The Role of Climate Tech in Decarbonising the Public Sector

5 February 2025

Contributing Authors: Pete Nisbet, Alejandro Navarro, Craig Cheney

In their 2020 report, the Climate Change Committee emphasised the importance of local authorities in national decarbonisation efforts and the UK’s journey to net zero. Quoting the capacity to impact roughly one third of UK emissions, the report highlighted the significant remit of local authorities, including local transport, social housing, and waste, as well as their influence over local businesses and communities.

Unlike private entities and businesses – which also contribute significantly to UK emissions yet often exhibit limited willingness to respond* – local authorities have demonstrated a clear commitment to addressing climate change. Out of 394 local authorities, 327 have declared a climate emergency, with 114 setting net-zero targets and 280 developing actionable plans.

This highlights the readiness of local authorities to act; however, translating this enthusiasm into meaningful outcomes requires clearer direction and support from central government. While the new government has shown a willingness to address these challenges, the reality is that news policies and funding mechanisms take time to develop and implement. Bridging this gap between ambition and action will be crucial to unlocking the full potential of local authorities in driving the UK’s net-zero agenda.

One stand-out and wide-reaching solution to this is climate technology. With the ability to process data more effectively, identify problems faster, and test solutions virtually, technology provides an efficient, transformative vessel for decarbonisation and net zero strategies. In a recent survey, 40% of senior executives said they believe that digital technologies are already having a positive impact on their sustainability goals. And, with the ability to initiate significant carbon reductions across energy, materials, and mobility, and save money at the same time, climate tech has the potential to provide the public sector with the resources it needs toward net zero.

*According to our recent analysis of the FTSE 250, 41% of the FTSE 250 do not have a net zero target, and those who do have delayed it by an average of 13 months.

Climate Technology

According to a study by ICG, decarbonisation is accelerated in heavily digital economies, but with no risk or loss to finances. Between 2003 and 2019, the most digitalised economies in the EU reduced their greenhouse gases (GHGs) by 25%, while continuing to grow their economies by 30%. For comparison, the least digital economies reduced their GHGs by only 18%, and grew their economies by the same amount.

Climate technology can be categorised under three main areas:

Decision Making Technologies (such as Digital Twin, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning)

Enabling Technologies (Cloud, 5G, Blockchain, Augmented/Virtual Reality, etc.)

And Sensing & Control Technologies (eg. Internet of Things, Drones & Imaging, and Automation & Robotics)

In this article, we will discuss how each technology can be, and is being, specifically applied to climate strategies, and ultimately how these practices can be leveraged to benefit the Public Sector.

Enabling Technologies

By increasing efficiency, Enabling Technologies have the potential to accelerate decarbonisation with specific applications in the energy sector. For example, in a study by the World Economic Forum which placed the impact of digital technologies at a reduction of 8% on GHGs by 2050, they named 5G as a boost to energy efficiency in highly networked environments.

Similarly, blockchain technologies promote circularity, transparency, and security, all of which can be used to track carbon emissions within an organisation. This is particularly unique for its ability to measure Scope 3 emissions including the supply chain, which are notoriously difficult to monitor as they are indirect emissions, as opposed to Scopes 1 and 2 which are associated directly with an organisation’s operations.

Cloud technology also has numerous applications in climate endeavours, including grid management, smart meters, asset planning tools, solar propensity modelling, and methane tracking.

Sensing Technologies

Cloud technology also has numerous applications in climate endeavours, including grid management, smart meters, asset planning tools, solar propensity modelling, and methane tracking.

Decision-Making Technologies

As useful and beneficial as all of these technologies are for accelerating sustainability strategies, their efficacy is predicated on beginning with a strong foundation. One particularly prevalent technology which can provide this comes in the form of the decision-making technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI).

According to a collaborative study by the World Economic Forum and Accenture, AI alone has the potential the reduce global GHG emissions by 4% by 2030. Even greater, CapGemini places the figure at 16% for AI’s climate potential across multiple sectors.

This is due to the substantial boost in efficiency that AI provides when integrated into a business or organisation. This is universal regardless of sector or industry, however it poses the most significant environmental benefit to energy-intensive systems, allowing them to limit their emissions by reducing the energy required to complete their operations.

The most pressing example of this is the manufacturing industry, which can employ AI in order to propel the efficacy of their process optimisation and model production lines, as well as using Machine Learning (ML) to streamline demand forecasting.

However, the efficacy of AI, ML, and other decision-making technology depends upon robust data. Between identifying and tracing source materials, optimising routes, and enhancing efficiency, access to clear and solid data is crucial for building streamlined solutions and a direct path to net zero.

