Thoughtshower

The Complex Links Between Climate Change and Migration

2014-08-08T14:46:00.001+02:00

Tuvalu
Source: Flickr

Climate migration may not be a very mainstream environmental topic, yet is an important, albeit complex, issue that must be addressed. The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report acknowledges that climate change will impact migration flows.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) defines environmental migrants as:

“… persons or groups of persons who, for compelling reasons of sudden or progressive changes in the environment that adversely affect their lives or living conditions, are obliged to leave their habitual homes, or choose to do so, either temporarily or permanently, and who move either within their country or abroad”

Most climate migration normally occurs within borders and usually affects people in poorer areas. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries, especially due to water shortages, cyclones and delta erosion. Pacific island nations are especially at risk, with Kiribati considering relocating its entire population outside the country.

However, climate migrants have also been documented in developed countries such as Canada and the US.

Intricate Interplay

It is difficult to estimate how many people have already been displaced by climate change. Many sources claim that 150-200 million people will be climate change refugees by 2050.

However, climate change is often only one of the issues contributing to migration. IOM thinks climate change and migration is a “complex nexus” because of associations with other factors such as poverty, governance and population growth. When surveyed, most migrants often do not attribute their displacement to climate change – even when their movement is linked to sudden climate-linked disasters.

Policy Responses

Many argue that a concrete policy response to climate migration is required – currently, there is no long-term legal protection afforded to environmental refugees.

The most recent United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of refugees does not provide long-term legal protection to climate migrants. However, a family from Tuvalu was yesterday granted residency in New Zealand in what is the world’s first successful application for residency on grounds of climate change.

A recent Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung report ‘Time to Act’ also argues that a more radical approach is needed in the EU, precisely because “the complexity of the challenge should not be used as an excuse for not addressing the issue”.

Despite the unknowns, it’s important to pinpoint climate change’s role in migration and bring the issue to a more mainstream audience. As the EU Greens say, when it comes to climate change migration, it seems especially important to avoid “the one-size-fits-all approach”.

Blog by Bárbara Mendes-Jorge, Consultant at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult.

Bioeconomy, Horizon 2020 And The Holy Grail Of Market Access

2014-07-15T11:14:00.001+02:00

Source: European Commission

“How do we scale up, enter the market and become a big hit?” is the big question all innovation faces. Niche industries, such as biotech, are looking for the funding to kick-start commercial scale production. Could Horizon 2020 be the answer to their prayers?

To quote the European Commission, “Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with some €79 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020). It promises more breakthroughs, discoveries and world-firsts by taking great ideas from the lab to the market.”

But will Horizon 2020 deliver on its grand promise, transforming innovative research results - especially under the Innovation Action calls - into successful market access?

This is where communications comes into play. Since January 2014, Sustainability Consult has been taking part in Horizon 2020 consortia as communications and dissemination partner. Our Team has years of experience in the bioeconomy sector. We have worked with sustainable chemicals and materials companies and regularly attend and exhibit at the major bioeconomy events in Europe and North America.

Professional communications and media relations are key to the success of Horizon 2020 projects as the European Commission is looking for project results to be disseminated widely to ensure the knowledge is shared. Our network of media contacts can help a project reach the right audience.

Credible communications mean visibility and visibility leads to enhanced opportunities for new partnerships. This is how we can help a project get closer to the market.

For more information or to partner on a Horizon 2020 call, please contact us at hello@sustainabilityconsult.com.

Blog by Zoe Volioti, Business Development at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult.

Five More Green Spaces in Brussels

2014-07-03T12:52:00.000+02:00

Parc de Woluwe
Source: Wikimedia Commons

The sun is shining in Brussels, so it’s a good opportunity to present a follow-up to our Five Green Spaces in Brussels blog post from last year.

1/ Parc de Woluwe

In Eastern Brussels sits a lush park with a big lake and majestic trees, the largest in a cluster of green spaces close to Tervuren. Take a book or a picnic with you – it’s worth spending a couple of hours here at least.

2/ Parc de la Sauvagère

This multipurpose green space has an eating area, a basketball court, a playground and, best of all, a large enclosure with numerous animals, including bunnies, chickens, pheasants and turkeys.

3/ Parc Josaphat

Hidden in Schaerbeek, this sprawling park boasts a number of sculptures, bridges, an archery area, a mini-golf course… and a fountain of love! There are also some interesting places to eat near the park and a few B&Bs for anyone wanting to stay closer to a greener area in town.

4/ Parc du Wolvendael

A hilly green area in Northern Uccle, which is fun to get lost in. The École des Arts d’Uccle is also located here, which offers a range of art courses for adults and children.

5/ Canal Park Bxl

Well – actually a park in progress. A crowdfunding campaign is trying to get donations for a ‘Pop Up Park’ close to the Brussels canal. With over half of Brussels’ population living less than 2km from the canal, the initiative wants to give residents a green, healthy space nearby. For more information, check out the campaign’s Facebook page.

Blog by Bárbara Mendes-Jorge, Junior Consultant at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult.

5 Sustainable Food Apps

2014-06-20T15:35:00.000+02:00

Apps to pick apples by

It’s getting ever easier to check just how sustainably we’re eating day-to-day. With so many online tools promising to help make our diets more ethical, we thought we’d list five of the best.

1. Seasons

As consumers, we’ve become too used to out of season food being readily available. The Seasons app for iPhone helps to readdress this. It highlights natural growing seasons of local vegetables and fruits. English, French, German and Spanish support is available.

2. EVA Restaurant Guide

Eating less meat is one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint. This helpful list of restaurants across Flanders and Brussels makes finding a vegetarian meal easy. The guide is also available on Android.

3. Good Fish Guide Mobile App

Using a database from the Marine Conservation Society, eaters can check the origin and sustainability of many different species. The sustainable seafood guide is available online or as a mobile app.

4. Food Rescue

Sainsbury’s and Google launched this online tool at the start of June. Voice recognition technology allows users to find recipe ideas for up to nine ingredients. This all feeds into a leaderboard that records which areas of the UK are wasting less food.

5. The Good Shopping Guide Ethical Shopping App

It may not have the snappiest title in the world but this shopping app comes endorsed by Friends of the Earth. The guide compares brands using environmental and ethical credentials. Barcoo is a useful alternative for German speakers. It uses a barcode scanner and rates products using a traffic light colour system.

This is only the tip of the iceberg (lettuce). Over the coming weeks, we will look at other cutting edge and localised apps for sustainable diets.

Sustainability Consult does lunch!

Blog by Richard Delahay, Junior Consultant at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult.

My First Month In Brussels

2014-06-06T16:46:00.000+02:00

Grand Place at night

It’s hard to believe that it was over a month ago that I arrived in Brussels and started working at Sustainability Consult. My placement is part of the EU’s Leonardo Mobility Programme, administered by Change Agents UK. The last month has been both busy and educational, as I have taken up the position of Personal Assistant and Community Manager.

