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Latest Blog Posts
- The Government has confirmed that any plans to roll out Display Energy Certificates (DECs) to private sector buildings have been entirely abandoned. Instead, such buildings will only be required to display the measurement of the design, rather than the more…
- A survey by the Guardian Sustainable Business on Consumer Attitudes and Perceptions on Sustainability - September 2010 has reported that, in answering the question 'What's the single most important thing a company could do to convince you that it's reducing its carbon footprint?',…
- Tim Berners-Lee recently spoke out at a conference, to share his idea that everyone should have basic access to the internet for free. The inventor of the Net argued that being connected to an information network would allow people access to healthcare…
- A recent survey by IBM has revealed that 50% of respondents rate the way in which businesses convey their sustainability policies as 'bad' or 'very bad', with only 5% rating 'well' or 'very well'. This seems to be a prevalent problem for many organisations…
- A friend invited me to spend a couple of days crewing for him at Cowes Week (last week). It was good to be out on the water, harnessing the power of free wind energy – and posting some very respectable…
- The UK Green Building Council has published an independent report which contains a number of recommendations on the future of BREEAM, after a recent consultation with its members. BRE Global has supported the consultation process and has committed to consider and…
- A recent study published by the Environment Agency has indicated that using water recycling technologies such as greywater harvesting systems can result in a carbon emission increase of up to 40%. Whilst these types of technologies save water they often…
- Elaine Coles urges utilities to go online to win over stakeholders on their sustainable developments. For companies operating in the UK utilities sector working on projects that frequently involve sensitive issues regarding sustainable development, meaningful stakeholder engagement is fundamental to their…
- This weekend marks the 35th birthday of global warming... That is, it was 35 years ago, on 8 August 1975, when American scientist Wally Broecker first coined the term 'global warming' in a paper in the journal Science. In the…
- Hopes for a greener government will be dashed this month, according to an article published yesterday, as funding for the £20bn 10-mile tidal barrage across the Severn estuary is axed. Without government funding, the private sector is unlikely to back…
- The past week has seen a flurry of activity in the CSR world, as commentators and websites react to a story in the Wall Street Journal that put forward "The case against Corporate Social Responsibility". The article's author, Aneel Karnani, contends…
- In a recent press release, The Prince’s Accounting for Sustainability Project (A4S) and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) have announced the formation of the International Integrated Reporting Committee (IIRC) with the purpose of creating a globally accepted reporting framework that combines environmental,…
- The current political and business agenda has been heavily focused on sustainability, affecting both private and public sector strategies and projects. In particular, the issue of stakeholder engagement and consultation has received much acknowledgment as an important…
- A recent report published by the Committee on Climate Change has advised that the government needs to invest much more in low-carbon technologies if we are to meet our 80% by 2050 greenhouse gas reduction target.
- Climate change campaigners, the Guardian reports, yesterday welcomed UN plans to amend the way changes to the Kyoto protocol are made in an effort to salvage negotiations on a new international deal. Under the plans, countries could be…
- I recently attended an event run by the Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change which included, among other notable speakers, HRH The Prince of Wales himself. What struck me was not so much the calibre of the…
- The Government has today launched a consultation on how best to ensure that corporate narrative reporting consistently provides clear, coherent and relevant information - including how companies report on social and environmental issues.
- A major new report for the UN suggests that financial accounts could soon report on the environmental and social impact of an organisation, in addition to its financial standing. The report, produced by the International Union for the Conservation of…
- Stakeholder engagement is now a key part of many public and private sector projects, particularly around the issue of sustainable development. The last few years have seen a massive shift in business communications as the competitive advantages of two-way dialogue…
- For those not at July's Sustainable Business Breakfast (SBB) last week, a new article on SouthWestBusiness.co.uk provides a flavour of the main themes covered.
- The last decade has seen a seismic shift in business to business communications from hard copy to online, both at an organisational and individual level. This article explores the advantages to be gained by businesses using online communication to reach…
- It is now widely accepted that most organisations, regardless of sector or industry, must undertake stakeholder engagement (SE) if they are to thrive. Whether a formal conscious programme of engagement, or an ad hoc subconscious approach, the risks versus rewards…
- It is hard to underestimate the importance of water in the context of sustainability. Water is increasingly being talked about as the “next carbon” – exemplified by the launch in April of the CDP Water Disclosure project. This article outlines…
- Although many organisations have made a public commitment to improving the sustainability of their operations, few are communicating their intentions and progress clearly to their target audiences. Clear communication with customers, staff, suppliers and other influencers – stakeholders – plays…
- Many organisations are overlooking the opportunities offered by online evidence databases to communicate progress in their sustainable business activities to stakeholders. Given the rapidly shifting nature of organisational communications and the flexibility and accessibility of online evidence engines, this article…
- At a recent meeting with a senior executive from a large multinational corporation their opening gambit was along the lines of ‘I hope that you are not going to tell us about stakeholder engagement because we have done that’. So…
- The government’s flagship eco policy officially launched this month, and despite being a promising and innovative step in the right direction, a lack of publicity and ministerial silence has led to a growing confusion across the construction industry. The Green Deal…
- Graham Sprigg, director at IMS, recently chaired and spoke at the Sustainability Now event on CRC: Cost or Opportunity. The session included Janet Kidner, Head of Sustainability at Lend Lease and Mark Heighton, Partner at Cameron McKenna. If you missed the discussion,…
- The Committee on Climate Change last week announced the UK's target for emission reductions of 60% by 2030, requiring a transformation of the UK electricity market. Juliet Davenport, CEO of Good Energy, believes that the UK can exceed theses targets…
- The Scottish Government has launched a new consultation on proposals for Scottish Water to develop its commercial activities, take on new functions, how such developments might be financed and the structure of Scottish Water's corporate governance.Building A Hydro Nation examines…
