achieve net zero.”
To watch the full video conversation, click here.
You can hear more from Nikki about the future for energy and carbon emissions on 4 June 2020, as part of the Future Net Zero Online event.