Though not wholly reliant on AI, one example of this data-intuiting technology is cero.earth, our in-house carbon accounting and management platform which is been funded by InnovateUK as one of their seven flagship ‘net zero living programmes’. Dynamic and intuitive, and designed to work specifically in the public sector, cero.earth gathers holistic data across all three Scopes of emissions in order to provide an organisation with actionable outcomes to propel them toward net zero. This provides the entity with the ability to track their progress and easily report developments to stakeholders, providing complete control over their climate journey. Thus, cero.earth is the optimal starting point for organisations to understand their current position, future opportunities, and roadmap to net zero.

Decarbonising the Public Sector

Through the combined benefits outlined in this article of transparency, efficiency, and clarity, climate technology has the potential to provide the direction toward net zero that the public sector could benefit from. In particular, climate tech has attractive applications across major emission areas including transport, waste, and infrastructure:

Transport: As well as the aforementioned ability of sensing technologies to benefit route optimisation in local rail and road networks, there are already numerous examples of transport technology with sustainable benefits such as electric vehicle charging and energy management.

Buildings: In buildings, it is easy to initiate decarbonisation through better controls such as thermostats, air quality monitoring, and smart parking.

Waste: Forecasting technologies like AI and ML can support public sector bodies to reduce waste by providing an overview of resources and accurately projecting their usage.

Furthermore, technology can improve the energy efficiency of other public sector organisations such as healthcare. In a survey conducted by Bain & Company, healthcare companies were asked which technological application they had trialled in the previous three years (as of 2022). Innovative solutions included the use of big data to improve medical R&D, digital interfaces for electronic records and telecare, and integrating centralised information on healthcare providers, drugs, and treatments. All of these improve efficiency, and ergo reduce emissions.

The Responsibility of the Public Sector

The public sector also has a part to play itself in improving access and innovation to these technologies, in order to increase their availability and applications to its industries and operations. The World Economic Forum highlighted three ways in which the public sector can bolster climate investment, namely the use of incentives to drive activity from technology suppliers and financial investors; create longer-term certainty through regulatory support, providing security for technology companies to develop their solutions; and set better standards to credentialise green products and services.

These objectives are particularly prescient for those technologies which present a double-edged sword to sustainable initiatives. For example, though Enabling Technologies such as data centres, as explained earlier in this article, have the potential to boost efficiency within highly networked areas of the public sector, they also come with their own climate considerations. As of 2022, data centres account for 1% of the world’s electricity consumption, and 0.5% of CO2 emissions, figures which are more concentrated when analysing Europe in isolation, where a 2020 EU Commission Study revealed that data centres use 2.7% of the continent’s electricity demand, expected to reach 3.2% by the end of 2030 if they continue at the current rate.

This is not the end of the story, however, as technological innovations are being accelerated to offset this carbon contribution. Namely, the replacement of liquid cooling with air cooling provides a much more sustainable alternative to maintaining the efficiency of data centres, which relies on them not overheating. Air cooling leverages variable-speed fans which can run at reduced speeds to match a reduced cooling requirement; paired with strategic containment, this can create ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ aisles that produce a tailored thermal profile and ensure efficient cooling.

Though the growth and application of technologies such as these is largely dependent on bigger organisations, the public sector can still play its part by spurring and motivating the momentum of their development.

Financial Benefits to the Public Sector

The public sector itself also has numerous financial benefits to expect from increased sustainable investment, particularly in climate tech. As aforementioned, a study by ICG revealed that digital economies are able to reduce their GHGs by 25%, while increasing their economies by 30%. A report from the Institute of Local Government provided insight into these benefits, highlighting the role of technology as a crucial component:

Energy Efficiency: The Institute listed the replacement of outdated lighting fixtures in streetlights with more energy efficient LED bulbs as a quick way to save money, as well as improving street safety. This is heightened in combination with sensing technologies, such as motion detectors and dimmers. The City of Sacramento, for example, has been able to save an average of $302,800 annually through this change.

Transportation: Encouraging and facilitating the use of sustainable transport options comes with the economic benefits of conserving fuel and cutting fuel costs, reducing the health impacts of air and water pollution – and ergo saving on healthcare costs – and reducing traffic congestion, making streets safer for pedestrians and transit users alike.

Overall, increasing efficiency and sustainability through climate tech means that less funding has to be allocated to considerations such as the cost of water, energy, and infrastructure development and maintenance. These savings can then be reinvested into more targeted initiatives which in themselves can spur economic and environmental development, as well as increasing financial stability.

An increased priority and emphasis on sustainability also has the economic benefit of producing green jobs. Defined as any job which ‘contribute[s] to preserving or restoring the environment and our planet’, green jobs go hand-in-hand with the introduction of climate tech, including environmental technicians, wind turbine or solar panel technicians, green construction managers, and nuclear engineers, to name a few.