- MBA students at Imperial College Business School have conducted interviews to explore some of the potential benefits and reputational gains from the drawing up of the CRC league tables. The research found that the largest influences on the reputational consequences of the table are:…
- Ever considered what approach your supermarket takes to palm oil, or whether your local store is run on renewable energy? As someone who works to help organisations understand and progress towards sustainability, I admit I am sometimes guilty of letting…
- Many organisations, even some of those already using it, are still skeptical about social media and the value it can add to brands. This isn't surprising, given that it doesn't fit within the boundaries of traditional marketing activities and there…
- With the dawn of the new year and the inevitable preparation of resolutions,
- With the dawn of the new year and the inevitable drawing up of resolutions, Temin and Company have selected 10 ways in which leaders can protect their reputations this year and ensure that the legacies they leave are more positive than those…
- Climate change will expose businesses and other organizations to a range of new risks and opportunities. An important strategy for managing risks and exploiting opportunities involves stakeholder engagement and communication. A business that engages and communicates effectively with its stakeholders…
- Nike's new corporate responsibility site, launched last week, has already received applause for its efforts in inviting customers to hold it accountable to its sustainability goals and offering calls-to-action where they can give feedback. Whilst a flashy website and accessible design are not crucial to the…
- Thames Water's 24-mile long, £3.6bn "super sewer" has met with much opposition following a series of consultations with local communities, who have been vocal about the company's plans to set up construction sites on public parks and green spaces rather than brownfield sites. No doubt this…
- Last week saw two examples of businesses pushing the government to make the necessary legislative changes for a low carbon economy. On 13th January, the Co-operative and 180 other organisations wrote to the Secretaries of State at DEFRA, DECC and BIS…
- Click here to read the latest issue of Communicating Sustainability, IMS Consulting's quarterly newsletter rounding up news and analysis on the latest sustainability and communications topics along with recent projects undertaken for clients.
- A new survey about why organisations report on sustainability has produced some interesting findings, some of which are extremely relevant to our work here at IMS Consulting. One of the key findings of the global survey, which asked the opinions of…
- WaterBriefing, IMS Consulting's online daily news and intelligence portal, has published an Executive Briefing on what has been described as the "biggest change in responsibility for sewerage services since 1937" – the forthcoming transfer of responsibility for private sewers and lateral drains to…
- A recent report has revealed that people mainly use online search and online news to form opinions about a brand. These information sources are now seen as the most trusted across the spectrum of online and offline media, in terms…
- Event for Sustainability Directors: Sustainability reporting in the construction sector 2nd March - LondonRegister HereFormat: Panel discussion between stakeholders from various industries linked to the construction sectorLimited number of attendeesSpeakers include: Alan Smith, director of communication for Kier Group Plc ; Shaun…
- Come join your peers for breakfast to discuss limits and best practices of sustainability reporting and third party ratings in the construction sector. 2nd March - London Register Here Format: Panel discussion between stakeholders from various industries linked to the construction…
- The government's recent defeat in the High Court over its decision to scrap England's school building programme demonstrates the vital role that consultation plays in public decision making, as six councils criticised the education secretary's lack of consultation prior to making…
- According to a recent study, there is an emerging gap between sustainability strategy leaders (embracers) and laggards (cautious adopters). Whilst many companies agree that sustainability is becoming a core element in business strategy, embracers are already building it into their activities and…
- The issue of effective supply chain management is relatively well featured at the moment as the focus on sustainability overflows beyond organisational boundaries and into the activities of suppliers and customers. There are several factors that are driving the increasing recognition of…
- Since implementing its comprehensive sustainability strategy, Ecoimagination, and commitment to doubling investment in innovation and technology five years ago, GE has saved £81 million. Ecoimagination is a business initiative aimed at building innovative solutions to meet GE's customer's demand for…
- SustainAbility's third phase of Rate the Raters has evaluated 21 ratings to identify good practice and areas for improvement. Whilst sustainability ratings are often viewed as good indicators of organisational sustainability, there have been concerns over the sheer number of ratings with each…
- A major step toward standardisation of water footprint measurement has been achieved with the issuing of a global assessment manual by the Water Footprint Network.The Water Footprint Assessment Manual complements the recently completed Global Water Footprint Standard in giving consistency…
- Earlier this week the Coalition Government announced ambitious plans for pursuing sustainability in its efforts to be the 'greenest government ever'. According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra): "The Mainstreaming Sustainable Development package will guarantee that Government policies have…
- BT has joined the ranks of organisations that are recognising the crucial role the supply chain plays in pursuing sustainability by introducing a climate change procurement standard to ensure all suppliers are working at reducing their emissions. The standard requires suppliers…
- The two-minute video, specially commissioned for International Women’s Day, sees 007 star Daniel Craig undergo a dramatic makeover as he puts himself, quite literally,in a woman’s shoes. In the film ‘M’ interrogates Bond with a series of searching questions on gender…
- Following the success of its Plan A, Marks & Spencer has announced plans to open one of the UK's most sustainable retail outlets at Ecclesall Road in Sheffield. The store, due to open in April, will be the first of…
- "The carbon reduction commitment (CRC) league table should be scrapped because it provides irrelevant and misleading information and penalises businesses which grow through being more energy efficient", says Liam Newcombe, chief technology officer for Romonet. The table, to be released in…
- Google has demonstrated how the internet can be powerfully harnessed in the event of a crisis, with the launch of its Person Finder tool to help Japan’s earthquake and tsunami victims. The tool helps individuals locate loved ones by allowing them…
- Given the crucial role marketing and communication plays in educating consumers in decision-making, driving business competition and building brand reputations, Defra has put together a good practice guide for green claims. Based on the premise that the value of environmental claims…
