Life’s a beach

The battle against climate change is a war which needs to be fought on several fronts. Our people are in the trenches (literally on many projects) and strategising in the war room (office) but recently the front line was….the beach!

It’s estimated that 8 to 13 million tonnes of plastic enters the world’s oceans every year and, inevitably, much of it ends up on beaches. At current rates plastic is expected to outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050. In the UK, there are upwards of 5000 individual items of plastic pollution per mile of beach. Shocking, isn’t it?

Plastics pollution has a direct and deadly effect on wildlife. Thousands of seabirds and sea turtles, seals and other marine mammals are killed each year after ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it.

The spokesperson for Surfers Against Sewage is on BBC Breakfast speaks about the work we are supporting. If you would like to skip to the specific section Item starts 1 hour, 14 mins and 30 secs into the programme.

That’s why we’ve joined the SAS (Surfers Against Sewage - not the elite army unit, just in case you’re still stuck in the war analogy) and their ‘Million Mile Clean’ campaign. The aim is to make the UK a “cleaner, greener place for everyone to enjoy” by mobilising 100,000 people for beach cleans across the country each year.

One of our supporting initiatives is the SSE “Be The Difference Day” which encourages every SSE employee a day a year to give something back to the community or the environment through our 'be the difference initiative'. 

So far in 2023, SSE teams have joined efforts to clean two large beaches - Ayr beach, on Scotland’s West coast and Hengistbury Beach and Head, in Bournemouth. There was no shortage of volunteers for both gatherings. Sadly, there was also no shortage of plastic for those volunteers to collect.

8.31 miles covered collectively by 26 volunteers collecting 21 bags of rubbish weighing just over 250kg        

This year we’re planning to make a big noise about our whole systems approach to tackling the climate emergency and I believe working with the likes of SAS is a legitimate part of that.

Beach cleaning also has wider benefits for those who take part. Research has suggested that getting involved in pro-environmental activities or just getting out and being active in nature can help lower blood pressure, reduce stress and improve mood, but there is also evidence to suggest it can help eliminate fatigue, boost focus and even improve short-term memory.

SAS’s campaign also reconnects communities with the environment and our participation helps to connect us to those communities, as well as helping to clean up our oceans. I call that a win, win, win.

A holistic approach to environmental challenges, sustainability and reaching net zero.

As part of our focus on taking the UK on a journey to net zero we believe that a multiple layered approach is the only way we will reach our collective goals.

Our Whole Systems Thinking approach is at the core of everything we do and focuses on energy systems and infrastructure to get businesses ready and futureproof them for the transition.

We also recognise the importance of supporting regions alongside local government and authorities to ensure they have the knowledge, tools and technologies they need to support their businesses and deliver a just transition.

What is Just Transition?

Just transition refers to the idea of transitioning from a high-carbon economy to a low-carbon economy in a way that is fair and equitable for all members of society. It is based on the understanding that the shift towards a sustainable and climate-resilient future should not come at the expense of workers and communities that depend on fossil fuels for their livelihoods. Rather, it should be a collaborative effort that ensures a smooth and inclusive transition for all stakeholders.

A just transition requires a range of policies and initiatives, including job training programs, retraining opportunities, and support for affected workers and communities. It also involves investing in new technologies and industries, such as renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, that can provide new employment opportunities and contribute to the growth of local economies. By ensuring that the transition to a low-carbon economy is fair and just, we can create a more sustainable and resilient future for all, while also ensuring that no one is left behind.

Look out for more regional activity from SSE Energy Solutions as we continue to support areas of the UK and Ireland.