Businesses And Climate Change: The Low Carbon Pledge With Mark Foley

With Mark Foley, CEO of EirGrid Group.

Why did your company sign the Low Carbon pledge?

EirGrid signed the Low Carbon Pledge because we firmly believe that climate change is the biggest threat that our business, our country, and our planet are facing today. For me, the fact that the signatory companies are a veritable who’s who of Ireland’s top businesses across such a diversity of sectors is what makes it impactful.

The first report comes out today, what are the key calls to action, what more must be done?

The report highlights the great strides being made by some of Ireland’s leading companies. I think we should take time to celebrate all that has been achieved and commend both businesses in the Community and the 47 signatory companies in getting to this point. However, it is my personal ambition that we can kick on from here and start the conversation about embracing an ever greater ambition for 2030, whether that is through increasing the number of signatory companies or increasing the target – or a combination of both. I suggest this is only the start of a process whereby business must stand up, take responsibility and lead in the fight against climate change.

What are your future ambitions for the pledge?

As I mentioned above, I think we need to increase the ambition of the pledge both in terms of the number of signatories and the carbon reduction percentage. We need to widen the pool and inspire as many companies as possible across Ireland to get involved. We should also look at spreading the Low Carbon Pledge model across other European business networks. I spoke at a CSR Europe event in Brussels in May to highlight the pledge to pan-European business leaders and to inspire them to carry out similar multi-sectoral collaborations.

What is the role of business in tackling climate change?

We in business often look to Government and policy makers to solve the problems of the economy and society. I think it is time that business played its part in terms of affirmative action in the battle against climate change. Businesses can provide real leadership and can use their extensive resource base and influence to drive real and lasting change. By this I mean “walking the talk” and being prepared to transform their companies into exemplars for others to follow and not leaving the problem for others to solve.

Any tips for businesses on how to do more in this area?

I think that the best asset that a company has is its employees. EirGrid employees are incredibly engaged in the sustainability agenda, and bring a wealth of skills and knowledge to this whole area. We have a company-wide ‘Green Team’, comprising interested volunteers across the business. I am constantly impressed by the number of practical ideas generated by this group, alongside their drive and enthusiasm to make real change. The best piece of advice I can give is to look to your employees to lead the way.

How can people find out more about you & your work?

You can read about our work to help Ireland achieve its  renewable energy targets at: http://www.eirgridgroup.com/how-the-grid-works/ds3-programme/; and about our environmental achievements under the ‘Preservation’ of our CSR strategy here: http://www.eirgridgroup.com/about/in-the-community/csr/csr-preservation/index.xml    You can also follow us on @eirgrid on Twitter and LinkedIn

I can be reached at @markfoleyce on Twitter.

Anything else you’d like to add / we should have asked?

One thing that inspires me about Business in the Community Ireland is the diversity of companies that are involved; There is a genuine desire to collaborate in the fight against climate change and this is a first for Ireland.  I am firmly of the view that the next decade will be defined by collaboration on a scale never seen before, as government, business and society at large start to converge on a common vision for the economy and society, one that has no place for carbon.

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