Transition Derby

Transition Derby welcomes the Lloyd’s / Chatham House ‘Sustainable Energy Security’ White Paper, which highlights critical issues surrounding energy vulnerabilities and risks for business. These are the challenges which the Transition Network of initiatives has been addressing for the last four years, recognising that business-as-usual is no longer an option. Rob Hopkins, founder of the Transition movement, comments: “We can only address challenges of this scale if all sectors of society respond urgently. This groundbreaking report highlights the importance of a collaborative response from active citizens, communities, and businesses. The rapidly growing Transition movement is already pioneering the changes that are required worldwide. The insurance industry was one of the first to recognise the risks of climate change and is now demonstrating continuing insight by acknowledging the critical strategic implications of resource scarcity and in particular peak oil.” The White Paper states that “businesses which prepare for and take advantage of the new energy reality will prosper” and continues “failure to do so could be catastrophic”. The report concludes “energy security is now inseparable from the transition to a low-carbon economy…” The Transition Network’s approach brings innovative techniques for building resilience in the face of the global lack of energy security, and unlocking the potential of communities and organisations to prosper in uncertain times. Transition Network recently formed a consulting division, Transition Training and Consulting (TTandC), specifically to help businesses, both private and public sector, to assess and reduce their energy and resource vulnerabilities. TTandC is actively helping businesses and other organisations who wish to take on the challenges and opportunities that energy security represents. “It takes real vision and enterprise to move into unknown territory, and create the businesses of tomorrow today,” said Fiona Ward of TTandC.  “The implication of this report is that there will be winners and losers as energy scarcity bites. The businesses that are acting now will be much more likely to succeed.” Hopkins added “This is the time for business to embrace the transition we all need to make.  Investment in renewable energy and ‘intelligent’ infrastructures is booming. This revolution presents huge opportunities for new business partnerships. It’s our assertion that communities need to be a central player in this process. The growing number of Transition initiatives nationwide illustrates how individuals are already taking responsibility this, combined with the impetus this report will create, is hugely hopeful.”