- The country’s first ever mobile phone application that provides the public with flood warnings has been launched. The Environment Agency is making increasing use of new technology and social media to notify people about floods. ‘Flood Alert’ uses live data from…
- Stakeholder engagement is now a key part of many public and private sector projects, particularly around the issue of sustainable development. The past few years have seen a huge shift in business communications as the competitive advantages of two-way dialogue…
- The consultation on fast-track review of Feed-in Tariffs for small scale low carbon electricity was published today (18th of March) and will be open for responses until 6th of May 2011. Full details are available on the Department of Climate…
- The UK-GBC has called on its 330 members to disclose their carbon footprints and calculate full-life carbon for buildings as part of a drive to cut the emissions of the built environment by 50% by 2020. Paul King, chief executive of…
- Initial analysis of today’s Budget announcement indicates that a number of the new measures will have an impact on UK infrastructure and the water sector. Carbon and the environment The Budget includes provisions for the Government to introduce a carbon price floor…
- The destruction of coastal carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrasses and tidal marshes, is leading to rapid and long-lasting emissions of CO2 into the ocean and atmosphere, according to 32 of the world’s leading marine scientists. The key conclusion highlights a…
- Watch the most recent video made by Greenpeace!
- On the 16th June we will be gathering sustainable business leaders and industry experts to participate in the IMS Sustainable Business Conference 2011. The Conference is set to be a ‘must attend’ sustainability event - bringing together influential business people and…
- According to a new study by WWF and German development bank DEG, the shortage of freshwater is not only becoming more and more of an ecological risk, but it also is rapidly becoming a major business growth risk – one…
- A new investor-led initiative launched by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) earlier this week involves 35 institutional investors requesting the implementation of carbon emission reduction measures from the world's largest companies. The purpose of Carbon Action is to accelerate action…
- Wednesday 13 April 6.30-8.30 pm 3rd Floor, Bush House72 Prince StreetBristol Join the RSA with keynote speakers Michael Norton, founder of Buzzbnk and the Directory of Social Change and Bevis Watts from Triodos Bank in a lively and informative discussion around developing local projects…
- Proctor & Gamble has successfully engaged its suppliers in driving innovation across various operations by requesting partners to complete a sustainability scorecard. The scorecard, launched last year, assesses the environmental impact of P&G vendors, measures performance indicators such as energy and…
- SMEs are struggling to adopt sustainability practices, according to Prof. Ross King at the Centre for Sustainable Environmental Management, as lack of finances limits their investment in environmental analysis. Many SMEs are working to keep their businesses afloat and are unable to carry the…
- In working to increase the sustainability of its operations, Coca-Cola has implemented its "Give it Back" initiative, whereby it asks its US retailers to return or recycle the company's new range of in-store drinks shelves. The 100% recyclable display racks, made from recyclable corrugated…
- Interesting news this week that Balfour Beatty plans to use sustainability as a key differentiator in its future efforts to win new business - 22% of total revenues in 2010 came from recognised sustainable goods and services. The Group now…
- A recent post on the Guardian Sustainable Business blog about the role that can be played by companies in delivering the low carbon economy, uses supermarkets as an example. IMS works extensively in the construction sector, and it is interesting how…
- Given the impact the built environment has on UK emissions (accounting for 44%, of which 18% is non-domestic), the UK property market is coming under increasing pressure to be environmentally sound. This comes in part from governmental initiatives including the…
- Walmart's 2011 Global Responsibility Report highlights the strides the retailer is making towards its ambitious sustainability goals, pulling its 60 000 suppliers and various competitors in line itself. For example, in 2010, Walmart cut down on its plastic bag waste across global…
- A new report from the CBI out today exposes concerns of senior business leaders about the UK's ability to meet its emissions-related and renewables targets. The cause is indecision in the country's renewable funding policy which is discouraging the much-needed investment in…
- For the first time, Europe's largest 300 companies have been ranked according to their Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by the UK's Environmental Investment Organisation (EIO). The rankings take into account not only GHG emissions but also levels of disclosure and verification, using the EIO's…
- 'The business case for sustainability' Conference is being held at the Future Inn Hotel, Central Bristol, 16th June 2011. Come along to learn why sustainability is becoming an increasingly essential part of winning new business and hear real-life case studies…
- CDP 2011 Supplier Information Request This is the fourth time the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) has made an information request on behalf of corporate and public sector procuring organizations. Over 50 companies currently work with the CDP on their corporate supply chain…
- Annual sustainability reporting, according to GreenBiz, allows leaders to review and re-secure management and employee commitment to sustainability goals and targets. Whilst many organisations have set targets in place internally, publicising them and reporting progress towards them drives focus in ways that…
- Last week saw Costain launch its Costain Cares operational drive that emphasises corporate responsibility, with the aim of creating greater economic, environmental and social value. It will define operations from building relationships with stakeholders to innovation. According to Chief Executive Andrew…
- According to this week's annual renewable energy review, advisors on climate change have called for the government to allow the Green Investment Bank to borrow money immediately from its inception next September to invest in early stage technologies, instead of the 2015/16 projection announced in this year's…
- Defra launched a new consultation yesterday on the size and number of companies that will have to report their carbon emissions. The Climate Change Act requires the government to introduce regulations by April 2012 under the Companies Act that call for the…
- I have stumbled across a very interesting article about how construction companies can usefully engage with social media, click here to read it. We spend a lot of our time helping our construction clients to engage with social channels in these kind of…
- Yesterday, Chris Huhne announced the UK Government's commitment to a legally-binding target with plans to cut GHG emissions by 50% by 2027. The target is the basis of the country's fourth carbon budget and is broadly in line with the Committee…
- Given Nike's efforts in sustainability, it's not surprising that its VP of Sustainable Business & Innovation, Hannah Jones, has recently voiced her opinions about the future of sustainability reporting and the opportunities it presents for businesses. "The time is fast approaching…