The Role of Cities

In particular, cities are public sector bodies equipped with the potential to create an immense environmental impact. In a TedTalk from Marvin Rees, on the Board of Directors for our sister-company, Cambridge Management Consulting, he explains that, despite occupying less than 3% of the earth’s land surface, cities are home to around 55% of the world’s population, are responsible for around 75% of CO2 emissions, as well as being prodigious emitters of nitrogen dioxide and methane, and consume 80% of the world’s energy.

However, Marvin explains, due to their reach, size, density, close proximity to leadership, adaptability, and capacity for reinvention, they have a vast capacity to manage those statistics. Attributing much of this potential directly to technological innovation, Marvin lists several of the technologies outlined in this article as being particularly accessible to cities: their population density makes public transport more accessible and cost effective, renewable investment is more financially attractive in large-scale markets, and the heightened presence of a circular economy brings greater benefits to waste management and recycling, in which goods are reused, and unavoidable waste such as food waste can be processed, for example as fertiliser.

Providing inspiration from a global perspective, Marvin names technological examples from around the world:

Malmö: Malmö has developed a heat network that is fed by heat generated by processed waste; they intend to be 100% powered by renewable or recycled heat by 2030.

Oslo: Oslo is subsidising electric vehicles and charging points, as well as introducing a circular waste management system and the purchase of a biogas plant.

Bogota: Bogota has introduced a bus rapid transit system and have one of the largest fleets of electric buses in Latin America.

Innovations such as these are especially concentrated in Smart Cities, defined as cities which leverage information and communication technology to improve operational efficiency with the twin aims of improving economic growth and quality of life. As such, one of their most prescient objectives is environmental and sustainable development.

Conclusion

As this article has outlined, the only thing decelerating the public sector on its journey to net zero is a lack of direction, clarity, and security – technology has the potential to bridge this gap by providing transparency and efficiency. Through the differing and wide-reaching applications of foundational, decision making, enabling, and sensing and control technologies, the public sector can decarbonise across numerous emission-contributing factors. While it is worth noting that the technologies listed throughout this article do not in themselves offer a one-size-fits-all approach, their numerous benefits and uses at least contribute greatly to developing the framework for a coordinated approach.

Furthermore, they also possess incredibly financial and economic benefits to public sector entities, increasing employment through the availability of green jobs, as well as saving money through efficiency which can be reallocated to other initiatives.

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Britain's Electricity Generation - June 2025

by Doug Mccauley • 14 July 2025

Fuel Type Breakdown Britain’s electricity generation in June 2025 was led by wind, which contributed 31% of the energy mix, its highest June share in the past five years. This marked a 6-percentage point increase compared to June 2024 and was double the share recorded in June 2021, reinforcing wind’s growing dominance in the summer energy mix. Gas accounted for just 17% of electricity generation, its lowest June share in the past five years. This represented a 2-percentage point decline from June 2024, and a 50% drop compared to June 2021, highlighting continued progress in reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Solar generation rose by 2 percentage points year-on-year to reach 12%, its highest June contribution in the last five years. Biomass and storage also saw modest increases of 1 percentage point each compared to June 2024, contributing 8% and 2%, respectively, indicating incremental gains in both dispatchable renewable supply and energy flexibility. Nuclear contributed 15% to the mix, down 2 percentage points from June 2024 but consistent with its average performance over the past five years, maintaining its role as a stable, low-carbon baseload source. Hydropower remained steady at 1%, while coal remained absent from the generation mix for the second consecutive June, following its full phase-out. Electricity imports fell to 15%, a 4-percentage point decline from June 2024. While still notable, this decrease points to an improving balance between domestic generation and external supply. Zero-Carbon Sources & Carbon Intensity Zero-carbon sources, including wind, solar, nuclear, and hydro, delivered 61% of Britain’s electricity in June 2025, the highest June share in recent years and an 11-percentage point increase from June 2024. This increase in clean generation contributed to a further decline in carbon intensity, which fell to 98 gCO₂/kWh, 1% lower than the same month last year. Looking at broader trends, the 12-month rolling average for zero-carbon generation held steady at 51%, consistent with the previous 12-month period. Meanwhile, the rolling average carbon intensity dropped to 129 gCO₂/kWh, its lowest level in the past five years and 4% below the level recorded a year earlier, signaling sustained, long-term progress in grid decarbonisation despite short-term variability. Concluding Remarks June 2025 marked a significant step forward in Britain’s clean energy transition, with wind reaching its highest June share in five years and solar achieving a new seasonal peak. These gains, alongside growth in storage and biomass, pushed zero-carbon sources to a five-year high for the month and drove carbon intensity to one of its lowest recorded levels. The continued decline in gas and the absence of coal underscore the pace of decarbonisation. However, the slight drop in nuclear output, modest hydro performance, and the ongoing reliance on imports highlight areas where further progress is needed to strengthen domestic energy resilience. Sustained investment in renewable generation, grid flexibility, and energy storage will be key to building on this momentum and ensuring continued reductions in carbon intensity across all seasons. Britain's Electricity Summary Charts