As Personal Assistant to our CEO Kathryn, I have been working on administration, accounts and diary management. I studied ethics at university, so being involved in the ins-and-outs of a value-based business like Sustainability Consult is of great interest to me. Seeing ethics and business go hand-in-hand at Sustainability Consult is both relieving and refreshing!

In my role as Community Manager, I have been managing Sustainability Consult’s Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages and our Thoughtshower blog. As a self-confessed social media addict, I have particularly enjoyed this part of the job. I have also been involved in organising Sustainability Consult’s community events. My first time at Green Drinks Brussels and our Sustainability Communications Lunch with Tim Nuthall were definite highlights of my month.

Of course, it has not been all work and no play. As well as consuming more beer and frites than I ever thought possible, I have spent my first month checking out some of Brussels’ top tourist sites. Notable among these are the beautiful Grand Place, the truly underwhelming Manneken Pis and the fascinating Magritte Museum.

Contrary to Brussels reputation as a boring city, I have found myself surprised by the amount on offer here. In particular, I have enjoyed the many markets, the great wealth of independent shops and cafés and spending time outdoors in some of Brussels great green spaces. Bois de la Cambre is an especially lovely place to spend a sunny day. There has been a few unexpected gems too - from attending an election night party at the European Greens’ HQ, to practicing open air yoga in Parc du Cinquantenaire, and witnessing a man dressed as a wind turbine at the Brussels Environment festival!

I look forward to many more great experiences and learning opportunities over the next three months.

Blog by Naomi Alexander, Personal Assistant and Community Manager at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult.

How Does Climate Change Affect Jobs?

2014-06-05T14:45:00.000+02:00

Traditionally, trade unions have not been the biggest climate policy supporters and climate change impacts on the labour market are not always obvious. However, global warming affects poor people in both urban and rural areas disproportionately, increasing inequality. This is just one finding from the European Trade Union Institute’s (ETUI) new report ‘Climate Change: Implications For Employment’, created with the European Climate Foundation (ECF).

Outlining key findings on workers and employment from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), the latest ETUI report affirms that society needs to change to a more resource and energy-efficient production mode.

Climate policy does not affect competitiveness

The report launched at ETUI’s monthly forum, where senior researcher Béla Galgóczi said employment effects of climate change need more attention – not just the effects of climate change mitigation on jobs and green jobs.

Tom Van Ierland from the European Commission’s DG Clima confirmed that recent internal research found that climate change was already affecting job creation, with the agriculture, fishery and forestry sectors being the most impacted.

Benjamin Denis from the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) believes the main hurdle to an ambitious climate policy framework is the absence of a strong narrative to counter the “climate policy affects competitiveness and jobs” claim being bandied around Brussels – inaction has a cost. Van Ierland added that developing a low-carbon economy would actually help Europe become more competitive as it becomes more resource-efficient.

With 6.5 million jobs in renewable energy worldwide, doubling renewable energy to 2020 could create 17 million jobs worldwide, said Bert Metz from ECF. On climate policy, Metz believes that trade unions should focus on the impact they can make regionally, nationally and at EU level rather than internationally.

“There are no jobs on a dead planet”

The ETUI report comes shortly after the launch of the Unions4Climate movement, where 50 unions came together to mobilise support for an ambitious climate deal at the Paris COP21 in 2015.

Sharan Burrow, General Secretary ITUC
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), memorably said, “Threats to jobs and livelihoods include the threat of climate change. For unions, it is simple. There are no jobs on a dead planet”. ITUC’s own research finds that strong climate action could create 48 million new jobs in just 12 countries.

It is refreshing to see large, international and influential organisations come together to help shape a sustainable industrial policy. With so many members and so much potential reach, hopefully they can also inspire a wide range of people to pressurise governments and business to really change the way they operate. This positioning will definitely help change trade unions’ reputation as climate policy blockers.

Blog by Bárbara Mendes-Jorge, Junior Consultant at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult.

This Is Big: US To Cut Carbon From Coal Plants. Uptake In Nuclear Likely

2014-06-03T12:05:00.000+02:00

Source: Wikimedia

In what it calls a “commonsense plan”, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US has proposed legislation to reduce carbon from existing coal-fired power plants. Driven by President Obama, the Clean Power Plan, part of the June 2013 Climate Action Plan, may be the single most significant climate policy proposal to come out of the United States government to date.

The legislation aims to cut carbon emissions from the power sector by 30% in 2030, compared to 2005 levels. EPA estimates a resulting 25% cut in particulate pollution, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide (NOx and SOx). So far, so good… and yet, it does seem like the proposal is paving the way for a major uptake in nuclear power.

Implementation will be done at state level, with each state having a specific target (although they are not expressed as percentages) and the freedom to choose how it meets that goal. The cuts should be achieved through a combination of measures, including changing the energy mix, energy efficiency and demand-side management. Emissions trading schemes are also allowed. By June 2016, states have to inform EPA on how they plan to meet the targets.

Nuclear is seen as a “technically viable approach” so for me, the scary version is a major increase in nuclear capacity in the US, rather than promoting renewables and energy efficiency. Old nuclear plants due to be retired might also be kept operational. EPA says there are at least five nuclear plants that might be kept open past planned retirement.

In terms of nuclear waste, EPA “recognises that nuclear generation poses unique waste disposal issues”. However, it says “we do not consider that potential disadvantage of nuclear generation relative to fossil fuel-fired generation as outweighing nuclear generation’s other advantages."

Renewable targets are set but in some cases are lower than the existing level of renewable generation, e.g. in the case of Iowa which has 25% of renewables today and a 2020 target of 15%. Forestry-based biomass-derived fuels get a mention as a way to sequester carbon. CCS makes an appearance and is described as “technically feasible… at costs that are not unreasonable” although EPA says a CCS requirement would be “difficult to implement in the short term”.

How does the US 30% by 2030 target measure up to other regions? The EU has a 20% by 2020 target, based on 1990 levels and has proposed a 40% reduction by 2030. China today announced that it will cap absolute carbon emissions from 2016, building on a 2009 emissions intensity target of 40-45% by 2020. They have not put a figure on the absolute cap yet.

CO2 makes up 82% of US greenhouse gas emissions. And America loves coal. So how feasible is a 30% carbon reduction by 2030? In ‘The Nine Things You Need To Know About Obama’s New Climate Rules’, environmental news website Grist says the proposed regulation is “good for natural gas” as it only focusses on coal-fired plants. In fact, it could be argued that the legislation is both pro-fracking and pro-nuclear. Grist also says that legal challenges are expected and opponents may just try to “run out the clock, since a Republican could take office in January 2017."

The EPA’s proposal shows clear political will from the Obama administration. Recent research by Gallup showed that 39% of Americans are “concerned believers” in global warming. Yet, this number has been fairly stable since 2001 so we cannot really conclude that public opinion is pushing for political change.