- Does sustainability reporting actually improve responsible management practices or it is just an exercise in public relations? This is the question recent research from Harvard Business School and London Business School sets out to answer. Whilst there's been much debate around voluntary and…
- As preparations get underway for the IMS Sustainable Business Conference 2011, it is interesting to note the numerous examples emerging of bottom line benefits derived from incorporating sustainability into business strategies and operations. One such example is a new international survey by Accenture, which has revealed that nearly…
- "CEOs of publicly-traded companies in the fashion industry don’t get the “pass” that comes to the super cool Apple leaders and their uber cool company. Meaning, my shareholders and my consumers insist that we create profit, quarter by quarter, and…
- The recent e-newsletter sent by IMS was always going to spark a lively debate, especially with the community in the west of England. It included a quote from Irene Rosenfeld, CEO or Kraft Foods: "I have always believed that business…
- The Environmental Leader has recently published an article which examines the role of CSR in increasing company profits. The article draws on a range of studies which have looked at the link between active engagement in CSR and an increase…
- New research suggests that the sustainable business market will reach a significant tipping point in 2013. Market forecasts by Verdantix predict that investment in sustainable business programmes will be between 50 – 100% higher in 2013. With the amount of money…
- The need for collaboration in reaching sustainability goals is not a new concept. We're well aware of the need for collaboration between the private and public sectors, between business and government, and businesses and their multiple stakeholders. However, a new report…
- “At Speedy, sustainability isn’t just a buzz word – we place it at the heart of all we do." This, according to Speedy's supply chain director Andy Connor, is one reason for not only helping customers improve their sites but working…
- According to Ethical Corporation's recent report 'How to embed sustainability across different parts of your company', 50 leading companies felt that their biggest challenges were performance measurement, internal reporting, external reporting, partnerships and collaboration and community engagement. One example of a…
- The Bristol Evening Post has just published a piece on the IMS Sustainable Business Conference taking place on 16th June, commenting that "sustainability is big business these days and, as companies large and small wise up to the benefits it can…
- The Government has announced the new Feed-in Tariff levels for large scale solar and anaerobic digestion installations, following the recent public consultation on the fast track review on the current levels that closed on 6th May. The review assessed the need…
- The Sunday Times' annual Green List was published on 12th June. No less than seven of the top ten companies in the "bigger companies with high environmental impact" are in the construction sector. Skanska UK came top overall. Elsewhere in…
- Last month, Puma became the first major company to release the initial findings from its environmental profit and loss statement. In what they are calling the ‘worlds first’, the statement puts the cost to the company’s environmental footprint on the…
- The IMS sustainable conference for the ‘Business Case for Sustainability’ was a full house yesterday, with over 120 attendees. The delegates arrived from companies such as Morgan Sindall, Rolls Royce and Atkins to hear some compelling evidence that sustainability can…
- Many professionals in the industry believe that a key component of a great sustainability report is the way in which a company handles materiality. The best seem to be those companies who, rather than just creating a ‘checklist’ of sustainable…
- I recently came across an article posted on GreenBiz.com which effectively highlights why it is so important for businesses to engage with and communicate sustainability to those working within an organisation as well as those leading it. Why sustainability pros…
- A recent article in Local Government Chronicle has urged local authorities to stimulate growth in their local economies by investing in the construction industry. The statistics speak for themselves - the £100 billion UK construction industry employs over 2 million people and…
- IMS Consulting is delighted to announce that it has been selected as a consultancy partner for Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the world’s largest environmental information reporting organisation. IMS Consulting is a specialist advisor to companies, both national and international, on sustainability.…
- IMS Consulting has recently moved to new office facilities that reflect its commitment to sustainability. Last week EU Business recognised the company, along with Aisgill Business Solutions, for seeking out eco-friendly office space in the heart of Bristol. The newly…
- Last week, IMS Consulting was announced as a finalist in the Sustainability Reporting category of the Sustainability Leaders Awards 2012. This year's awards attracted a record number of entrants, with winners from each category to be announced at the black-tie ceremony on 5th December…
- An interesting article last week suggests that our future requires sustainability, mostly due to the continued development and sophistication of technology. In particular, there are four emerging areas of focus: transparency - there will be a growing requirement for solid information and…
- Last month the Government announced a delay on its decision regarding the introduction of mandatory carbon reporting, much to the disappointment of the business community, prompting the Aldersgate Group to write to Nick Clegg earlier this week to advance an agreement…
- Despite much criticism and research findings that could support its dismantlement, the fate of the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) may not be as bleak as one would have suspected, thanks to the findings of a recent study by Global…
- I recently read an article that highlighted the importance of sustainability case studies and the value they have as part of a considered sustainability strategy. From helping to develop internal dialogue and focus on outcomes during their preparation, to being a…
- On Friday 18th May, the IMS Consulting team swapped time in the office for time spent giving something back to the local community as part of this year’s Give & Gain Day. It was all hands on deck at the Malcolm…
- UK companies Aquamarine Power and Marks & Spencer were both winners at this year’s European Business Awards for the Environment, marking the UK’s tenth consecutive win, thanks to the work of the RSA Environment Awards Forum and Secretariat, run by…
- On the 24th May Graham Sprigg and I were proud to witness the European Commission announce not one but two UK companies as winners in this year’s European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE). The 2 UK winners, Marks & Spencer…
- Graham Sprigg explores a construction industry first, the recently launched Supply Chain Sustainability School, in his latest column for ABC+D magazine: The construction sector has worked hard over the past few years to put in place initiatives aimed at encouraging and facilitating the…
- A new report giving recommendations on how to smooth out the investments cycles in the water industry has been released. Including research data collated by IMS using our StakeholderTALK online engagement toolkit, the report has identified the effects of cyclical…
