Hear how T J International use the low carbon economy to save money - Click here 
Hear how Calidus Engineering use low carbon economy to make money - Click here 
Hear an interview with Minister of State for Business, Innovation & Skills, Mark Prisk, talking about the low carbon economy - Click here

Visit our photo gallery from the "Innovation, Enterprise and the Low Carbon Economy" event held in January this year. Click here

The Oxford Innovation Low Carbon Roadmap to Profit

Oxford Innovation understands about running businesses.  You never have enough time, pressure on cash is enormous and with the current economic climate you are focused on the next six months rather than the impact of climate change in 2050.  That's why we focus on a profit-driven agenda that helps you save money and make money from the low carbon economy. 

So what is the Low Carbon Economy?

Whether we like it or not, EU and UK climate change legislation is shaping the economy.  The UK is committed to producing 15% of its energy from renewable sources and reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 34% by 2020.  To achieve this UK Government says;
"The vast majority, if not all, economic activity in Britain will have to reduce its carbon impact significantly." Lord Marland, Department of Energy and Climate Change, said at our Low Carbon Conference that the Government will use carrots and sticks to achieve this. Whatever your business you will have to find ways to cut carbon out of your day to day operations.  The good news is that regulation also provides new markets as businesses and consumers look for low carbon goods and services.  And the incentives are there to help businesses strive for growth but with a lesser environmental impact.

How does this affect my business?

A key component of the low carbon economy will be the transition from fossil fuels to low carbon alternatives such as renewables and nuclear for energy.  This will be expensive and paid for by us, the consumers.  Meanwhile, the UK is dependent on importing fuel from politically unstable countries where recent unrest has contributed to oil prices rocketing to over $100 a barrel.  High oil prices have a knock-on effect throughout global economies.  Energy prices are predicted to rise, maybe by 60% by 2016.   Questions we could help you answer include: Are you on the right tariff to start with?  How could you cut your energy usage?  What are the low-cost, no-cost actions you could take immediately?  What is the real return on investment for energy efficient equipment?  Could you generate your own electricity?

The majority of public sector and large corporate businesses have carbon targets and environmental management systems (EMS). As part of this strategy, all their suppliers have to prove their environmental credentials too, preferably with ISO14001 or similar (ask your OI coach for further details).   Are you risking losing tenders by not having an EMS? 

As well as top-down target-driven procurement, what about bottom-up consumer demand?  Do you understand your markets?  Research undertaken by the Carbon Trust shows that 65% of consumers say it is important to buy goods and services from environmentally responsible companies.  Since M & S have implemented their Sustainability Plan A they have found that if made affordable and accessible, consumers will choose the option with less environmental impact.   Have you adapted to the market? Are your competitors ahead of the game? 

The Oxford Innovation Low Carbon Roadmap to Profit

Whether you are new to the low carbon economy and sustainability or carbon is a permanent fixture on your board agenda, Oxford Innovation can help you on the next step of the journey.  Our premise is that the low carbon economy is about great opportunities for profit for you, your people and the environment and we will show you how.  Contact your Oxford Innovation coach or if your business is not yet with us, then contact our office at 0808 1680405

Meanwhile, don't forget to sign up for our "Sustainable Profit - An energy update for your business" with case studies, latest policy matters affecting your business and the best top 10 tips to give your business competitive advantage, by entering your email address in the Newsletter Signup box at the top of the page .

The Environmental bit....

Oxford Innovation is here to help your business grow. That's why we focus on a profit-driven agenda that helps you save money and make money from the low carbon economy.  However, it is nice to know that by reducing your energy use, smart resource efficiency and cutting carbon out of your business process you are not only saving money you are doing your bit for the environment too.  And businesses that care for their environment and their impact on others are good places to work.  Getting everyone involved across the business can be motivating and rewarding bringing improved productivity, staff retention and attract new talent.