The Obama administration has been brave in proposing emissions reductions legislation particularly as the number of what Gallup calls “cool skeptics” - those who worry a little or not at all about global warming, who think media reports are exaggerated and who attribute it to “natural changes in the environment" - has doubled from 12% in 2001 to 25% in 2014.

The Clean Power Plan is a meaningful step towards mitigating climate change. Kudos to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy who is quoted as saying, "We don't have to choose between a healthy economy and a healthy environment.” And yet, it remains to be seen whether this proposal will lead to more fracking, more nuclear and less renewable energy and energy efficiency. As such, I can’t help feeling concerned about what should be a good news story for public health and the environment.

Consultation is open for 120 days and there will be four public hearings in the week of 28 July.

Blog by Kathryn Sheridan, Sustainability Consult CEO and 1% for the Planet Ambassador. Kathryn is a former energy and environment reporter

7 Steps To Make Your Presentation More Engaging

2014-06-02T11:42:00.000+02:00

Image by Frits Ahlefeldt-Laurvig - hikingartist.com

A successful presentation demands that people sit up and take notice. Yet, when was the last time you found yourself drifting off during a monotonous slideshow? It’s probably not that long ago.

It never fails to amaze me how often smart people continue to make the same mistakes and give bad presentations. These seven steps will save that big presentation from becoming naptime for the audience.

1/ Learn your presentation

A slideshow is not a teleprompt. This is the first mistake I see far too many speakers make. Take the time to practice in front of friends or close colleagues that won’t be afraid to advise you after.

It’s always obvious to everyone in the room if you’re repeating someone else’s words. If you are not passionate about the subject, you can’t expect anyone else to be.

2/ Know your audience

This one’s another big pitfall. Who are you presenting to and what is their knowledge of the subject?

Doing the homework on your audience is as important as content. Engaging the floor is much easier if you know what makes them tick.

3/ Tell a story

It’s human nature to tell stories. Our ancestors have framed information with narrative long before water coolers and office gossip.

Structure your presentation as a beginning, middle and an end. Include characters and obstacles that the audience can relate to. Suddenly a dreary conference centre or boardroom becomes much more entertaining.

4/ Use fewer slides

Photo thanks to ImagineCup - imaginecup.com

Summarising a research project is always going to require a different approach to pitching a PR strategy. However, presenting technically complex information is no excuse to roll out biblical proportions of text. Twenty or more slides plastered with numbers will immediately turn any audience off.

Use the TED Talk model as inspiration. Many of the presenters don’t even use slides but when they do, they covey their message with the bare minimum of visual content. If presenting to a smaller group, then a whiteboard or flipchart might be more suitable.

5/ Paint a picture (with pictures)

Slides should complement what you are saying, not the other way round. By all means include text in simple bullet lists but remember, facts and words are more captivating when you verbalise them. Let vivid imagery tell the story that you cannot.

Use eye catching pictures to best convey complex information. Infographics are great for this. If you are going to use photos, then make sure they are inspiring.

6/ Add a little humour

You don’t have to become a stand-up comedian… but it helps. A lighthearted remark or humorous context will relax the audience and make them more receptive.

7/ Interact with your audience

Have you noticed how the majority of comedians begin their gigs chatting with the crowd? It involves the audience and identifies situations that everybody can relate to.

I’ve noticed a growing trend for audience participation at conferences that gets the audience out of their seats. Make your presentation more memorable by revamping the tired Q&A formula and invite feedback throughout.

Blog by Richard Delahay, Junior Consultant at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult.

Challenges and Opportunities of Communicating Climate Change

2014-05-28T18:00:00.000+02:00

Sustainability Communications Lunch with Tim Nuthall

At this month’s Sustainability Communications Lunch we were joined by Tim Nuthall, Media Manager of the Energy Strategy Centre at the European Climate Foundation.

After giving us a brief walk through of his career, Tim outlined the major challenges and opportunities of communicating climate change.

The Challenges

1/ Scepticism

Climate sceptics can be divided into three categories: a) ideological sceptics, who are not interested in addressing themselves to the facts b) the disgruntled, who disagree with one particular issue in the climate debate c) the paid, who have a vested interest in climate change denial.

2/ Psychological Challenge

Humans often do not act in accordance with things they know to be true. Even people who are convinced about climate change and the threats it poses often do not live their lives as if this were the case.

3/ Balance of Evidence

No matter how overwhelming the support for climate science is the media will always find someone with a contradictory view.

4/ Political Inertia and General Fatigue

The lack of political will to act on climate change has led to a feeling of fatigue and a loss of any sense of urgency among the general public.

5/ Political Polarisation

The climate debate has increasingly become a left vs. right issue, which distracts from the severity of the problem itself.

Tim quoted Upton Sinclair when summarising the challenges: "It’s difficult to get a man to understand something when his job depends on not understanding it." However, as Tim reassured us, it isn’t all doom and gloom. He also highlighted several exciting opportunities that climate change communications present.

The Opportunities

1/ Stubbornness of the Evidence

Sadly, in terms of scientific data nothing is going in the right direction. Climate change communicators can harness this to effectively get their message across.

2/ Storytelling

Although room for improvement remains, those working in climate change communications are getting increasingly better at storytelling.

3/ New Narratives

Tim’s favourite example of effective climate change communications is Bill McKibben’s ‘Do the Math’ roadshow. Modelled on techniques used during the apartheid struggle in South Africa, the campaign encourages people to divest from fossil fuels. The recent decision of Stanford University to divest from coal companies shows how effective innovative new approaches like this can be.

4/ The Internet

How we share information and campaign has been transformed, bringing lots of opportunities for effective climate communications.

5/ Public Concern and Interest

Public involvement about climate change is growing. When the online campaigning platform Avaaz poll their members on what global issue means the most to them climate change consistently tops the list.

6/ The Pope

The Pope’s recent statements about the need to protect God’s creation represent what is hopefully a broader trend of religious leaders getting involved in the climate movement.

7/ Black Swans

Black Swans are those unexpected events that put the climate agenda firmly in the public domain. Prime examples include Fukishima and Hurricane Sandy.

Sustainability Consult is very grateful to Tim for participating and sharing these valuable insights. We are already looking forward to our next Sustainability Communications Lunch on 23 June!

Blog by Naomi Alexander, Personal Assistant and Community Manager at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult.

Green Drinks Brussels Celebrates Its One Year Anniversary

2014-05-23T16:29:00.000+02:00

Naomi, Bárbara and Richard at Green Drinks Brussels

Last week, Sustainability Consult celebrated the one year anniversary of Green Drinks Brussels. Green Drinks is a non-profit international organisation promoting informal drinks for people who work on or are interested in the environment. In May 2013, Sustainability Consult took the initiative to organise the first Green Drinks Brussels which saw a successful turnout of fifty people (and a dog)!