Three wind turbines above clouds at sunset, with text

UK Renewable Energy Approvals: Q1 2025

by Doug Mccauley • 2 July 2025

edenseven are following trends in the renewable energy sector closely, as decarbonising the energy sector is vital for ensuring a sustainable future and achieving Net Zero. Considering the recent DESNZ quarterly update of the renewable energy planning database, we have produced a consolidated summary of projects in the United Kingdom that have received planning permission. We will continue to release updates each quarter. INSIGHT Over the past 12 months, the UK approved 690 solar PV projects, 19% lower than the previous 12-month period. Despite the decline in project numbers, the total approved energy capacity rose by 16%, reaching the highest level for solar PV granted planning permission in any 12-month period over the last 16 years. Onshore wind approvals increased, with 46 projects granted permission, up by 28% year-on-year. However, the total energy capacity from these projects fell by 33%, and the average capacity per project dropped by 47%, reflecting a shift toward smaller-scale onshore developments in the last 12-months. Offshore wind saw a 67% increase in project approvals, with five projects granted permission. Yet, total energy capacity fell by 61%, and the average capacity per project declined by 77%, marking a significant reduction in project scale. In total, the combined approved energy capacity from solar PV, onshore wind, and offshore wind over the last 12 months reached 6,745 MW, ranking fourth-highest across the past 16 years.

ESG as a Bolt-On vs Strategic Integration

by Doug Mccauley • 27 June 2025

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors have moved from niche considerations to critical drivers of long-term value, investor confidence, and societal impact. Companies are increasingly recognising the imperative to address their environmental footprint, foster positive social contributions, and uphold robust governance standards. However, despite this growing awareness and investment, a significant hurdle remains for many organisations: the common misconception that ESG can simply be an add-on . Too often, we see ESG treated as a separate department, a compliance checklist, or merely a side project tacked onto existing operations. This "bolt-on" approach , while seemingly an easy entry point, is a primary reason why even well-intentioned ESG initiatives ultimately fail to deliver meaningful, transformative impact. When ESG isn't woven into the very fabric of a company's strategy, culture, and decision-making processes, it becomes just another isolated function, lacking the power and resources to drive real change and unlock genuine value. This article will delve into why this approach falls short and, more importantly, outline how a strategic, integrated approach to ESG can lead to tangible business outcomes and sustainable growth. The Challenge "We have a sustainability team of 3 people trying to transform a company of 10,000." This candid observation highlights the fundamental flaw in many organisations' approach to ESG. When ESG is treated as an isolated function, disconnected from the core business, it struggles to gain traction and deliver real transformation. Uncovering the Shortcomings of This Approach ESG treated as a separate function rather than core business strategy Sustainability goals disconnected from business objectives and KPIs Executive teams struggle to weave ESG into existing strategic planning processes ESG initiatives compete against business priorities instead of enabling them Lack of integration creates silos and limits transformation impact Solution Framework: Making ESG a Strategic Enabler What's The Solution? To move beyond the bolt-on approach, ESG must be strategically integrated into every facet of the business. This shift transforms ESG from a compliance burden into a powerful driver of competitive advantage and sustainable growth. This means businesses need to: Embed ESG considerations into annual strategic planning and budget cycles Align ESG materiality assessments with business risk and opportunity mapping Integrate sustainability metrics into core business dashboards and board reporting Make ESG performance criteria part of business unit strategy reviews Connect ESG goals to market expansion, operational efficiency, and innovation pipelines Train leadership teams on ESG as competitive advantage, not a compliance burden How edenseven Helps: Enabling Integrated ESG Strategies Are your ESG efforts feeling disconnected and underperforming? edenseven closes the gap between ambition and execution. We combine deep technology understanding with real-world market experience to empower companies to not just meet climate goals, but to achieve sustainable, profitable growth . We design bespoke, data-driven sustainability strategies that are fully integrated into your core business, turning ESG into a powerful strategic enabler that unlocks new opportunities and mitigates risk, rather than a costly, isolated add-on. If you would like to find out more about how we can deliver powerful ESG strategies for your organisation, send us a message today!

