“We need to act to make sure we have a better future for ourselves and those around us”

We spoke to Justin Jacober, Managing Director of Centrica Business Solutions about enabling net zero 

Sustainability has been put on the back burner. 

This is what Justin Jacober, Managing Director at Centrica Business Solutions told us. 

He said: ‘I think some companies are just focused on survival.  

‘Even if you’re still focused on how [you’re] going to make payroll, you still don’t want to lose sight of what the net impact to the environment, in which you are operating, is going to be. 

‘It’ll take all of us and it’ll take actions right now. And we all need to act.  

‘It’s a matter of if we all take significant steps towards decarbonising our heat and energy networks. That’s the key.’ 

Business that don’t have the time and resources to think about sustainability can outsource sustainability to energy partners to help them with the transition. 

Justin said: ‘What we should as an industry do is let you get on with what you’re good at. So you need to run your business, you need to focus on taking care of your employees and your customers. What we need to do is take care of that for you. 

‘[We] come in with you, assess your unique roadmap to get to net zero and I can take it off your plate.   

‘In five years you can make a pretty significant impact. So you decarbonise your heat networks, your energy networks, while you save a bunch of money. 

‘It’s my job to help companies decarbonise, to leverage how we build, own, operate decarbonised solutions. But it’s everyone’s job to make sure that they're asking the right questions at the right time, to get people like me and others into the organisation to help out.’ 

Mr Jacober emphasises on the importance of engaging with sustainability, without which businesses will likely be penalised by stakeholders. 

He said: ‘I think it’ll be a license that will be removed from them, either through investors or customers choosing someone different. So I think it’s kind of at your peril but the time to act is now. 

‘I can’t imagine why, if you can save some money while you’re [decarbonising], why you wouldn’t do it today.’ 

Watch the full episode to find out how Centrica Business Solutions can help your business reach net zero.