With climate change and sustainable economic development clearly emerging as the greatest challenges facing UK and international governments for the twenty-first century, the environment and sustainable development agenda is now a top priority. As identified by the Stern report, climate change brings with it huge challenges but also significant business opportunities. SQW is committed to expanding our services to meet these challenges and opportunities.
Through our expertise in environmental policy, markets and regulation, we can help convert regulatory obligations into ‘first-mover’ opportunity for businesses and regions. We provide specialist advice on low carbon growth and climate change mitigation and adaptation, and we have undertaken groundbreaking research on the economic impacts of environmental assets and interventions.
SQW employs specialist energy and carbon management experts who provide strategic advice to national and international clients in a rapidly changing economic landscape. Working with the energy industry, public and private sector organisations and NGOs, we help clients to understand and address issues in energy markets and regulation, energy technology strategy and policy, and carbon assessment and management.
Examples of SQW projects
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 to consider the role that these might play in supporting the region’s socio-economic development objectives through to 2025. The key 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 choices on how these demands might be managed to best accommodate growth and sustainability objectives.
The Value of Carbon Abatement Technologies for the UK
SQW, working with AEA Technology, carried out a quantitative economic analysis for BERR of the UK Carbon Abatement Technologies sector in terms of its current value and future opportunities. The analysis was based on desktop research (literature review and data analysis) and stakeholder interviews.
Business Opportunities and Challenges Presented by Carbon Emissions Targets
With Cambridge Econometrics and AEA Energy and Environment, SQW was asked by Northern Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to examine business opportunities and challenges presented by carbon emissions targets. We led on the literature review element, and on the stakeholder consultation, examining with business, sector bodies and public sector the extent and potential of the environmental goods and services sector in Northern Ireland and the potential impacts associated with emissions trading on other businesses. We then built on CE’s Business as Usual scenario projections to establish possible and appropriate policy options, which we tested with stakeholders at a workshop.
Exploring the Relationship between Environmental Regulation and Competitiveness
SQW was commissioned by Defra 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 a range of stakeholders in case study areas.
Cost Benefit Analysis of Sustainable Public Procurement
This study for Defra involved cost benefit analyses of a sample of public procurement initiatives in order to evaluate their efficacy as a policy tool. Our approach comprised two phases, the first of which was a scoping study to review available literature and identify existing sustainable procurement initiatives appropriate for case study research. We drew up a long list of 10-20 examples, to include examples of timber and food procurement, examples in the UK, wider EU and internationally, and where certain criteria for undertaking the cost benefit analysis have been fulfilled. The second phase comprised detailed cost benefit analyses of six specific cases.
Operational Programme for the East of England’s Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective 2007-2013
SQW was commissioned to prepare the Operational Programme for the East of England for the Structural Fund Competitiveness and Employment Objective for the period 2007-2013. In discussion with the steering group we agreed the principal theme of the Programme as “low carbon economic growth”. The Programme had to have a strong evidence base, and some difficult choices had to be made regarding content in order to ensure the Programme focused on supporting practical measures to support low carbon growth. The process of Programme preparation included substantial consultation and a series of workshops with different stakeholders around the region.
Independent Assessment of the Carbon Trust’s Future Impact Estimation Methodology and Tool
SQW was appointed to carry out an independent assessment of the Carbon Trust’s Future Impact Estimation (FIE) methodology and tool, being used to assess the additional impact on carbon dioxide savings from the Trust’s business and technology support activities. We reviewed the two key parts of the FIE methodology, namely project-level estimation of the potential carbon ‘prize’ for each technology/concept backed, and estimation of the additionality associated with the Carbon Trust intervention.
Using Fiscal Incentives to Reduce Household and Business Carbon Emissions
We were commissioned by the Local Government Association to research into using 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.
Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship
SQW was commissioned by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales to assess the engagement of the Welsh higher education sector in education for sustainable development and global citizenship. We reviewed strategies and plans submitted by higher education institutions to develop a baseline of current activities, and undertook consultations with HEIs and other stakeholders.
Feasibility Study and Business Plan for a Sustainable Industrial Park
SQW was commissioned by the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation to identify the market focus and develop a high level business plan for a sustainable industrial park (SIP) at Dagenham Dock, East London. The focus for the SIP will be businesses from the environmental technologies sectors in construction, materials, recycling and energy. The SIP will also accommodate the Thames Gateway Institute for Sustainability, an independent, private sector led charity created to advance, through research and applications, the UK’s ability to deliver solutions for a sustainable future.