Britain's Electricity Generation - May 2025

by Doug Mccauley • 17 June 2025

Fuel Type Breakdown Britain’s electricity generation in May 2025 was led by wind, which contributed 27% of the energy mix, its highest May share in the past five years. This marked an 8 percentage point increase compared to May 2024, reinforcing wind’s role as the backbone of Britain’s clean energy supply. Gas, on the other hand, accounted for just 20% of the electricity mix, down 5 percentage points from May 2024 and its lowest May contribution in five years. Notably, gas generation in May 2025 was half of that in May 2021, signalling measurable progress in reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Nuclear power contributed 15% to the mix, a figure that has remained relatively stable in recent years. While slightly below the 17% share seen in May 2022 and 2024, it matches contributions in May 2021 and 2023, reflecting a continued but stagnant role in the generation mix. Solar generation rose significantly, climbing 4 percentage points year-on-year to reach 12%, its highest May contribution in the last five years. This growth underscores solar’s expanding role in supporting seasonal energy demand. Biomass remained consistent, supplying 7% of Britain's electricity in May 2025, in line with its contribution in May 2024. Hydropower also maintained a consistent presence at 1%, though this was below the 2% observed in May 2022. Electricity imports fell slightly to 17%, down from 19% in May 2024, but still substantially above the 2% recorded in May 2022. Meanwhile, storage technologies contributed 2%, marking their highest May share in the last five years and reflecting incremental progress in energy flexibility. Coal remained absent from the generation mix in May 2025, following its complete phase-out from the grid. Zero-Carbon Sources & Carbon Intensity Zero-carbon sources, including wind, solar, nuclear, and hydro, delivered 57% of Britain’s electricity in May 2025, the highest May share in recent years and a 12 percentage point increase from May 2024. This boost in clean generation contributed to a notable reduction in carbon intensity, which fell to 106 gCO₂/kWh, 15% lower than the previous year. In longer terms, the 12-month rolling average for zero-carbon generation reached 50%, up 1% from April’s update but still 1% below the level seen one year earlier. In contrast, the rolling average carbon intensity sits at 129 gCO₂/kWh, the lowest level of the past five years, indicating gradual improvement despite short-term fluctuations. Concluding Remarks May 2025 saw a strong rebound in wind and solar generation, helping to push zero-carbon sources to their highest May share in recent years and driving carbon intensity to new lows. The continued decline in gas and the absence of coal signal real progress, although the stability of nuclear, combined with limited hydro output and a marginal decline in the 12-month rolling average energy generation from zero-carbon sources, highlight the importance of accelerating renewable deployment to maintain momentum. With imports still high and storage only beginning to scale, the data points to both achievements and remaining vulnerabilities. To ensure long-term resilience and carbon reduction, sustained investment in domestic renewables and flexible technologies will be essential. Britain's Electricity Summary Charts