- The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) has recently released a list of changes to LEED, the internationally recognised green building programme. Updates have been released with the aim of inviting public comments and feedback, epitomising LEED’s vision of continuously…
- Ministers have recently initiated plans to ‘rationalise’ all building regulations and national and local housing standards. Despite having a positive and promising aim, the proposed approach of the review has led to concern from the construction industry.The Department for Communities…
- Last Friday a team from Bristol, led by Council leader Simon Cook, travelled to Belgium to present the city's bid for European Green Capital 2014, the result of which will be announced on 29th June. Bristol has long been recognised…
- The world's first mandatory carbon reporting legislation is to be introduced by the UK, the Deputy PM announced yesterday. The legislation will initially require companies listed on the London Stock Exchange to include emissions data in their annual reports from the…
- Longer-term environmental and social risks should also be also taken into consideration by policymakers and financiers seeking to bring equilibrium back to the markets, a new report says. Post-financial crisis efforts must be extended to include emerging sources of instability in…
- A thought-provoking article in yesterday's Guardian argues that investments in fossil-fuel intensive industries could have even more severe implications than those of the financial crisis A new report by the Carbon Tracker Initiative reveals the scale of the risk. Five of…
- Proposals to simplify CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme and Climate Change Agreements revealed The Government recently outlined proposals to make the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme simpler, easier and more straightforward. The CRC scheme started in April last year to reduce carbon emissions in…
- Proposals to simplify CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme and Climate Change Agreements revealedThe Government recently outlined proposals to make the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme simpler, easier and more straightforward.The CRC scheme started in April last year to reduce carbon emissions in…
- The first in a series of sessions from the IMS Sustainable Business Conference held in June, this video includes Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the RSA and ex Chief Adviser on Political Strategy to the former Prime Minister. Matthew talks…
- 300 schools to be built with £2bn PFI scheme Michael Gove has launched a £2bn PFI funding scheme for school buildings. He however said that the Building for School (BSF) projects axed last year, will not be restore. The logic for going…
- The second in a series of sessions from the IMS Sustainable Business Conference held in June, this video includes Peter Madden, Chief Executive of Forum for the Future. Peter talks to the IMS delegates about the business case for sustainability. The…
- A £22bn forward pipeline of construction projects was published by the government this week showing a major shift of spending in favour of construction through Defra. The spend on projects for the Environment Department is set to increase from £1.2bn in…
- Britain has built more offshore windfarms than any country in the world, says the European Wind Energy AssociationIn the past six months the UK had sailed ahead in offshore wind power generation, building more offshore windfarms than any other country…
- This week UK canned seafood manufacturer John West, the country’s biggest tuna brand, launched a five-year plan to source the depleted fish stock more sustainably and will announce the launch of a new range of pole and line sourced tuna…
- The third in a series of sessions from the IMS Sustainable Business Conference held in June, this video includes Bruno Zago, Environmental Manager at Hewlett-Packard. Hugo talks to the IMS delegates about sustainability and IT. The IMS Sustainable Business Conference was…
- With the holiday season in full swing, many of you might be looking at doing your travels in the most sustainable way possible. A new tool in Beta version online aims at helping you do just that. Rome2Rio evaluates and…
- Last week at the Create Centre in Bristol, a group of Bristolians met to discuss the Bristol Pound to understand what it really is, how it works and why use it. Two years of planning has led to a currency…
- New research finds that the benefits of mandatory carbon reporting for large businesses are much greater - and the costs lower - than the Government has suggested. A new report, commissioned by Aldersgate Group, The Co-operative Group, Christian Aid and WWF…
- At the end of July, the UK Government published the draft National Planning Policy Framework which includes the Government’s promise to apply a presumption in favour of sustainable development when making planning decisions. If the framework is approved, these policies…
- The fourth in a series of sessions from the IMS Sustainable Business Conference held in June, this video includes Brian Andreas, Sustainability Leader at British Gypsum, talk about the economic advantages of sustainability. The IMS Sustainable Business Conference was a full…
- International management consulting company Deloitte and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) have announced an agreement to develop the second edition of the CDP’s Water Disclosure Project. The collaboration will aim to raise awareness of the business risks and opportunities around…
- Water industry regulator Ofwat has published a detailed policy statement on how water and sewerage companies will be required to engage with their customers in the price setting process when it sets price limits in 2014 for the AMP6 investment…
- August’s issue of Future Constructor and Architect magazine features an article by IMS Consulting’s Sustainability Specialist Dr Richard Westaway on the company's recent comprehensive benchmarking study of the UK’s largest construction companies and how they are addressing the challenges of…
- Tom Beale, a Freelance Social Enterprise Advisor, currently working in the Social Housing sector in Bristol, and as a Grants Assessor for the Local Food Fund, is the speaker at the next IMS Consulting Sustainable Business Breakfast on 6 September. The…
- Recent statistics show that more and more people are using their mobile phones to access the internet on the move. Six million people accessed the web this way for the first time in the previous twelve months, indicating that company’s…
- We have had a new article published in the Construction Digital online magazine. It discusses the role that contracts play in determining whether construction companies can influence or reduce carbon emissions from the built environment. We think it is an…
- The recent little Britain Challenge Cup, the largest regatta in Cowes after Cowes Week, yielded prizes for the Bristol-based Greenwash crew; both on and off the water. Sailing in the highly competitive F40 class, their 40 foot cruiser racer crossed the…
- The first report from the 2011 Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) was published earlier this week. The Global 500 report examines carbon reduction activities at the world’s 500 largest public corporations. It found, for the first time in the ten year…
- The IMS Consulting Sustainable Business Breakfasts have featured in the Allright! pages of the Bristol Evening Post (17 September). To read the full article click here.