As a newcomer to Brussels and Sustainability Consult, it was my first ever Green Drinks. Attending the Brussels edition for the first time on its one year anniversary and as part of the host organisation’s Team was a real honour.

Needless to say, I had an excellent time. The best thing about the evening was the diversity of people who came. I met people from all stages of their careers: those like myself who have just started work in the environmental field to seasoned veterans of the sustainability scene. We welcomed guests from environmental NGOs, trade associations, think tanks, EU institutions, companies and political parties.

Speaking to people from such a range of backgrounds was fantastic, especially as it is clear everyone is united in their passion for sustainability. What’s more, it was clear that attendees felt comfortable and at ease immediately. After an hour it was difficult to tell who was enjoying their first Green Drinks Brussels and who had attended every one since the first!

Sustainability Consult is very proud to have introduced Green Drinks to Brussels. The Team are very excited about continuing to host the event and hope it continues to grow in the coming years. A big thank you to all who have joined us over the last twelve months and helped make Green Drinks Brussels such a special event. For those who are yet to make it, we look forward to welcoming you soon.

To keep up to date with future events you can join the Facebook Group, follow Green Drinks Brussels on Twitter, or ask to be added to the mailing list.

See you next month!

Blog by Naomi Alexander, Personal Assistant and Community Manager at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult.

Five More Cafés To Work From In Brussels

2014-05-19T16:04:00.000+02:00

Last year, we wrote about Five Cafés To Work From in Brussels. It seems to have struck a chord with those looking for a decent cup, comfy seats and – crucially – a good internet connection. It has become our most popular blog post.

So here are five more cafés that we like to work from in Brussels when we get the opportunity.

1/ Parlor Coffee is the new office favourite. Conveniently located ten minutes from SC towers on foot, it offers a high quality of coffee and food, as well as a cosy atmosphere. If you go from Friday to Sunday, try out their amazing brunch options.

2/ Ranked third on TripAdvisor’s best Brussels restaurants, Aksum Coffee House is an institution. It may be small, but with a selection of drinks and cakes from across Africa, including a delicious passion fruit dacquoise (touted by some as the best cake in Brussels), you might find it difficult to leave.

3/ I am writing this blog post from Jat’ café, another fairly new addition to the burgeoning Brussels coffee scene. Spacious, with many plugs for your electronic devices, it’s a perfect location for working downtown. They also provide free small cakes with your coffee – another reason to visit.

4/ Maison du Peuple is really a café-bar and a very nice place to work from in Saint-Gilles. Many people are still hunched over their laptops until late in the evening. You can usually get a seat at any time of day and the food and drink choice is plentiful.

5/ A new branch of OR Espresso Bar has recently opened on Place Jourdan. Larger than its city centre counterpart, this café offers an open space to work in, conveniently located near the European district and also has some plugs for electronic devices.

Blog by Bárbara Mendes-Jorge, Junior Consultant at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult.

Five Top Bioeconomy Tweeters

2014-05-12T11:14:00.000+02:00

Source: Wikipedia

At Sustainability Consult, we are proud to have a number of clients in the bioeconomy space, who are helping decarbonise our economy through innovative fossil-free products. We’ll be exhibiting once again at the World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology from 12-15 May in Philadelphia, the world’s largest industrial biotechnology event.

The wider public is still not aware of the advantages of bio-based products. Yet to create a market, consumers need to call on brands to increase the bio-based percentage of their products.

Investing in materials made responsibly from biomass and other renewable, bio-based materials is a crucial step towards reducing society’s dependence on petro-based products. The European Commission added its voice to the debate when it recently released a short, animated video on the basics of the bioeconomy.

To get you started, here are a few Twitter accounts you should definitely be following for the latest from the bioeconomy.

1/ Doris de Guzman, Writer at Tecnon OrbiChem and Blogger at Green Chemicals (@DGreenblogger)

Former ICIS green chemistry correspondent, Doris is a prolific tweeter, updating her followers with everything going on in the bioeconomy world – news, events, reports and much more.

2/ Joost Dubois, Director Branding, Bio-based Products & Services, Royal DSM (@joostdubois)

In charge of global communications and branding of bio-based products (or as he puts it, Biotech Story Teller & Chief Promises Officer!) DSM’s Joost is one of the leading voices in the space. He plays nicely with others with lots of interaction on hot topics, particularly on EU-US regulation of biofuels.

3/ Adrian Higson, Executive at NNFCC (@biobasedchem)

NNFCC are bioeconomy consultants based in the UK and Adrian’s Twitter account keeps his followers up-to-date on what’s happening in Britain and beyond – as well as the many bioeconomy events he attends.

4/ Marcel Lubben, President of Reverdia (@marcellubben)

Formerly DSM’s main man on bio, Marcel Lubben now heads up bio-based joint venture Reverdia and shares updates on the bioeconomy and follows company developments in the space.

5/ Me! Kathryn Sheridan, CEO of Sustainability Consult (@kathrynsheridan)

Oh the arrogance of it all… I nominate myself as ‘Bioeconomy Twitterati’. As CEO of Sustainability Consult, I tweet on a range of sustainability issues but none more so than the contribution the bioeconomy can make. I’m very engaged in the bio-based sector and try to keep my followers up to date.

Blog by Kathryn Sheridan, CEO at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult. We specialise in the bioeconomy, renewable energy and EU policy and support companies across the bio-based sectors – in chemicals, plastics and energy.

Five Twitter Don’ts

2014-05-08T15:40:00.000+02:00

Following on from my Five Tips For Live-Tweeting blog, I wanted to share some things I don’t like to see organisations doing on Twitter.

Not all of my tips will guarantee a successful Twitter account – in fact, many of the world’s most popular accounts are frequently guilty of these transgressions. Nevertheless, you’re definitely not Miley Cyrus, so take a glance at my Twitter etiquette don’ts!

1/ Misusing Hashtags

Does that word or phrase really need a # sign before it? No? Then don’t use it! It will just make your tweet less readable. People often use hashtags because they think it will make their tweet more searchable, given that the initial purpose of hashtags was to group tweets about similar topics. However, when you search for terms on Twitter, they will come up in the results, even if they are not ‘hashtagged’.

If you must include a hashtag in your tweet, think about the wider context. For example, if tweeting about air pollution, putting #EU2030 in your tweet – the hashtag related to the EU’s policy framework for climate and energy policies – means your tweet could reach a different, more varied audience.

2/ Not Interacting – Or Only RTing

An account that only retweets with no interaction misses the point of the medium. To get the most out of Twitter, you should engage with other users to have conversations and gain new insights – which will likely earn you new followers.

If you only retweet what other people are saying, your voice and personal knowledge will not come across. Make sure that most of your tweet content is composed by you.

