With climate change and sustainable economic development continuing to present the greatest challenges facing UK and international governments, the environment and sustainable development agenda is a top priority. Climate change and the transition to a low carbon economy bring huge challenges but also significant business opportunities. SQW provides insightful analysis and sound experience to meet these challenges and opportunities. We bring together teams of energy, carbon and environmental experts, economists and social scientists to provide both strategic advice and support for implementation to clients operating in a rapidly changing economic landscape.
Through our expertise in environmental policy, markets and regulation, we can help convert regulatory obligations into ‘first-mover’ opportunities for businesses and localities. We provide specialist advice on low carbon growth, climate change mitigation and climate risk/adaptation, and we have undertaken groundbreaking research on the economic impacts of environmental assets and interventions.
Examples of SQW projects
Economic Strategy for Northwest Bicester Eco Town
SQW was commissioned by P3Eco, the promoters of the Northwest Bicester eco-development, to produce an economic strategy as part of the planning application which complied fully with the Government’s Planning Policy guidance on eco towns. This included proposals for the creation of: at least as many jobs as homes, within or easily accessible to the development by foot, cycle or public transport; and for a high proportion of those jobs to be in the area of eco-technologies, using the eco-development as an exemplar and to stimulate new business formation and inward investment.
Just Adaptation Responses to Climate Change
SQW and Professor Paavola of the Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy were commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to undertake a study of just adaptation responses to climate change in the UK. The study explored existing approaches to local adaptation and how these take account of social justice issues. The project involved developing guidance for the future development of just local strategic responses by developing tools to assist in strategic decision-making about approaches and interventions.
Assessment of Cost Scenarios for Zero Waste Targets and the Landfill Directive
SQW was commissioned by the Scottish Government to assess the costs associated with the introduction of new waste infrastructure to meet the European Commission Landfill Directive and Scottish Government Zero Waste Targets. The work included a cost benefit analysis of delivering the Zero Waste policy for municipal waste up to 2025 (in accordance with the Treasury Green Book procedure), a review of different options (new facilities and infrastructure), the development of a Zero Waste flow model for Scotland, and sensitivity analyses on key underpinning assumptions.
Low Carbon Opportunities for Growth Feasibility Study
SQW was commissioned to carry out a feasibility study into a series of interventions proposed to support low carbon economic development in Kent. The proposed programme included business support, accreditation, and employer responsive training as well as a low carbon capital fund. The study included a review of existing and developing local and national provision, a survey of business and household demand, and consultations with industry and skills specialist in low carbon technologies. The outputs at interim and final stage were developed in close cooperation with Kent County Council as an input to the business case for the Low Carbon Opportunities for Growth programme.
Coastal Policy Review
SQW supported the Coastal Initiative Spatial Steering Group in the East of England to develop recommendations for changes to coastal policy based on evidence, planning policy changes and inputs from strategic planning authorities. This followed earlier work to examine governance issues across coastal areas in the East of England, based on three case study areas: North Norfolk, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, and the Blackwater Estuary. It used scenarios to test existing structures for resilience against a set of possible futures.
Appraisal Tool to Quantify the Impact of Investment in Design, Development and the Environment
SQW developed an appraisal tool and methodology to quantify the impact of investment across the Design, Development and Environment Directorate of the London Development Agency. The tool provided a framework for the consistent and evidence based approach to informing investment decisions across energy and waste, housing creation, commercial land development and public realm, green spaces and town centres. The study involved consultations with theme experts, the development of benchmarks for different types of interventions and the preparation of the tool, supporting internal appraisal processes.
Natural Environment Research Council Green Economy Strategy – Business Scoping Study
This scoping study was a contribution to the implementation of the Natural Environment Research Council’s Green Economy Strategy. It identified priority business needs and opportunities in selected sectors (ecosystem services, carbon accounting and trading, transport) and linked these to capabilities within the environmental science community in the UK, in order to determine knowledge exchange and commercialisation opportunities. The study prepared road maps illustrating business needs and their links to technologies and solutions.
Low Carbon Built Environment Innovation Park
SQW was commissioned to provide an economic case for Scottish Enterprise’s contribution towards the development of the Low Carbon Built Environment Innovation Park in North Lanarkshire. This included an assessment of quantitative and qualitative benefits including net additional Gross Value Added, employment and value for money for Scottish Enterprise.
Climate Adaptation Support for Small and Medium-size Enterprises
SQW, with the University of East Anglia, was commissioned by the East of England Climate Change Partnership to study Climate Change adaptation by small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in the region. The project identified threats and opportunities and support needs amongst SMEs and sectors. A regional conference brought the findings to a wider audience and developed thinking on how private and public business support organisations can support adaptation. The study included a media analysis of past severe weather events and weather/climate projections for analysis of UK Climate Impacts Programme data for 2009. It also tested the sustainability of adaption planning processes for use with the private sector.
The Environmental Considerations of Achieving Sustainable Economic Growth
SQW was tasked with mapping the environmental resources (natural and man-made) in the North West of England, and investigating the role that these might play in supporting the region’s socio-economic development objectives through to 2025. The focus of the study was on four critical types of infrastructures: energy, transport, water and waste. Using existing evidence from a very wide range of sources, SQW examined the current and likely future demand on these infrastructures, and offered policy options for how these demands might be managed to deliver growth and sustainability objectives.
Exploring the Relationship between Environmental Regulation and Competitiveness
SQW was commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to gather and analyse evidence on the impact of the design of environmental regulation on competitiveness. Specifically, the work examined productivity impacts and identified what forms of regulation are most likely to stimulate innovation. SQW conducted a literature review followed by a series of case studies that involved a combination of desk-based investigation and evidence gathering from stakeholders in case study areas.
Using Fiscal Incentives to Reduce Household and Business Carbon Emissions
We were commissioned by the Local Government Association to research the use of fiscal incentives at local authority scale to reduce household and business carbon emissions. We examined possibilities in relation to buildings, transport and waste, with particular emphasis on the use of Council Tax and various transport incentives and charges. The research included identification of existing good practice in the UK and internationally, and made recommendations based on the greatest potential impacts.