Sponsored Editorial

Medway Norse director Andy Mann explains the importance of net zero, also known as carbon neutrality, which is a state of net zero carbon dioxide emissions:

As more and more is talked about the importance of combating climate change, everyone needs to be aware that it’s going to be all too easy to overlook possibly the most important challenge – achieving net zero.

Talking with representatives of a broad selection of business and resident communities across Medway, I’m reminded just how much this ambitious aim entails.

To achieve net zero we must be realistic about timescales, the capital investment required and the resources needed. We will need the infrastructure for electric vehicle charging, reliable green energy supplies to meet massively increased demand, and a regulatory framework giving commercial establishments the ability to implement greening of their buildings.

At Medway Norse net zero is something which we, and our partner Medway Council, have been working on for some time; and the more we action, the more we understand the extent of what is involved.

Our parent organisation, Norse Group, has a specialist environmental consultancy, which includes net zero specialists who are in the process of developing a comprehensive strategy to enable us to achieve net zero as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.

We will be using their findings to help draw up our own strategy, with the aid of our colleagues at Medway Council. This will focus on three key areas:

Trading Activity – replacing our fleet with alternative vehicles, making our buildings energy-efficient and reducing the carbon footprint of all of the services we deliver to the people of Medway, including waste collection and recycling.

Procurement – ensuring our energy comes from sustainable sources and encouraging our local suppliers and subcontractors adopt a net zero strategy.

People - Providing advice and guidance to our staff, their families and local communities, and helping our Medway clients reduce their carbon footprint.

Nobody doubts that it is vitally important for the businesses and residents in Medway that we all work tirelessly to achieve net zero. It can be done, but none of us must underestimate the considerable commitment, and investment, needed.