- National youth education charity, Envision has appointed Graham Sprigg to their Regional Development Board for the South West of England.Managing Director of the Bristol-based sustainability specialists, IMS Consulting, Graham aims to use his experience in assisting businesses to increase their…
- The theme is sustainable transport and the next Sustainable Business Breakfast on 4 October takes a slightly different format.We have a specially-made DVD of Norman Baker MP, Minister for Transport, discussing the Government's Fourth Carbon Budget and how creating a…
- IMS Consulting’s next Sustainable Business Breakfast on 1st November will have a built environment theme, with a focus on sustainable construction, retrofit and sustainable regeneration. It includes a line-up of authoritative speakers involved in some of the sector’s most cutting…
- Earlier this month Norman Baker MP, Minister for Transport, addressed an IMS audience on his vision for a sustainable transport infrastructure in the UK. As part of a wider IMS Sustainable Business Breakfast session on transport, Norman talked via video…
- The UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC), Vinci Construction, Igloo Regeneration and the Bristol and Bath Science Park joined IMS at their Sustainable Business Breakfast yesterday for a discussion on the future of green building. In front of a crowd of over…
- In a competitive market there is a real need for companies to ensure that they are performing well in all aspects of the business. One way of doing this is to keep a close eye on what other companies are…
- James Vaccaro, Managing Director of Investment Management at Triodos Bank, will be the guest speaker at December’s IMS Sustainable Business Breakfast in Bristol – marking the third birthday of the popular sustainability events.At the first event in 2008, James spoke…
- This Christmas, IMS Consulting will be holding a drinks reception at Bristol’s Shore Bar to celebrate three years of Sustainable Business events. The Bristol based consultancy firm, who advise organisations on sustainability strategies and how to engage with their key…
- Following a recent consultation, the Government has decided not to abolish the land remediation tax relief as it would risk "plans to support the housing and construction sectors through planning reforms and the release of large areas of publicly owned…
- Last night IMS Consulting celebrated another year of Sustainable Business Events with our annual Christmas Drinks Reception at the Bristol Hotel’s Shore Bar. With canapés, wine and hearty debates, the evening proved a success for all who attended.Guests were treated…
- With 2012 fast approaching, here at IMS we are taking a look back over the last year with some of the highlights from this year - in our own words. Our Clients…. IMS has continued to support Skanska’s Sustainability Strategy, developing a…
- IMS Consulting’s managing director, Graham Sprigg has been asked to write a monthly column for the construction industry magazine ABC&D. Established in 1988, the magazine features articles, hop topics, case studies and comments from the construction industry. Graham’s first ‘Sustainability…
- The first IMS Sustainable Business Breakfast of 2012 will be held on 7th February and we are delighted to welcome Richard Ellis, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Alliance Boots Group as our guest speaker. The event will focus on…
- Thames Water has published a guide to the types of compensation it will be making available as a result of its proposals for the Tideway Tunnel “supersewer” – including the ultimate option of compulsory purchase.The guide covers the different types…
- The IMS Sustainable Business Breakfast has been running now for three years and in that time the event has gone from strength to strength as we continue to bring together key business people responsible for developing sustainable business practise in…
- Globally, it is estimated that 70% of organisations use social media to interact with stakeholders. However, the UK seems to be lagging behind with only an estimated 41% of organisations actively engaging through social media. With 1 in every 6…
- Financial incentive schemes, aimed at improving energy efficiency, have a key role to play in achieving the UK’s carbon reduction targets.The Green Deal, which aims to encourage retrofitting of existing dwellings to make them more energy efficient, could potentially provide…
- Today the Government lost its appeal against a judge’s ruling that its cuts to the Feed in Tariff rates were illegal - news that is likely to have a dramatic impact on thousands of homes and businesses who will now…
- Bristol City Council has become the first local authority outside London to receive a £2.5 million grant from the European Investment Bank to set up a citywide energy services company (Esco) and investment programme. The Bristol Esco will spearhead renewable…
- Graham gives his thoughts on recent proposals to drop the requirement for schools to be built or refurbished using the ‘BREEAM’ standard in his monthly column in ABC&D: The construction industry has been having a hard time with schools…
- There's much talk of a holistic approach to sustainability these days, ensuring that all aspects of your business and operations are in line with your sustainability strategy. Unfortunately, when this doesn't happen and businesses still promote their green credentials, it…
- An interesting article featured on the Guardian this week explores what's become known as the 'sustainability schism'; that is, the gap between companies' good intentions and actual global ecological, social and economic limits. Evidence shows that this gap is considerable…
- According to a recent report by E3G, energy efficiency could be a significant driver of growth and job creation, but it will require more support from governments if it's to make a difference. The report cites the benefits of improving energy efficiency…
- New research conducted by the Carbon Trust has shown an increase in the level of demand for low carbon products despite a tough economic climate.The Carbon Trust has revealed that 45% of shoppers would be prepared to stop buying their…
- The release of the IBM 2010 Corporate Responsibility Report gives tangible evidence to support the business case for sustainability. The company has saved a total of $50 million in electricity costs over the past two years by launching thousands of energy efficiency projects worldwide.The…
- Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, announced his 2012 Autumn Statement on 5 December, seeing the roads sector as the primary beneficiary from the construction industry. A large proportion of the details within the autumn statement were initially addressed pre-statement. Many…
- Read the article by IMS Director Graham Sprigg in the Guardian’s Sustainable Business Blog. In this piece Graham explains how businesses can positively interact with environmental campaigners.