3/ Not Crediting Sources

Tag your sources where appropriate. It’s only polite to alert your followers to where you got that report from – and it will show that you’re engaged and aware of the rest of the Twitterverse.

4/ Tweeting Aimlessly

As an organisation, the best thing to do before setting up a Twitter account is to create some basic guidelines – what topics to tweet (and not tweet) about, how often and where to get content from. To get more followers it should be clear WHAT you’re tweeting about (and what not) – people generally do not like to follow haphazard Tweeters.

Twitter posting should also be structured – you shouldn’t tweet ten times in a day and then do nothing for a week. Your followers will not appreciate being bombarded.

5/ Not Sounding Like A Human

Don’t be a robot! 140 characters is limiting, but try and put a human voice in your tweets. Be irreverent and let your sense of humour shine through.

Blog by Bárbara Mendes-Jorge, Junior Consultant at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult.

Subsidies to the Power Sector: Europe’s Best Kept Secret?

2014-04-30T15:59:00.001+02:00

Sustainability Consult’s CEO, Kathryn Sheridan, moderated a heated debate at EWEA yesterday. The event ‘Subsidies to the power sector: Europe’s best kept secret?’ brought together speakers from the renewable and fossil fuel sectors with economists from the European Commission and OECD. Fossil fuel subsidies is a pressing issue since the G20 made a pledge to phase out market distorting subsidies. We supported the Global Subsidies Initiative on this issue some years ago.

Kathryn moderated speakers from the renewable and fossil fuel sectors

Where Does This Leave EU Power Subsidies?

Kathryn kicked off the discussion by challenging the speakers for their definition of a subsidy. Not surprisingly, they did not all agree with the European Commission’s definition. Even Tom Howes from the Commission’s DG Energy took a broader view than the official EU definition while Thomas Becker, CEO of EWEA, said, “A subsidy is an act of political will”.

Beate Raabe, Secretary-General of Eurogas, claimed that the more important issue was the effect a subsidy has. She said that the market did not need subsidies at all and proposed a technology-neutral approach with an emissions cap.

Is a Level-playing Field Possible?

The fear is that subsidies are distorting the market. Brian Ricketts from EURACOAL felt that the EU should be promoting a market-based approach not moving towards a planned economy. He said that a separate market has been created to support renewable energies.

Tom Howes commented that subsidies for renewables are the most transparent today, that's why they attract the most attention.

More Data is Needed

Ronald Steenblik, senior trade policy analyst for OECD, felt that the internet is a great driver for transparency. NGOs now have the capacity to hold governments to account, he said. A long-awaited study by the European Commission is collating much-needed data on direct and indirect subsidies. This data will go a long way towards building a factual base to address the issue.

While this debate was a great opportunity to raise awareness, it is clear that much still needs to be done to define subsidies for energy. More transparency is needed.

A video of the EWEA debate is available on YouTube.

Blog by Richard Delahay, Communications Assistant at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult.

Politics 2.0: How The European Greens Are Embracing A ‘Common Campaign’

2014-03-25T11:45:00.000+01:00

We were pleased to have the European Green Party’s Campaign Manager, Johannes Hillje, speak at this month’s Sustainability Communications Lunch. Johannes shared with us the party’s strategy for the upcoming European and national election campaigns.

What Is The ‘Common Campaign’?

Johannes and his colleagues have developed a toolbox for their national member parties. This easy to use toolbox offers templates and assets, which can easily be adapted to national campaigns.

The guidelines aren’t just visual either. Tonality is also addressed as purely positive phrasing on campaign posters could disengage voters in countries worst hit by the economic crisis. Therefore, the campaign messaging has adapted to include messaging that would motivate citizens to action.

The European Greens have published tools for activists to encourage greater engagement. A Facebook app allows supporters to create and share their own ‘campaign posters’. This open-source political campaign model mirrors the Green Primary campaign in which any EU citizen could vote online to nominate the Greens’ lead candidates.

The campaign team also embraces memes in their marketing, which makes the Greens one of the more forward-thinking European political parties in their social media campaigns.

There are risks, however. Key messages could get lost through the viral approach because media control is lost up to a certain point. However, this is offset by having engaged citizens and activists spreading the Greens’ messages on social media.

There is a risk of mixed messaging from the user-generated material as it is not clearly labeled as such. However, the Greens think it is worth the risk to engage European citizens in the voting process.

What Next For An Open-Source Campaign Model?

This flexible approach to communications could easily be adapted for trade associations, NGOs and umbrella organisations, allowing for consistent visuals with widespread brand recognition across a range of markets. The Greens’ campaign is also predominantly online, which makes budget stretch further and is infinitely ‘shareable’.

As the Greens are engaging in the 2014 European election not just on traditional environment and energy issues but by taking a strong stand on democracy, youth, digital rights and equality, their inclusive approach looks set to resonate with a wide range of disenchanted voters.

Blog by Richard Delahay, Communications Assistant at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult.

Innovation and Energy: Big Questions Facing The EU 2030 Package

2014-03-19T10:03:00.001+01:00

The panel at ‘Putting Innovation

At The Heart Of 2030’

Earlier this week, I attended a conference hosted by Energy Post. The event ‘Putting Innovation At The Heart Of 2030’, moderated by energy journalist Sonja van Renssen, brought together guest speakers for a timely debate on the European 2030 Climate and Energy proposals.

Does society believe innovation can be cost-effective?

“1% GDP can be saved thanks to innovation, in energy, in the UK by 2050”, said David Clarke, CEO of Energy Technologies Institute. Gadgets need to be cost-effective to survive and investor confidence is needed for bioenergy and CCS. On biomass and capital-intensive energy, he said “The challenge is the business model”.

How can Europe synergise innovation for sustainability?

Marco Landolfi, Energy, Telecom, Transport Coordinator at the Permanent Representation of Italy to the EU, claimed that Italy’s investment in advanced biofuels and transport is one of the most ambitious. Yet, this is not happening on a European scale, he claimed.

There are signs that this disconnect is also happening on a national scale between universities and business. As a member of the audience pointed out, research often begins within academia.

So how do we scale up innovation?

Clarke stressed that innovation needs to address security, affordability and sustainability. Horizon 2020 is Europe’s new flagship strategy for funding innovation. The hope is that green start-ups can drive science, research and help tackle societal challenges. However, the panelists agreed that innovation must be broader. Dick Benschop from Shell Netherlands said that smart grids are key.

A gap exists in how energy storage and the biobased economy can play a part in EU 2030.

Can the EU Emissions Trading Standard fund start-ups?

Dominique Ristori, Director-General for Energy at the European Commission, believes that ETS and NER300 can fund SMEs. This could encourage stronger cooperation between governments, business and researchers.

However, Tomas Wyns, Researcher at the Institute for European Studies, believes a much broader consensus is needed between NGOs and business. He put it simply enough by saying, “The window of opportunity for innovative technologies is 10 to 15 years. We need a big vision.”