Staying Afloat: UK Leisure Centres and Sustainable Operations

by Doug Mccauley • 10 June 2025

As energy prices climb, staff costs rise, and local authority budgets tighten, leisure centres across the UK are navigating choppy waters. Nowhere is this pressure felt more acutely than in facilities with swimming pools. These highly valued public assets are also among the most energy-intensive parts of any leisure operation, with heating, ventilation, water treatment, pumps and lighting systems operating almost constantly. According to a Lords report, between 2021 and 2024, 77 local authority managed leisure centres across the UK closed, many citing increases in utility costs as a contributing factor. In 2023, a medium sized operator of public leisure centres announced that it's utility costs had increased from £8m in 2021 to an estimated £24m in 2024. Yet, despite these pressures, swimming pools remain a vital part of the health and wellbeing infrastructure in our communities. The challenge is to safeguard their future by reducing operational costs and environmental impact while maintaining, or ideally improving, comfort and safety for bathers. This is where a focused, evidence-led approach to energy efficiency becomes not just a sustainability initiative, but a financial and operational necessity. Understanding the Challenges Operators of swimming pools in the public and private sectors are facing a perfect storm: Rising utility costs : Volatile energy markets and increasing wholesale prices mean that the cost of running a pool is often the single largest line item in an operator's budget. Ageing infrastructure : Many leisure centres were built decades ago, with plant and building fabric now well beyond their optimal design life. Staffing pressures : Increased employer National Insurance contributions, inflationary wage growth, and recruitment challenges in technical and operations roles strain budgets further. Local authority cuts : For council-run sites or those operated under local authority contracts, budget reductions mean less funding for capital improvements, making it harder to invest in long-term savings. In this environment, energy efficiency isn't just about sustainability; it is core to financial survival. Ten Focus Areas for Energy Efficiency in Swimming Pool Operations edenseven have worked with a wide range of leisure operators across the UK, from large national chains, local authority and privately run leisure centres and single-site independents. While every facility is unique, there are ten consistent focus areas that can help reduce costs and improve user experience. 1. Pool Hall Air Handling Systems Air handling units (AHUs) that serve the pool hall are often some of the most energy-intensive pieces of equipment in a leisure centre. Retrofitting systems with high-efficiency heat recovery, variable speed fans, and improved controls can yield significant savings. Maintaining optimal humidity and air temperature also reduces condensation and improves comfort and reduces building degradation. 2. Pool Water Heating and Temperature Management Upgrading boiler systems or integrating renewable sources such as heat pumps can drastically reduce energy usage. Modern controls, temperature stratification management, and insulation of pipework all contribute to system efficiency. Managing water temperatures to an optimal level reduces the need for backwashing. Higher pool water temperatures lead to increased microbiological growth and a higher need for backwashing and chemical dosing. 3. Lighting Efficiency LED lighting retrofits, particularly in pool halls and plant rooms, provide rapid returns on investment. Coupled with intelligent lighting controls (e.g., occupancy sensors in changing villages and toilets, and daylight dimming), this can lower costs while enhancing visibility and safety. 4. Building Fabric and Insulation Improved insulation of walls, roofs, and glazing can reduce heat loss, especially in pool halls where thermal demand is constant. Draught-proofing and maintenance of seals around windows and doors are low-cost measures that can have a noticeable impact. 5. Water Treatment System and Backwash Optimisation Advancements in filtration and chemical water treatment technologies, such as glass-media filtration and UV treatment, can reduce the need for chemical dosing and water changes. Smart controls help optimise chemical usage, water balance, and backwash schedules, lowering energy and water consumption. 6. Pool Covers and Evaporation Management Heat loss due to evaporation is one of the largest energy drains in any pool. High-quality, well-fitted pool covers can reduce overnight losses dramatically. Automatic covers also improve usability and safety. Consideration should be given to using surplus heat from other parts of the operation or other local businesses if possible - data centres or industrial processes could prove to be ideal partners. 7. Smart Controls and Building Management Systems (BMS) Many leisure centres are under-utilising their existing BMS or lack one altogether. Integrating systems and enabling real-time monitoring and automated control can unlock both energy and operational efficiencies. 8. Renewable and Low Carbon Technologies On-site solar PV, air or ground source heat pumps, and battery storage can help offset rising energy prices. While capital intensive, these measures may qualify for grant support or financing options that align with local authority decarbonisation plans. 9. Staff Training and Customer Engagement Empowering staff with energy awareness training and involving them in optimisation routines often leads to behavioural changes that enhance the impact of technical interventions. From plant operators to lifeguards, everyone has a role to play. Engaging with customers to shower before using the pool reduces biological loading and the need for chemicals and backwashing, saving water, energy and chemicals. 10. Data Monitoring and Continuous Improvement You can't manage what you don't measure. Installing sub-metering, using analytics platforms like cero.earth, and setting performance benchmarks allows leisure centre operators to track progress and target interventions more precisely. This data-led approach drives accountability and long-term success. Planning the Journey: From Audit to Action There is no one-size fits all solution, but there is a process. Most successful transformations start with a detailed energy and plant condition audit, tailored to the unique operational profile of the site. From here, a prioritised action plan can be developed, balancing short-term wins with longer-term investments. Understanding funding routes for public sector managed facilities is also critical. Many operators overlook opportunities for central government or local authority-backed capital funding. Our team has supported clients in identifying and securing funding through schemes such as the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and local net-zero initiatives. Crucially, implementation must be done in a way that minimises disruption to operations and maintains health and safety standards. That means working closely with operational staff, technical teams, and supply chains. A Sustainable Future for Swimming At edenseven we believe that every leisure centre and swimming pool in the UK can be part of a more sustainable future, one where communities continue to benefit from the physical and mental wellbeing that swimming pools and leisure centre facilities offer, without shouldering unsustainable costs. Our role as a sustainability consultancy is not to offer off-the-shelf solutions, but to partner with clients to understand their context, build the right roadmap, and support delivery at every stage. From strategic advice and audits, through to technical specification and project management, our credibility is built on a track record of helping leisure operators navigate these exact challenges. If you are responsible for a facility that includes a swimming pool, now is the time to act, come and talk to us . Rising costs are unlikely to reverse themselves, but with the right expertise and a structured approach, they can be managed and even turned into opportunities to improve performance and bather comfort, engage with you customers and improve your leisure centre’s environmental impact.

