Now in the third year of delivery against the pioneering Now or Never strategy, Willmott Dixon’s chief sustainability officer Julia Barrett considers the key issues in sustainability in 2022.
In a year dominated by political and economic instability domestically and internationally, you would be forgiven for thinking 2022 provided many obstacles on the road to net zero and a fair and just society.
But in many ways the war in Ukraine, and resulting disarray in the energy markets, provided a much-needed wake-up call. Skyrocketing domestic bills and debate around national energy independence have made us more aware of energy use in all aspects of our lives. How we power our buildings and vehicles, and how we end our reliance on imported fossil fuels, has entered the national conversation and cost of living debate like never before.
September saw the launch of the Skidmore Independent Review of Net Zero, which carried the potential to derail the UK’s world-leading ambition to decarbonise by 2050. Commissioned in response to MPs’ concerns that net zero policies could worsen the energy crisis for ordinary people, the report eventually confirmed what we already knew: decarbonisation is the economic opportunity of the 21st century. Benefits including £70bn of added value to UK plc, and thousands of pounds slashed from household energy bills each year, offer a route to economic growth. The record-breaking summer temperatures were a reminder of the longer-term impacts and yet another reminder that we must take early action as delaying will only lead to increased costs. We will keep making the case for the pro-growth benefits of sustainable development and the long-term advantages of doing the right thing for the hardest hit communities during challenging economic times to ensure that these issues remain at the heart of the national policy agenda.
The year saw so many extraordinary events; from communities coming together to take in refugees, to the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, we mourned our Queen, we talked about human rights in Qatar and at Willmott Dixon we talked to more customers and communities than ever before about their local challenges and how we could help them.
Taken in the round, the tumultuous events of 2022 validate our decision to follow our purpose beyond profit. Willmott Dixon’s commitment to Now or Never shows how business can champion sustainability, lead the way in the fight against climate change and support the people and businesses in our communities to thrive. There is no going back now. We are making good progress against our 2030 ambitions but need to stay focused to make sure that we stay the course and help bring as many others along with us on the journey as we can.