Blog by Richard Delahay, Communications Assistant at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult.

Sustainability Consult has expertise in renewables, the biobased economy and EU policy. Please get in touch to discuss opportunities for partnership and dissemination of Horizon 2020.

Inspiring Change: Why Women Can Thrive In The New Economy

2014-03-08T10:00:00.000+01:00

Kathryn Sheridan is CEO of Sustainability Consult

As a female CEO, it seemed natural for me to blog on International Women’s Day. But when I sat down to write the post, I hit a wall. I simply don’t define myself as a “woman entrepreneur”. I’m just an entrepreneur who happens to be a woman. I was lucky enough to be born in a democracy and raised to believe that I could do whatever I set my mind to, as long as I worked hard. Thanks Mum!

I guess I’m post-feminist. My business is in the niche where communications and sustainability come together. I never wanted a job in finance or engineering. If I had, I would have gone after one. I started out in journalism and in my whole career, I have never felt discriminated against for being a woman.

However…

We often receive positive feedback that our Team is mainly women. Partners are happy to put us on bids for public funding as we bring some “gender balance”. And the media still makes a fuss when a woman is appointed CEO, like last month when Patagonia named Rose Marcario as President and CEO. When sales people cold-call our office, they automatically assume that the boss is a man. So it is still not 'business as usual' to have a woman at the head of a company.

We provide consultancy services to the traditionally male-dominated chemicals, plastics and energy industries. But I’m not treated any differently because I’m a woman. At industry conferences like World Bio Markets where I was moderating this week, we are seeing increasingly more young women coming through.

Surviving in today’s business world (and still being able to sleep at night) takes ethics, responsibility and kindness. Women don’t have a monopoly on these characteristics but they are well-placed to thrive in the new economy. What remaining discrimination is left - whether on the grounds of gender, sexuality or disability - will hopefully be left by the wayside as we build a more responsible, ethical economy.

I don’t believe you have to act like a man to succeed in business. I am a strong woman, outspoken and imposing at times, warm and fuzzy at others. I work really hard and more than anything, I own my vision and my passion for sustainability. I’m grateful to those who fight for women’s rights, especially in developing countries, just as we campaign on environmental issues.

Happy International Women’s Day to all our friends - men and women alike.

CSR Experts: Should We Get Rid of CSR?

2014-02-27T11:22:00.000+01:00

Kevin T. Jackson opened the CSR debate

With some trepidation, last week I went to Solvay Brussels School of Economics & Management to attend the provocatively-titled ‘Should We Get Rid of CSR?’ event, wondering whether it would make me reassess my entire career.

Part of the Phillippe de Woot award which is given to outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Master’s theses, the event saw academia and business come together to passionately debate what CSR is – and whether it actually does more harm than good to businesses and society at large.

Two professors from Cass Business School spoke about the perils of seeing CSR as a panacea which will fix political problems and advance the business agenda whilst simultaneously “saving the planet”. Jean-Pascal Gond, Professor of Corporate Social Responsibility at Cass, warned that these unreasonable expectations will be betrayed in practice as they ignore the wider societal context outside of organisations – as well as the underlying rules of a capitalist society. A more realistic way of seeing CSR is as an “essentially contested concept” with contradictions which must be embraced for it to be a transformative force, he said.

Outspoken Bobby Banerjee, Professor of Management at Cass, argued that the organisation in its current form is an inappropriate agent for social change and CSR has become an ideological tool used to legitimise bad business behaviour. “Greenwashing” is not the issue, he argued, as consumers can see straight through it. The problem is when CSR is used with the complicity of the state as a weapon, to extract, exclude and expulse the most vulnerable communities and resources, he said.

A more optimistic presentation followed, with Laszlo Zsolnai of Corvinus University speaking on how an opportunistic use of ethics is counterproductive – but when businesses collaborate to create mutually-beneficial “virtuous circles”, everyone wins.

The afternoon session saw Bruno Roche from Mars, Incorporated talk about the interesting link between spirituality and economics – as well as Mars’ convincing CSR progress. Executive Director of CSR Europe Stefan Crets presented on the importance of integrating CSR into the core business strategy, a trend which is thankfully on the rise.

Marie d’Huart from Belgian CSR consultancy Cap Conseil talked about her much-discussed article ‘The Loneliness of the CSR Manager’. Often, she argued, CSR experts are blocked by the same people that hired them. It is key to “endorse your social responsibility” and business schools must take responsibility for downplaying this problem in their courses, she said.

The day finished with some inspiring words from President of the Executive committee, Federal Ministry for Mobility & Transports and Solvay at ULB, Laurent Ledoux. His principles for an ideal CSR strategy also extend into his own team management principles. Intrinsic equality, personal growth and a capacity to self-direct should be part of a new way of governing.

It was one of the liveliest debates I have been to and certainly provided food for thought. It was good to be reminded of what CSR can achieve – but also that it is healthy to remain sceptical at all times when it comes to sustainability claims and unsustainable business practices.

Blog by Bárbara Mendes-Jorge, Junior Consultant at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult.

All material relating to the event is available on the Louvain School of Management website.

Tweet Meaningfully: Sustainability Consult’s Social Media Tips

2014-02-25T16:13:00.000+01:00

January’s interactive Sustainability Communications Lunch made clear that many Brussels-based sustainability communications professionals were keen to discuss social media in more depth. At this month’s Lunch, I gave some tips on how to tweet with a purpose, before inviting attendees to engage in a more wide-ranging debate.

Live-tweeting, something which I have previously written about for the Thoughtshower blog, was the main topic of discussion. My recent blog post was republished by PR Daily and got good pick-up on social media.

Although the advice in that post was fairly basic and targeting a professional audience, it struck a chord with many other people – many of whom thanked me for providing tips in time to live-tweet the Super Bowl!

At this month’s Lunch, I expanded on my five basic tips – use the hashtag, tag relevant accounts, engage with others, don’t over-tweet and take pictures.

After presenting on the benefits of social media management systems like Hootsuite for scheduling posts and for media monitoring, the floor was opened up for debate. Topics discussed included Follow Fridays, when to use hashtags, the difference between an automatic and manual retweet and how useful Facebook and Twitter adverts really are.

Much of the debate centred on what to tweet about and how to justify time spent on social media to clients or colleagues. At Sustainability Consult, we believe it is essential to draw up a social media strategy and agree with the client on clear guidelines about who to follow, what to post about (and what not to post about) and how often.

This initial work will save time in the future, provides clarification and reassurance and ensures that you are not tweeting in a vacuum, but having a clear, authoritative voice when engaging your community online.

The next Sustainability Consult Lunch is scheduled for Monday 24 March. We’ll send more information over closer to the date. Thanks to everyone who attended and asked interesting questions in what was a very fruitful session.