Avoid Greenwashing: Earn Trust, Lower Risk, Cut Cost, Create Impact

by Doug Mccauley • 27 May 2025

Managing Partner, Pete Nisbet, explains more: Over 80% of consumers say they're willing to pay more for sustainable products. But here’s the catch: trust is fragile . Too many claims are vague, inconsistent, or unverifiable. And consumers are noticing. Greenwashing isn’t just a PR problem, it’s a business risk. Transparency and accountability are no longer optional. Credible data, third-party verification, and measurable outcomes are essential. They don’t just protect you, they future-proof your business. Because once trust is broken, it’s hard to rebuild. Over half of consumers say they’d stop buying from brands they believe mislead on sustainability. That’s not just reputational damage, it’s lost customers, investment, and talent. Why does this matter? For People: When companies walk the talk, people benefit through better working conditions, local job creation, and access to more ethical, healthier products. Trust builds loyalty. Transparent, credible action forges stronger relationships between businesses and the people they serve. For Profit: Sustainability isn’t a cost, it’s a growth strategy. Sustainable products grew 2.7x faster than conventional ones between 2015 & 2019. Over $30 trillion is now invested in ESG assets, and is expected to reach $40 trillion by 2030. For the Planet: The climate crisis is happening now. We need bold, credible action, not just pledges. Science-based targets, circular design, and effective net-zero strategies are essential. Turning Ambition into Action: At edenseven, we design, build, and implement sustainability strategies that deliver. We consistently see these benefits for the clients we work with: reducing costs, proving impact to customers and investors, and cutting regulatory risk. Most importantly, we help minimise your impact on the planet. If you want to see how much of an impact we can make for your business, send us a message! We’ll help you turn genuine sustainability efforts into clear, credible results that future-proof your business and resonate with your customers & key stakeholders.

Green field with electricity pylon and text

Britain's Electricity Generation - April 2025

by Doug Mccauley • 9 May 2025

Fuel Type Breakdown Britain’s electricity generation in April 2025 saw a notable shift, with gas reclaiming its position as the leading source of electricity generation. Contributing 26% of the energy mix, gas usage rose by nearly 10 percentage points compared to April 2024. Despite this, gas consumption remained below levels seen in April 2021, 2022, and 2023. The rise in gas was largely a response to a substantial drop in wind energy generation, which fell by more than 10 percentage points year-on-year to 22%. This was wind’s second-lowest April contribution in the last five years. The shortfall in wind output played a critical role in driving up reliance on fossil fuels, undermining progress toward a cleaner energy mix. Likely as a result of favourable weather conditions, solar generation rose sharply, from 6% in April 2024 to 11% in April 2025. This marks its highest April contribution in five years and highlights solar’s growing potential in Britain’s energy transition. Conversely, nuclear power continued to decline, contributing just 14% to the electricity mix, down from 16% the previous year and its lowest April share in half a decade. The consistent drop in nuclear output, coupled with weak wind performance, placed additional pressure on other sources to fill the gap. Biomass remained stable at 7%, matching its highest April contribution in the last five years, while hydropower fell slightly to 1%. Together, these sources provided limited compensation for the downturn in wind and nuclear output. Coal contributed 0%, following its complete phase-out in September 2024. For context, coal had still accounted for 1% of electricity generation in April 2024. Electricity imports increased by 3 percentage points to 18%, the highest April share in five years, suggesting growing reliance on cross-border supply to maintain grid stability. Similarly, storage technologies contributed 2% to the mix, their highest April level to date, signaling incremental progress in energy flexibility and resilience. Zero-Carbon Sources & Carbon Intensity Zero-carbon sources, comprising wind, solar, nuclear, hydro accounted for 46% of electricity generation in April 2025. This represented a 13% decline from April 2024, and was accompanied by a sharp rise in carbon intensity to 133 gCO₂/kWh, a 45% year-on-year increase. Over a longer timeframe, the 12-month rolling average for zero-carbon generation stood at 49%, down 2% from the previous year. Meanwhile, the 12-month rolling average carbon intensity stood at 131 gCO₂/kWh, only 8% lower than the year before and a sharp contrast to the 22% year-on-year reduction recorded ju st six months earlier in October 2024. This underscores a concerning stagnation in Britain’s clean energy momentum. Concluding Remarks April's mixed performance highlights a concerning slowdown in Britain's progress towards a decarbonised energy grid. The decline in the share of renewables over the last 12-months, coupled with only an 8% year-on-year reduction in carbon intensity, highlights a loss of momentum in decarbonising the grid. While the increased supply from solar and storage is a positive development, the decline in wind, nuclear and hyrdo is concerning. Although wind's decline may reflect temporary weather conditions, the broader trend signals an urgent need to ramp up investment into renewables. To restore progress toward a resilient, net zero power system and reduce dependence on imports, Britain must accelerate the deployment of renewables and strengthen its commitment to long-term energy security. Britain's Electricity Summary Charts

