An online EVENT organised by Age of Light Innovations
on Thursday 9th December, from 4pm – 5.30pm
Register for Drivers for Change here
“If you assume that there is no hope, you guarantee that there will be no hope. If you assume that there are opportunities to change things, then there is a possibility that you can contribute to a better world.”
Noam Chomsky
(and thanks to Guy Singh-Watson of Riverford Organic Farmers for the reference)
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is clear about one thing: the time for action is NOW.
What will that mean in practice? And what’s the Bigger Picture?
Perhaps before we ask about the drivers that are needed to make changes in the way that we do things, we should ask why we feel that such change is necessary. Perhaps the first question needs to be . . .
What are the Drivers OF Change?
.
We turn to the European Environmental Agency for their take on the situation. The recent EEA report ‘Drivers of change of relevance for Europe’s environment and sustainability‘ identifies SIX clusters of activity that will impact on the way that we go about our business, go about our lives. These thematic clusters are based on the STEEPV framework (i.e. Society, Technology, Economy, Environment, Politics and Values) – so there’s something there for everyone!
We’ve taken the six headlines form the Clusters and added comments relating directly to the UK lighting sector and our more widespread industry partners
CLUSTER 1: A growing, urbanising and migrating global population
We have an ageing European population; extreme climate impact will move millions of people to ‘safer’ parts of the world, particularly in the north; the shift in populations will increase global urban populations.
We’re already seeing the pressure on housing provision and this will only continue to grow, And every dwelling will need efficient – and good quality – lighting. This should not become an opportunity for the chancers and the cowboys. Moving forward we cannot afford waste and inefficiency.
CLUSTER 2: Climate change and environmental degradation worldwide and ecosystems
Environmental degradation will put pressure on biodiversity brings with it increased risk of pollution.
The underlying message around environmental degradation is that we need to learn to DO LESS and to LIVE WITH LESS. That will impact the way that we design and manufacture lighting fixtures and how we use those fixtures in our projects.
CLUSTER 3: Increasing scarcity of and global competition for resources
A growing demand for energy; increased demand for material resources; increased demand for land – food – water.
We haven’t yet joined up the dots between having a supply chain crisis caused by delays in manufacture and the delays that will come about when resources genuinely become scarce. So many of our ‘solutions’ depend on hi-tech interventions requiring more and more natural resources, such as lithium. The Earth’s store cupboard is emptying, not filling; we’ve gone beyond the point of replenishment.
CLUSTER 4: Accelerating technological change and convergence
A developing landscape of technological innovation with acceleration of hyperconnectivity and digitalisation.
For a technological sector like the modern lighting industry, this is a reiteration of previous clusters. We MUST learn to work with less; to be less wasteful; to include circularity and remanufacture in our design and specification thinking.
CLUSTER 5: Power shifts in the global economy and geopolitical landscape
Global changes in economic power; with contrasting fortunes amid the tensions and uncertainties of political power structures.
We don’t spend much time thinking about who actually controls the flow of materials. Every now and again we hear about threats from Russia to turn off the gas-tap feeding Europe. What we’re not seeing is the immediate future threat of powerful states rationing or closing down access to vital hi-tech materials that we use within our equipment.
CLUSTER 6: Diversifying values, lifestyles and governance approaches
Changes in lifestyles, working patterns and learning opportunities; shifting health and social challenges; shifting attitudes towards political and social governance.
Cluster 6 brings it all together and reminds us that EVERYTHING changes. All of the things that we’ve spoken of here inform the way we function in our daily life, not just as the lighting sector, but our home lives and our social structures.
.
The Drivers for Change round table discussion will ask – and seek answers to – questions about how we shift to a more sustainable way of doing business in the UK construction sector. Here’s quote from one of our speakers:
Simon Wyatt, director, Sustainability with Cundall says: We get lots of interest when we explain how investing in better-quality environments can transform productivity and sustainability – but then we get the response ‘it’s not in my budget – that’s OpEx not CapEx ‘. We need to join the dots if we want to improve human and environmental performance.’
.
An online EVENT organised by Age of Light Innovations
on Thursday 9th December, from 4pm – 5.30pm
Register for Drivers for Change here
.
Drivers for Change is part of the Luna Pro project, making the business case for healthy lighting, supported by Bios, Glamox Luxonic, Phos, Seoul Semiconductor, Signify and Zumtobel. .
.
