Sustainability First

This article is part of the Climate project of Spinwatch.

Sustainability First is a registered charity developing policy ideas in areas of 'energy, waste and the roles of economic and other regulators in sustainability policy'. according to its sparse website 'It undertakes research; publishes policy and discussion papers; organises high level seminars and other events to promote its ideas.'

Low Carbon Sector Connections

Sustainability First is one of a number of well-linked low carbon and environmental goods and services organisations based in the Grosvenor Gardens area. It shares boardroom connections and an office with the Combined Heat and Power Association based in the same building. It is also connected, via its trustees, to Ofgem and Scottish and Southern Energy, making it far from an independent source on the effectiveness of climate initiatives.

Activities

It was formed in 2003 and has carried out high profile research on the sustainability roles of Ofwat and Ofgem sponsored by RWE npower. . It has held events with the Sustainable Development Commission and senior representatives of DEFRA, DTI, the Environment Agency, energy and water companies, consumer organisations and academics.

Other projects include a 2009 water efficiency study sponsored by EAGA plc, and work on smart meters and smart tariffs for gas and energy.

Trustees

According to their modest website frontpage, as of 2009 the trustees were:

Phil Barton is Director of RENEW, the Northwest Centre for Regeneration Excellence.

Ted Cantle CBE is a Member of the Environment Agency Board, Chair of the Solace Environment Panel and Chair of the Community Cohesion Panel. He was formerly Chief Executive of Nottingham City Council and Chair of the DTI Construction Task Force for local government.

John Hobson is an independent policy adviser working on construction, education and sustainability. Previously he was Construction Director in the Department of Trade and Industry.

Derek Osborn CBE is a senior environmentalist advising on long-term strategic issues for governments, international bodies, business and the voluntary sector. He is a member of the UK Sustainable Development Commission, chairman of Stakeholder Forum for Our Common Future, a non Executive Director of Severn Trent PLC.

Trevor Pugh is Director of Environment at the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.He promotes sustainable building as London Regional Champion for the Constructing Excellence programme and produced local authority guidance on climate change, sustainability and Best Value.

David Sigsworth is Generation Director of Scottish and Southern Energy. Previously he was SSE's Commercial Director, Energy Trading Director and Energy Supply Director. He is also SSE's Lead Director on the Environment and a former Chairman of the Combined Heat and Power Association.

Dr Gill Owen is an energy and environmental policy consultant and Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Management under Regulation at Warwick Business School. She is a former member of the Competition Commission and non-executive member of the board of the energy regulator Ofgem.

Contact

Address:

Sustainability First

c/o CHPA

Grosvenor Gardens House

35-37 Grosvenor Gardens

London

SW1W 0BS

Phone:

Email: info@sustainabilityfirst.org.uk

Website: http://www.sustainabilityfirst.org.uk/