North-east firms are leading the way in promoting an environmentally friendly Britain. But much more needs to be done, according to Mike McNulty.

Tees Valley project manager at the Environment Agency, he is delighted by the region's progress in delivering sustainable green projects and helping Britain reduce its carbon footprint.

Mike says: "While there is still much to do in this respect, the North-east has been pioneering projects that are helping to reduce energy consumption and cut environmental waste.

There's now a broad consensus on the scientific evidence that man-made carbon dioxide is causing climate change - if we don't take action now to reduce emissions, we will be moving towards a point where much more severe consequences of climate change will be experienced."

For Mike, who has more than 30 years' experience in tackling environmental issues, changing attitudes and behaviour is essential to the successful delivery of a brave new, greener world.

He believes it could take many years - even decades - for everyone to engage with eco improvement.

He says: "We need a simple, coherent message on climate change; something that everyone can understand.

"The language of explaining this issue can be difficult but if we have something happening in local communities, residents can take ownership of the issue."

Resource Efficiency

Plenty is happening in the North-east. MGT Power's plans for a £400m biomass plant at Teesport will create 600 construction jobs, 150 on-site positions and 300-400 jobs each year in the local supply chain, boosting the local economy to the tune of £30m per year.

Meanwhile, Ensus' £250m bioethanol plant, emerging on Wilton's skyline, is designed to boost home-grown production of bio-fuel and open up new markets for local farmers.

In addition, Mike is busy promoting the benefits of resource efficiency for businesses via the Tees Valley Green Business Network, an information resource for companies looking to

capitalise on the commercial benefits of 'green' projects.

Mike says: "It makes good business sense to take advantage of the financial benefits of using less energy and paying less for waste disposal, as well as having good environmental

credentials that could well give a competitive edge."

Mike has been at the forefront of this PR drive long before he joined the Environment Agency in 1996. He helped to improve the management of waste while working at the former Cleveland County Council.

Cutting Energy Consumption

At the Environment Agency, he worked as waste regulation manager and environment manager, where he has been involved in a wide range of issues such as water quality control and waste management.

Currently Tees Valley project manager, he is responsible primarily for driving forward the agency's activities within the area and developing partnerships to promote the protection and enhancement of the local environment.

Also a member of the Chartered Institution of Waste Management and a Chartered Environmentalist, Mike firmly believes that cutting energy consumption is just as important as developing new technologies to create alternative energy sources.

He says: "In ten years, I am confident that we'll have an energy mix with a higher renewable content.

What we also need to be doing is reduce our energy consumption by switching off PCs, using low-energy light bulbs, recycling more of our everyday waste and being less dependent on our cars. "This will help to radically reduce our carbon footprint."

Renewable Sources

He believes ambitious national and EU renewable energy targets have sent this issue rocketing uppolicymakers' agendas.

Brussels wants the UK to produce from renewable sources 15% of total energy generated by 2020. He says: "These targets have concentrated the minds of policy-makers.

Now they have to communicate the benefits of achieving these goals in very simple terms to the general public and local businesses."

The Environment Agency has been particularly keen to involve industry in the drive to limit carbon emissions by requiring companies it regulates to look at more efficient use of energy and other resources.

The agency is also helping residents and businesses to prepare for the inevitable consequences of climate change by advising on issues such as flood risk and wildlife preservation.