Invest Long Term for Sustainability, Climate & Behavioural Change

“Many Japanese companies have a long-term
approach. Fujitsu’s sustainability policy is out to 2100,” the Company’s Global
Sustainability head Alison Rowe told delegates at the Climate Change &
Business Conference in Wellington last week. This makes it easier to deal with
issues such as climate change that have such a long time horizon to realise
benefits of investment and changed behaviour. And electric vehicles could be a
great solution for households here looking for an economical second car for around-town
driving, as New Zealand has the second highest rate of car ownership per
capita, behind the United States.

Climate Change and Business Conference, Wellington
(2 August 2011):

In business offices around Japan, executives
are not wearing ties. The historically conservative country has adopted a “no
ties” trend as a means to be more comfortable in the workplace and therefore
reduce the need for air conditioning, and the electricity required to drive it.

The behaviour change has come in response to
the continued intermittent power outages following the March earthquake and
nuclear generator accident. But, as Alison Rowe, Global Executive Head Sustainability
at Fujitsu, says, this is a very Japanese response. “Japanese believe in the
community and will voluntarily do what is necessary to address a community
concern or goal,” said Ms Rowe.

Speaking this morning at the 7th
Australia-New Zealand Climate Change & Business Conference, Ms Rowe
outlined Japan’s policy response to climate change and the impact this has on
business.

Japan has taken leading action on climate
change, committing to reduce emissions by 25% by 2020 and indicating an
intention to start an emissions trading scheme. This commitment remains, despite
the major nuclear accident and the resulting economic and energy supply impact acknowledging
a major review of energy policy is underway.

Ms Rowe said business has welcomed the moves
by the government, viewing the climate change initiatives as guidelines to a
voluntary response. “In Japan, you don’t have to develop a new business case
for sustainability, per se, as sustainability is an inbuilt part of business
operations, values and the community,” said Ms. Rowe. “Initiatives to reduce
emissions and improve efficiency are part of our day to day operations.”

Japan tends to have a very long term planning
horizon which takes into account some of the more difficult issues like climate
change. “Many Japanese companies, including Fujitsu, have a long-term approach.

Fujitsu’s sustainability policy is out to
2100,” explained Ms Rowe. “This makes it easier to deal with issues such as
climate change that have such a long time horizon to realise benefits of
investment and changed behaviour”.

Ms Rowe was speaking at the Climate Change
& Business Conference which continues in Wellington today. The event hosts
more than 300 delegates with approximately 70 business and policy experts presenting
on implications of climate change and best practice response.

Wellington (2 August 2011):

Electric vehicles could be a great solution
for New Zealand households looking for an economical second car for around-town
driving.

New Zealand has the second highest rate of
car ownership per capita, behind the United States. And at 52%, New Zealand has
one of the highest rates of households owning 2 cars or more.

These unexpected statistics were revealed by
Elizabeth Yeaman, Manager of Transport Partnerships at New Zealand’s Energy
Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) as part of a discussion on
transport at the 7th Australia-New Zealand Climate Change & Business
Conference.

In discussing the uptake of electric
vehicles, Ms Yeaman commented “Electric vehicles are used most for around-town
commuting rather than long family outings, so the fact that New Zealand has one
of the highest levels of car ownership and number of 2-car families would
indicate there is plenty of room for use of electric vehicles.”

Also speaking at the session was Kristian
Handberg, Project Manager of Low Emissions Vehicles for the Victorian
Department of Transport in Australia. Mr Handberg gave details of Victoria’s
electric vehicle trial which, although at an early stage, has been successful.
“People love using their electric vehicles,” said Mr Handberg. “Initial
concerns about restricted range have dissipated once users try the car and
become accustomed to how it works and recharges.”

The Victorian government launched its
Electric Vehicle Trial in 2010 to help Victoria better understand the process,
timelines and barriers for transitioning to electric vehicle technologies. The
trial, which finishes in 2014, is seeking a total of 180 households to take an
electric vehicle for three months each. “The early results have been
encouraging” said Mr Handberg, “with positive feedback on driving the vehicles,
the ease of use and the acceptance of the range limitations.”

Wellington City is also running an electric
vehicle program. In September 2010, Wellington became the first New Zealand
city to trial production electric cars with the launch of a fleet of eight
battery-powered Mistubishi electric vehicles. The cars are being used by the
City Council, Meridian Energy, The Wellington Company and New Zealand Post. The
four-seater, battery-powered Mistubishi iMiEV has a range of up to 155km and
zero drive-time emissions.

“We love our electric vehicles,” says Chris
Cameron, Principal Advisor on climate change for Wellington City Council. “They
are fun to drive, quick off the mark and make you feel incredibly good knowing
there are zero emissions.”

Ms. Yeaman and Mr Handberg were speaking at
the Climate Change & Business Conference which continues in Wellington
today. The event hosts more than 300 delegates with approximately 70 business and
policy experts presenting on implications of climate change and best practice
response.

Source: www.climateandbusiness.com