Blog by Bárbara Mendes-Jorge, Junior Consultant at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult.

Sustainability Consult offers social media packages alongside a range of other sustainability communications and PR services. For more information, check out our website.

Five Tips For Framing Captivating Communications

2014-02-20T09:52:00.001+01:00

Framing your communications is important if you want to engage your

Value Groups – Source: Common Cause

audience. This is even more vital when communicating on issues rather than marketing products or brands.

Here are five tips for framing communications successfully:

1. Understand The Values Of Your Audience

Everybody has standards of behaviour and an idea of what is important in life. Framing communications stimulates these values.

Unsure of your audience’s fundamental values? Why not go ahead and ask? In this age of social media and the sharing economy, many successful brands do just that.

2. Use Frames To Motivate Values

Framing a painting focuses attention on the artwork it surrounds. By framing a campaign, values are stimulated that can motivate engagement.

“A frame isn't simply a slogan repeated over and over again,” says Frameworks Institute. “When new facts are submitted that do not resonate with the [values] we hold, it is the facts that are rejected, not the frames.”

3. Stimulate Intrinsic Values

Everyone holds both intrinsic and extrinsic values. However, studies show intrinsic values are more prominent across diverse backgrounds because they are gratifying to pursue. This is why research, led by Common Cause, argues that promoting intrinsic values results in communications which are not only ethical but also more effective.

4. Framing Similar Values Gets Results

Communications should be consistent in their messaging. Framing your message with conflicting values will disengage audiences. So communicate a coherent set of values.

For instance, food is not only a source of nutrition. It can also be socially ethical, a form of expression and can help build community. However, by reinforcing mixed values such as creativity and family security, a campaign may confuse audiences.

5. Embrace The Challenge

It is more difficult to pitch a product to consumers who do not want it. This is why many campaigns opt for the ‘easy sell’ approach, often using financial and material incentives. These encourage extrinsic values, which in the long-term can hamper sustainable behaviour.

We believe that sustainability communications should be consistent, transparent and ethical. Don’t shy away from offering a more honest picture in your communications. Promoting the wider issues rather than products can motivate change more than you might think.

Blog by Richard Delahay, Communications Assistant at Sustainability Consult.

Why The Sharing Economy Offers A Bright Future

2014-02-14T11:51:00.000+01:00

The sharing economy in action at The Big Swap

Charity shops and flea markets have long offered opportunities for sharing and recycling. Recently, though, an exciting new trend has crept into the mainstream. Called ‘The Sharing Economy’, new marketplaces, most of them online, encourage people to share rather than consume.

The Sustainability Consult ‘Big Swap’ and ‘The Good Library’ are both examples of the sharing economy in action.

Successful Sharing

Before the internet, renting or recycling resources could be more trouble than it was worth unless it was done in an informal way in the neighbourhood.

Clothing, furniture, travel and accommodation are all easy to share online. Freecycle is one of the largest networks out there for donating unwanted items. It is non-profit, as are many others but there are other models that promote the sharing economy. Yerdle, RelayRides and Airbnb are connecting thousands of people to give away items or to share resources, like spare rooms.

All are established platforms, easy to use, but most are American. This is fast changing because the European sharing economy is catching on.

Re-Commerce Or Peer-To-Peer?

There are two models that currently dominate the sharing economy. ‘Re-commerce’ provides a middleman between buyer and seller. For example, a third-party buys the goods to better control the customer experience. However, there is added cost because of inventory, which needs to be managed.

‘Peer-to-peer’ models connect people who have something with those who want to use it. Emerging digital technologies make it easier to connect the buyer and seller directly. Ouishare is a prime example of a successful peer-to-peer marketplace.

A Creative Commons For Materials?

This model of sharing via social networks fosters communities. But does it yet offer enough competition for larger companies that have a stranglehold on consumers?

“There’s a lot of peer-to-peer work going on, but it’s not very well versed around issues like cooperative organisation, formal or legal forms of ownership,” says John Restakis. Restakis, a writer and expert on cooperatives, peer production and the sharing community, argues that these new models could finance a commons-oriented approach to material production. This would allow social co-ops and start-ups to embrace the sharing economy on an industrial scale.

There are obvious benefits for the environment. Digital marketplaces make acting sustainably a lot simpler. If the sharing economy continues to develop then there will be less waste for landfill and fewer new goods will be consumed.

Technology has reduced costs and social media makes sharing assets easier than ever. The sharing economy offers a bright future and in many ways we’re already there.

Blog by Richard Delahay, Communications Assistant at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult.

Energy Is The Missing Link At Sochi

2014-02-06T17:46:00.000+01:00

No end of Facebook and Twitter posts have been denouncing the gay rights situation in Russia, linking it to the Winter Olympics in Sochi. Stray dogs have been rounded up and destroyed, leading to further dismay online. Journalists have made us laugh with their tweets on the awful hotel accommodation in Sochi.

I certainly share the blogosphere’s concerns about gay rights and animal rights. We have done pro-bono work on gay marriage in the UK and I’m proud that our client AT&T was the first Olympic advertiser to come out with a clear statement against homophobia in Russia on their company blog. However, I can’t help feeling that all this outrage is missing one important piece of the puzzle - our dependence on energy exports from Russia.

While there have been some high-profile boycotts from Commissioner Reding - among others - I fear that the reason Europe doesn’t take more of a stand on the Russian civil rights situation is that we are over a barrel on gas and natural resources. If Europe was more self-sufficient on energy, we would not be so beholden to imports and could take a more courageous stand on human rights issues.

What will it take for Europe to embrace renewable energy on a much larger scale? Not imports from Russia, not homegrown coal and not shale gas but locally-sourced renewable energy. The new proposed EU 2030 climate and strategy puts forward a 27% target for renewable energy by 2030. The European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) called the proposal unambitious.

Yesterday (5 February), the European Parliament rejected the Commission's proposal and called for binding targets with a 30% target for renewables. Although that’s hardly a dramatic increase from 27%, it does send a clear signal to policymakers that Europe needs to be more ambitious.

I believe it’s right to protest about human rights abuses in Russia but let’s not lose sight of the bigger picture. Europe needs to be more energy self-sufficient and less dependant on energy imports if we want to act as a global statesman on human rights issues.

Blog by Sustainability Consult CEO, Kathryn Sheridan

My First Month With Sustainability Consult

2014-02-05T09:39:00.002+01:00

After a busy and exciting first month with Sustainability Consult, I’d like to share

A light show at the City Hall

my first experiences of living and working in the Belgian capital.

Before moving to Brussels I worked for the communications team of global children’s NGO Plan. My time at their UK HQ sparked my interest in international development so it was a natural step to want to learn about sustainability and how communities and businesses can work towards a more sustainable economy. I wanted to work for Sustainability Consult so I could gain hands-on experience of how to run a sustainable business and to build on my communications experience.

