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51 (146) 2021

Green for Glasgow, Green for Good

The BPCC Sustainability Interest Group

By Jan J. Kluk OBE, KCPR, FRSA
Header foto


Because of the publicity around the COP26 conference hosted by the UK government, in Glasgow, the use of the word ‘sustainability’ has increased in frequency. But ‘Sustainability’ must surely be much more than a buzzword. More than just ‘greenwashing’.

We all know that the concept of sustainability itself is hardly new – Britain’s favourite naturalist, Sir David Attenborough, now turned 95, is recognised as a worldwide authority on sustainability.

Both Prince Charles, who for at least the last 20 years is well known for his views on ecology and sustainable farming, and Sir David were keynote speakers at the COP 26 conference. Throughout his long career, Sir David wrote and narrated a succession of award-winning television programmes on anthropology and natural history, most notably the Life series: Life on Earth (1979) and The Living Planet (1984). He has been warning the world of the consequences of not addressing the problems associated with of climate change.

In a world warmed by 1.5C, around 14% of the world’s 7.9 billion people would experience severe heatwaves at least once every five years. At 2C of warming, the number of people affected would be three times greater, exposing an additional 1.7 billion people to life-threatening extreme heat.

There are of course still people who are not convinced of the importance of sustainability. There are folk who don’t believe that Covid exists, and others who would have us believe that the Earth is flat. We believe in the freedom of speech, so let them think what they like.

However, because of the importance of taking appropriate action resulting from the sustainability debate, we have embraced the idea of starting a BPCC Sustainability Interest Group.

Our aim is to take a pragmatic, hands on approach to finding out what enterprises really think about the issues around sustainability, the costs involved, and its real effect on the health of business enterprises.  

Sustainability is important for a very simple, very straightforward reason: we cannot maintain our quality of life as human beings, the diversity of life on Earth, or Earth’s ecosystems unless we embrace sustainability. There are indications from most leading authorities worldwide, that sustainability is something we must address, now. To quote Boris Johnson, “it’s five minutes to midnight”.  If we don’t change our attitude and behaviour, thousands of animal species will become extinct. We will run out of timber. We already have severe droughts. We will damage the atmosphere beyond repair. We will pollute the air that we breathe.  The root of that change lies in first understanding and then striving for sustainability – this is a case for acting locally, in our own homes, in our communities, schools, universities, and in our ecosystems. The benefits will be felt globally.


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The Sustainability Group will be chaired by Jan J. Kluk. OBE, supported by Barbara Stachowiak-Kowalska. MBE., a member of the BPCC board.

As an honorary member of the BPCC, Jan Kluk is known to many of our Polish and British community who remember Jan as one of the founding members of the BPCC, who served as BPCC chairman for three consecutive terms. After many years of corporate life in international businesses, Jan is now deeply involved in the non-profit Axelorum Group, members of which are creating the non-profit Axelorum Foundation. The group brings with its experts on pragmatic sustainability projects and is structured around the United Nations Agenda 2030, and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

More in Green for Glasgow, Green for Good:

Green taxes

By Monika Marta Dziedzic, tax advisor, legal advisor, partner and leader of International Tax Law and Green Taxation teams at MDDP Michalik Dłuska Dziedzic & Partners


The EU wants to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. At the 2021 Green Taxation Event with Paolo Gentiloni, EU Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, the EU indicated that it wants tax changes to support climate protection. What are green taxes? These form a whole system of public statutory obligations that burden activities which have a negative impact on the environment, and provide incentives to promote sustainable solutions. Together they form a group of tools  from different areas of tax law and other public obligations aimed at reaching climate and environmental goals. What areas and spheres of economic and civic life are they intended to address?

EU poised to issue sweeping new due diligence Directive

By Randy Mott JD, director for EAME, CHWMEG Inc.


Earlier this year, the European Parliament approved a sweeping new Directive requiring due diligence on supply chains for every company operating in the EU with more than 250 employees1. The proposal is expected to be finalised this month and may be modified somewhat due to strong business opposition.

Helping the region’s cities develop sustainably

Warsaw is the first city in Poland to have joined the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s Green Cities programme. As such, Poland’s capital and largest city is currently finalising a tailor-made strategic action plan, which will help it in its journey towards becoming climate neutral by 2050.

Tackling the climate emergency: SEGRO’s responsible strategy for a lower carbon future

By Waldemar Witczak, regional director, SEGRO


The real-estate sector is a significant contributor to carbon emissions through the construction and operation of buildings. So responsible development and decarbonisation could be a real game-changer to help address global climate change. In line with this idea, one of the largest players in the European warehousing industry, SEGRO, has included long-term sustainability targets in the latest review of its business strategy. The company also set itself the goal to become net-zero carbon by 2030. In addition to achieving and maintaining the lowest CO2 footprint possible, its Responsible SEGRO framework also outlines how the company will invest in local communities and nurture talent to ensure it can be a force for societal and environmental good.