- IMS Consulting has been working with Morgan Sindall Group plc to help develop and deliver their online sustainability communications. Morgan Sindall Group is committed to delivering construction and regeneration projects of the highest quality. As part of this commitment, it is…
- A new report by the Hartman Group has found that, despite increasing company efforts, there is still a gap between consumer and business perceptions of sustainability and that these efforts seem to go relatively unnoticed. Laurie Demeritt, President and COO, says: "Above all,…
- A recent study by Custom Communication has revealed that whilst the use of social media is prevalent in marketing and PR, many companies are failing to utilise it when communicating their sustainability strategies. Of the 287 sustainable companies analysed (North American…
- With the COP16 UN climate change conference to take place from next week (29 Nov - 10 Dec), expectations for international carbon reduction agreements remain low as doubts continue to surface about the possibility of binding deals. Eyes have already…
- A new housing development is taking an pioneering approach to tackling the balance between development and environment – by getting its residents to fund a nature reserve adjacent to the site.
- The UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate has launched a new report – the Guide to Responsible Business Engagement with Water Policy. Please click here for full story
- The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme has become an even more controversial topic over the last month or so as the Government Spending Review at the end of October made key changes to the payback incentive for participants of the scheme. Graham…
- We can all learn from the example Nike have set in a recent article in which Hannah Jones, VP of Sustainable Business & Innovation, talks openly about Nike's ethical errors and missteps in the past and the need to learn from…
- There is a very interesting article in the Guardian today about the carbon footprint of the internet. Well worth a read... What's the carbon footprint of the internet? Incidentally, the piece is co-written by Mike Berners-Lee – no relation to the…
- Despite the fast approaching deadline for registration to the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (30th September), a recent survey commissioned by the Carbon Trust Standard has revealed that many of the 200 large companies involved in the survey do not yet know…
- As next month's Sustainable Business Breakfast focusing on Feed-in Tariffs approaches, the Guardian's published an interesting article today about two schemes launched by British Gas to encourage customers to make use of solar power to take advantage of Feed-in Tariffs and savings on their…
- Today it has been announced that the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) will be extending its jurisdiction to cover online sources – meaning online marketing and advertising will be subjected to the same regulation as offline media. Popular sites such as…
- Welcome to the IMS Consulting Blog.
- Climate change is expected to expose businesses and other organisations to a range of new risks and opportunities. An important strategy for managing risks and exploiting opportunities involves stakeholder engagement and communication. This article examines how a business that engages…
- Companies are increasingly looking for ways to gather feedback and validate the usefulness of their CSR and Sustainability reports. Using one of IMS Consulting’s StakeholderTALKTM online engagement tools, Waste Recycling Group undertook a comprehensive analysis of its Corporate Social Responsibility…
- March 2010 saw the publication of two Sustainability Reviews for two leading construction companies. Both Reviews were researched and written by IMS Consulting.
- The StakeholderTALKTM stakeholder engagement toolkit developed by IMS Consulting, in conjunction with The Environment Council, has been shortlisted for the Sustain Business and Society award for Communication.
- Engaging with interested and influential parties takes many forms. A classic “eyeball to eyeball” approach was chosen recently, when IMS Consulting facilitated a series of briefing sessions for its client, the WBCSD’s Cement Sustainability Initiative.
- A leading, international multi-stakeholder organisation has chosen IMS Consulting as its partner in developing and delivering a new web platform.