Working as PA to our CEO, Kathryn Sheridan, has provided me with invaluable experience in how to run a small, responsible business. I’ve dived head first into administration, accounts and gained insight into new business development. I’m looking forward to the challenges that the next months will bring!

A highlight of my first month was Green Drinks Brussels. Green Drinks is organised by Sustainability Consult for the EU environment community. As a recent graduate and newcomer to the city, it was the perfect opportunity to seek career tips, share experiences and pick up insider advice on what to see and do in the area. Getting to know Brussels’ environment community boosted my motivation to learn more about sustainability and I can’t wait for the next event.

The Ixelles ponds

Overall, my first month has been full of surprises. I didn’t expect to find such a vibrant and eclectic city. It has been a pleasure to explore the stunning Art Nouveau architecture and to discover Brussels’ underground culture through its fascinating street art. As a self-confessed foodie, I’ve lapped up the opportunity to visit the many markets and delicatessens that can be found across Brussels’s diverse communities. I hope my next month will be filled with many more exciting cultural discoveries. Here’s to February!

The Christmas market on the Rue du Marché aux Herbes

The Horta Museum

The Grand Place

Blog by Fionna McLauchlan, PA to CEO at Sustainability Consult on her first month supporting the Sustainability Consult Team

Europe and Green Politics: “When you are motivated, you can deliver a good job”

2014-01-30T13:18:00.000+01:00

Image courtesy of Maria Nitzsch Hastrup

Last week, I attended a Q&A session with Bas Eickhout MEP on ‘A Career in European Environmental Politics’. Hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Brussels Environmental Interns Network, the event felt timely, given that the European Commission announced its 2030 climate and energy package the next day.

Eickhout is a young but experienced Dutch politician, Vice-President and Treasurer of the Greens/EFA Group. An environmental scientist by training, Eickhout emerged from the Netherlands as a biofuels spokesperson and co-authored the IPCC’s report on climate change in 2007. He said this passion for sustainability and climate change was what led him into European politics.

“Sustainable policies are here to stay”

Discussion naturally started with the EU’s Climate and Energy package, which Eickhout was pessimistic about (the proposals have since been announced). A report outlining the impact of renewables on consumer energy costs was set to be released at the same time as the package and Eickhout hoped it would find that clean energy is not to blame for high energy prices.

He also believes that the fossil industry is weak despite the UK’s support for natural gas and Germany’s reliance on renewables coming into question. Indeed, since the event, the EU announced a binding renewable energy target, albeit only 27%. This will also be a blow and indications are that carbon taxes will damage fossil fuel demand.

“Innovation is driven by policymakers”

It is key that governments use their role to support innovative technology to limit climate change, said Eickhout. “The interaction of science and policymaking is crucial and politicians should not be discouraged to move back into science if that’s where they began their career.”

“The problem lies in the middle”

When asked about the resurgence of far-right parties and their threat to Europe and environmental policy, Eickhout said middle parties should not move in the direction of the sceptics. He cited the Conservative Party in the UK as an example. They have sought to win back voters from UKIP by moving further right in terms of immigration and Europe. Far-right wing politics will always exist, said Eickhout, but will not trouble Europe if liberal politicians and centrist parties stay true to themselves.

“These politicians need to stay grounded in their policies”

Eickhout’s main point was that to make a mark in politics you need to focus on what you feel strongly about. “I always took decisions following my own heart.” If you do a good job at this and make a name for yourself, you can then build a network by campaigning in different areas. Eickhout also stressed the importance of acknowledging the small victories whilst fighting for big advances.

Image courtesy of Maria Nitzsch Hastrup

This was a strong message to the vibrant audience of international interns. I am very much looking forward to future events like this and more opportunities to share ideas with environmental trainees.

Blog by Richard Delahay, Communications Assistant at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult.

Sustainability Communications Lunch: Top Tips for Success

2014-01-29T09:10:00.000+01:00

This month’s Sustainability Communications Lunch was a hotbed of discussion and advice. The first Lunch of 2014 focused on communications challenges and what could be learned from them. A lively group of communications professionals were keen to share their tips for success.

Another lively Sustainability Communications Lunch

Here are just a few of them

1/ Newsletters can still be relevant

News turnaround is now so quick that waiting a month to publish updates can be a waste of time. So when you have news, communicate it, rather than fixing a certain schedule. Content that is relevant and not expected will have added impact. After all, content is king and this keeps your network engaged.

Many members of the group agreed that newsletters are still relevant. Some organisations are using a sponsorship model with newsletters themed around relevant topics with guest editors and sponsors.

By rethinking your approach, newsletters subscribers will continue to care about your communications.

2/ Make the most of webinars

Sharing advice and tips
for communication

Webinars are a great tool to share knowledge. Online training is a big market in the US. Europe is lagging behind so there is potential for development. Our experience shows that having a moderator to facilitate the question and answer session helps the webinar run smoothly.

Making past presentations available online by posting the slides and voiceover on YouTube is another way to extend the useful life of a presentation. Which leads us to our next point…

3/ Video press releases have great potential

Video gets great pick-up and trade press is always looking for audiovisual content. If you can release your news by video as well as on paper, then do so. A creative and global approach will make more of a splash.

4/ You can use social media without bias

It can be challenging to find your voice on social media if your aim is not to lobby or push policy. One of the group’s objectives on social media is to inform rather than lobby.

So how do you stay neutral on social media?

5/ Cover your bases without disengaging

Facebook works well for NGOs and consumer brands but its use is limited for policy groups and trade associations. Twitter and Linkedin are more standard channels for professional networking and communication.

However, some regions like Africa use Facebook more than other social networks. If you work with stakeholders all across the globe then you should tailor your posts to suit their preferred channels. For example, you can post an ‘Image of the Day’ on Facebook. Frame your stories so that they jump to the top of the page.

6/ Bad communications are worse than no communications

As communications experts, we have to be ready to challenge assumptions and the Sustainability Communications Lunch is just the place to do that. When you make a good contact, it’s not enough just to put their contacts into a database when you can follow them on Twitter as well.

We recommend using social media scheduling systems such as Hootsuite. We also discussed Facebook and Google ads as a great, low-cost tool. Social media is more than a numbers game. Shares and retweets are more important than number of followers.

7/ Be heard at events

You can stand out at events without micro-blogging on Twitter but live-tweeting is one of the best ways to develop your community. We often find that there are still only a handful of people tweeting at events. You are bound to get retweets and real world interactions if you can start a conversation on Twitter.

Should you tweet through a personal account or a business profile?

A mix of both works best. Think in terms of soundbites. Find your voice and use a personal Twitter account to be a thoughtleader.

Many of the themes above will be the focus of future lunches. If you would like to find out more please get in touch.

Blog by Richard Delahay, Communications Assistant at Brussels-based sustainability communications and PR agency Sustainability Consult