Scottish entrepreneur urges businesses to collaborate to tackle climate change

AN ENTREPRENEUR behind a Scottish solutions business says collaboration is key to tackling the climate change crisis.

Speaking at an event held in Glasgow to coincide with COP26, Eddie Black, who is the founder and Managing Director of Eco Group, called on businesses to share knowledge and expertise in order to drive innovation and maximise opportunities.

Eddie was part of a panel of business leaders chosen to discuss how Scottish SMEs can start their journey to net zero, as part of Scotland’s Climate Ambition Zone.

Eddie said: “Businesses need to embrace the move to net zero and build it into the ethos of their companies. By taking a positive approach and communicating with and educating your team, clients and associates, we can drive innovation and make change happen.

“The best thing a business can do to start the journey to net zero is to make a commitment to try to make a difference. Create a roadmap for what you want to achieve and work towards it. Build on the expertise of people around you and work in partnership with other businesses who can help you achieve your goals.

“You might be only 50 per cent successful but it’s better to have 50 per cent of something rather than nothing. If you keep creating opportunities and making positive changes, then you will succeed.

“The future is in our hands but we need to take action to make a difference.”

Eco Group, which is based at Annan in Dumfries and Galloway, has a proven track record of creating and delivering solutions for businesses and is forging ahead with the projects to help Scotland deliver its net zero target. The Scottish Government’s ambition for Scotland is to achieve net zero by 2045.

As well as a series of online conversations and debates, Scotland’s Climate Ambition Zone includes a 24/7 virtual exhibition space showcasing innovative Scottish firms such as Eco Group.

Eco is using the opportunity to highlight its range of products and services which can be used across business sectors to help cut carbon emissions. They include hybrid solar and wind sustainable street lighting to save 80 per cent of existing lighting systems; easy to install electric vehicle charging points to encourage the switch from fossil fuel vehicles; and reducing drivers’ carbon footprint up to 93 per cent by replacing diesel with hydrated vegetable oil (HVO).

Scotland’s Climate Ambition Zone is a programme of virtual events aimed at highlighting Scotland as a world-class location of inspiring green projects and companies.

Organised by Scottish Enterprise and its partners, the initiative runs over the same period as the main COP26 global climate summit, which takes place in Glasgow until November 12.

The UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties 26 (COP26) brings together heads of state, climate experts and campaigners to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change.