- According to the Guardian, an online sustainability reporting study has found that many organisations are falling short when it comes to their stakeholder communications by sticking to once-a-year reporting of activities rather than embracing dynamic engagement tools. These findings aren't surprising.…
- The construction sector will be taking an interest this week in news that the Technology Strategy Board and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research are providing £20 million funding for two new major research centres in the UK which will focus…
- Mott MacDonald, the global management, engineering and development consultancy has launched the first subscription-based online construction cost and carbon tool, CapIT.Endorsed by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), CapIT is a single resource for civil engineering and building data, containing…
- The crucial role of online stakeholder dialogue has been demonstrated by the recent campaigns undertaken by Greenpeace in tackling Nestle's palm oil sourcing from Sinar Mas, a major palm oil producer and supplier criticised for deforestation. Greenpeace used a viral advertising campaign, social…
- At this month's Sustainable Business Breakfast (SBB), Kathryn Barker, previously Head of Corporate Responsibility (CR) at Severn Trent Plc, spoke about the importance of incorporating CR into an overall business strategy and the part played by those at the top…
- This is how Mike Barry, Head of Sustainable Business at Marks and Spencer, describes its Plan A to BusinessGreen. Plan A was initiated in 2007 with the aim of making M&S the world's most sustainable major retailer by 2015. Barry, however, explains…
- Earlier in the year we held one of our Sustainable Business Breakfast sessions on water scarcity and its impact on businesses and communities. With the help of Andrew Kluth from Halcrow we discussed how organisations are having to face up…
- Unilever says sustainability key to new business model Sustainable Living Plan aims to integrate Sustainability at the center of Unilever's business model. Executives at Unilever say that being sustainable is not in competition with making profits and that there is a…
- The CDP Water Disclosure 2010 Global Report has just been published on behalf of 137 investors with assets of US$16 trillion. Water issues are now being explicitly identified by the investment community as a growing risks for companies in terms…
- Although many organisations have made a public commitment to improving the sustainability of their operations, few are communicating their intentions and progress clearly to their target audiences, according to a white paper entitled: Developing Multi-level Communications Strategies on Sustainability.
- Mike King, formerly Chief Executive of The Environment Council, has joined IMS Consulting as an Associate Consultant.
- The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) has announced a formal expansion of its multisector industry initiative Water Programme and the appointment of Joppe Cramwinckel to lead it. The expansion of the WBCSD’s focus area around water includes the establishment…
- I attended a forum on food production earlier this week, which presented some very interesting facts. Apparently, some 70 percent of all water use globally is in agriculture. That's a big number and what makes it really significant is this.…
- As the deadline for registration to the CRC energy efficiency scheme draws closer, the Committee on Climate Change has made a recommendation to the Government to simplify the scheme before its second phase in 2013, which will involve the auctioning of…
- The importance of online stakeholder engagement is discussed in this article by Graham Sprigg, featured in September's issue of UK Construction:Stakeholder engagement should now be a key part of many public and private sector construction projects, particularly where sensitive issues regarding…
- This is the description of a pilot renewable gas project given by an industry expert, according to the Guardian. The new joint venture by British Gas, Thames Water and Scotia Gas Networks at Didcot sewage works will now allow human waste to be…
- One of the key findings of SustainAbility’s ongoing Rate the Raters research is that, in the CSR world, “responsiveness trumps performance”. That is, they have found that more than 60% of the third party CSR ratings schemes depend wholly or…
- IMS is proud to announce the launch of our case study engine - a one-stop-shop for understanding the innovative stakeholder communication work we undertake for our clients. You can browse through all of the case studies, or delve down by…
- A new report into Digital Life shows that the internet is now the most powerful communications tool for organisations looking to get their messaging in front of stakeholders. The report, produced by TNS, gives an invaluable insight into the way individuals…
- The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has just released a long-awaited update to its Green Guide. Aimed specifically at helping to clarify claims made in marketing material, the update was issued last week. While the recommendations are not supported directly…
- Graham Sprigg: "I was fortunate enough to attend the launch of the WWF’s Living Planet Report 2010, earlier this afternoon, at this year’s Wildscreen Festival. The Report links the Living Planet Index – a measure of the health of the world’s…
- In amongst the raft of organisations the Government is taking an axe to in today's "bonfire of the quangos" are hints of what life must be like in some of the more obscure parts of British public life. The review has…
- It will be interesting to see what the uptake will be of the new Publicly Available Specification (PAS 91) for pre-qualification criteria in the construction industry announced yesterday. Business Minister Mark Prisk at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills…
- The Green Construction Board recently released its ‘One Year On Report’, which outlines the progress made to date in leading the change to a low carbon economy. Established in October 2011, the Green Construction Board aims to deliver strategic guidance to…
- As 2012 draws to an end, the IMS team are taking time to look back at the various achievements of the year. Here is just a sample of the highlights: Engagement IMS has continued to actively and effectively engage stakeholders for many…
- As another calendar year gets underway, it is important to look forward and assess what is in store for the construction industry in 2013. Green Deal launch The Green Deal official launch date is fast approaching, and the initiative is undoubtedly going…
- Building magazine has recently launched ‘Green for Growth’, a campaign aiming to persuade the government to stimulate investment in green construction. The UK has committed to a reduction of at least 34% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, and a subsequent…
- British Land has recently published the results of its first online consultation on corporate responsibility, with over 650 stakeholders taking part. Carried out by IMS using our StakeholderTALK online engagement toolkit, the aim of the study was to obtain valuable feedback…
- IMS Consulting are proud designers of the Green Construction Board’s new web platform, showcased this week at Ecobuild. The new platform, designed by the IMS web team, was launched alongside the GCB’s Low Carbon Route Map and contains a host of…
- 2013 Budget: sustainability and construction highlights With Chancellor George Osborne delivering his much anticipated 2013 Budget on 20 March, what are the highlights for construction and sustainability? Construction highlights: Osborne’s 2013 Budget contained a number of construction related announcements that will undoubtedly have…
- The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has recently estimated how much the rising number of climate policies are increasing UK energy costs. With the evaluations showing that organisations are paying a staggering 21% more for energy this year,…
- Over the past two weeks, the IMS-ers have given back to their local community by supporting a Bristol Besom project. As part of its philosophy of contributing towards positive social change, IMS helped a local resident to redecorate his flat, giving…
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