Britain's Electricity Generation - March 2025

by Doug Mccauley • 9 April 2025

Fuel Type Breakdown In March 2025, gas was the leading source of Britain's electricity generation, contributing 31% of the energy mix, a 7% increase from March 2024. However, this was the second-lowest gas share for March in the last five years. Wind energy accounted for 26%, down 7% from March 2024. Solar contributed 7%, up 3% year-on-year, it's highest contribution for March in the previous five years. Hydro and storage maintained consistent contributions of 3% and 1%, respectively, matching their performance for every March in the last five years. Biomass contributed 5%, the same as March 2024; however, 3% below it's share in March 2021. Coal contributed 0%, following its phase-out in September 2024. For comparison, coal made up 1% of the mix in March 2024. Zero-Carbon Sources & Carbon Intensity Zero-carbon sources delivered 45% of Britain's electricity in March 2025 - 6% lower than March 2024 and the second-lowest March share in the past five years. This decline led to a higher carbon intensity, with emissions at 146 gCO₂/kWh, up 15% from March 2024. The rolling 12-month average for zero-carbon electricity remained at 50%, unchanged from the previous period, indicating stagnation in renewable integration. However, carbon intensity over this 12-month period continues to be the lowest of the past five years, at 127 gCO₂/kWh, and 14% lower than the previous 12-month period. Increasing renewable electricity generation remains crucial to achieving net-zero goals, enhancing energy security, and reducing reliance on imports. Britain's Electricity Summary Charts

UK Renewable Energy Approvals: Q4 2024

by Doug Mccauley • 4 April 2025

edenseven are following trends in the renewable energy sector closely, as decarbonising the energy sector is vital for ensuring a sustainable future and achieving Net Zero. Considering the recent DESNZ quarterly update of the renewable energy planning database, we have produced a consolidated summary of projects in the United Kingdom that have received planning permission. We will continue to release updates each quarter. INSIGHT In 2024, the UK approved 592 solar PV projects , the third-highest of any year in the last 15 years. However, the energy capacity expected to be delivered by these projects is 24% lower than in 2023. 2024 ranked 11th out of the last 15 years for the total number of onshore wind projects granted planning permission. These projects will deliver the lowest energy capacity for onshore wind approved for any year in the last 15 years, and is down 59% year-on-year. Energy capacity from offshore wind projects granted planning permission in 2024 saw a 62% drop compared to 2023, despite the same number of projects being approved as the prior year. Overall, the total approved renewable energy capacity from wind and solar projects dropped by 43% compared to 2023 , with offshore wind seeing the steepest decline. However, the average capacity per solar PV project increased by 50% , while onshore and offshore wind saw reductions of 63% and 62% , respectively. These findings suggest that we are not implementing wind and solar renewable energy projects quickly enough in the UK to achieve a decarbonised energy network by 2030.

electricity pylon against cloudy sky with text

Britain's Electricity Generation - February 2025

by Doug Mccauley • 12 March 2025

In February 2025, gas accounted for 33% of Britain’s electricity mix, making it the largest contributor, slightly ahead of wind energy, which supplied 32%. This marks a 6% increase in gas-generated electricity and a 3% decline in wind energy compared to February 2024. The highest-ever wind energy contribution for February was recorded in 2022, when it made up 40% of Britain's electricity mix. Solar, biomass, and storage delivered the same contributions as in February 2024, contributing 2%, 7% and 1% respectively. Nuclear energy saw a 1% increase, supplying 12% of Britain's electricity in February 2025 - its highest share for February in the past three years. However, this remains 2% below the levels recorded in February 2021 and 2022. Hydro contributed 2% of Britain’s electricity generation, a 1% decrease from its 3% share in February 2024. Coal, which was phased out of UK electricity generation in September 2024, contributed 0% in February 2025. For comparison, coal accounted for 1% of electricity generation in February 2024. Zero-carbon sources delivered 48% of Britain’s electricity in February 2025, 3% lower than in February 2024 and the third highest for February in the last five years. However, the rolling 12-month average for zero-carbon electricity remains at 50%, the highest of the past five years. The carbon intensity of electricity generation in February 2025 was 147 gCO₂/kWh, 11% higher than in February 2024 and the third highest of the last five years. Despite this, the rolling 12-month average carbon intensity stands at 126 gCO₂/kWh, the lowest in five years and 17% lower than the previous 12-month period. Increasing renewable electricity generation remains crucial to achieving net-zero goals, enhancing energy security, and reducing reliance on imports.