A bright idea from Bulb
Bulb HQ; image courtesy of Bulb.
by Jade French
Net zero: a phrase you might have heard on the news or in political pledges. It’s the promise that by 2050, there will be a balance between greenhouses gases produced (such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide) and the amount removed from the atmosphere. In light of this, businesses are aiming to re-balance the greenhouse books, offset emissions and strategise to create sustainable, long-term solutions.
It’s no surprise that green energy company Bulb is leading the charge — they build new technology to help members switch to smart, low-carbon energy solutions and offer 100% renewable electricity and 100% carbon neutral gas. As Geraldine de Boisse, Bulb VP of Innovation, told us: “When Bulb was founded, only 1% of UK households were with renewable energy suppliers. That figure is now over 30%”.
In fact, according to recent research from McKinsey, more than 50% of global power generation will come from renewable sources by the year 2035. For Bulb, “smart meters, smart thermostats, in-home batteries and electric vehicles (EVs) are transitioning from niche to mainstream. We'll keep developing technology and offering new products (like energy management options for EV drivers and better domestic battery technology) that will help the country cut carbon emissions and meet net zero 2050 targets, making managing energy simpler, cheaper and greener”. Taking the right step as consumers can help save money and save the planet.
Beyond green energy solutions for consumers, Bulb is also focusing on broader solutions to the climate crisis with their Tech Zero programme. Working with technology-based start-ups such as Citymapper, Habito, Moneysupermarket Group, OLIO, Wise and many others, they have pledged to help companies tackle climate change together. Their toolkit demystifies climate jargon and makes it simpler for companies to set a net zero plan and they encourage companies to sign up to Tech Zero commitments.
There are huge gains to be made. The aim is, Geraldine continues, “We want companies around the world of all sizes to join us by making the Tech Zero commitments and taking action to reduce their emissions”.
Tackling climate change will require everyone working together, not only in terms of individual choices but also when it comes to large-scale action. How does Tech Zero encourage potential competitors to collaborate?
“It’s simple: by working together, we can accelerate progress to net zero. Many companies we’ve been speaking to agree — they want to collaborate and learn from each other. Setting net zero goals isn’t easy, and not something business leaders were necessarily thinking about many years ago. Companies are grappling with the challenge of net zero: the language is confusing and often people don’t have big budgets for sustainability teams or consultants. By coming together, companies can support one another and work towards a common goal.”
It’s not just about businesses tackling these issues alone. Bulb is also working with the UK Government to boost green investment and help tech companies create green jobs, make green choices and encourage consumers to switch to green technologies.
Beyond the UK, Bulb has “exciting plans for Tech Zero. We recently became an official partner to the UN’s Race to Zero, a global campaign to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities and regions around the world for a resilient zero carbon recovery. When companies make the Tech Zero commitments, they’re also enrolled in the Race to Zero. We’re also expanding the taskforce internationally — we’ll be launching local chapters in Spain, France and Texas later this year and we’ve opened up applications to businesses around the world”.
So, what can we do to help?
“We can’t rely on new technology alone. There are simple steps all businesses can take to reduce their emissions right now, like switching to renewable energy and reducing waste.” In the workplace, you could advocate at the company you work for and encourage them to join Tech Zero to connect with like-minded people all over the world; download the toolkits; and build a climate action plan.
Geraldine also advises that “on a personal level, there are simple and quick ways to reduce your carbon footprint at home. Some of my top tips include switching to renewable energy, having a smart meter installed so you can track energy usage in real time and using Bulb’s carbon calculator to find out the size of your carbon impact and understand how you can reduce your carbon emissions”.
From small, individual changes to big government policies, tackling the climate crisis requires us to collectively come together and work on new ways of giving back to the planet. Bulb’s Tech Zero approach is an illuminating step in the right direction.