In December 2024, E4environment Ltd proudly marked its 25th year in business. This milestone is a testament to the company's resilience and dedication, especially considering the early days when environmental concerns were often seen as optional luxuries. Directors, Dr Mandy Stoker and Deb Cairns-Stoll reflect on the changes in business over the past 25 years.
When E4environment was founded in 1999, the focus was primarily on waste management and renewable energy, particularly wind farms. The journey was challenging, with planning applications for wind farms taking up to five years and facing organised protests and widespread myths. Despite these hurdles, E4environment successfully worked on over 100 wind farm planning applications. Today, the UK boasts over 30 GW of installed wind capacity, contributing to 20% of the nation's electricity generation.
Waste management has also seen significant changes. Early on, planning applications for new waste transfer sites were met with resistance, sometimes even personal attacks. However, the landscape has evolved, with today's waste sites being highly engineered and regulated subject to strict regulatory requirements. Items such as PCs, TVs, and clothes are now reused, and materials such as paper, aluminium, and plastic are recycled. The introduction of Energy from Waste (EfW) sites has further reduced waste to landfill, which dropped from 50 million tonnes in 2000 to 1.76 million tonnes in 2023.
E4environment played a crucial role in developing large-scale composting sites and Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facilities. AD allows organic waste to biodegrade without oxygen, producing methane which is used to generate electricity or be injected directly to the gas grid. The resultant digestate is used as a valuable fertilizer. This work highlighted the importance of soil health and led to further research into soil biology.
What about the future?
The support and advice provided by E4environment has been driven by regulations aimed at controlling pollution and mitigating climate change. Businesses are increasingly recognizing the importance of sustainability, driven by consumer demand, particularly from millennials. The year 2019 was pivotal, with events like the airing of "Blue Planet II," Greta Thunberg's rise to prominence, and the first Extinction Rebellion protests, leading to the UK Government declaring a Climate Emergency and setting a 2050 Net Zero target.
Green Schemes and Future Goals
E4environment has always been at the forefront of providing digital solutions to support legal requirements cost-effectively. Current schemes like Sustainable Leaders in Business and Sustainable Leaders in Sport continue this legacy, with new initiatives like Sustainable Agriculture in development.
Despite the progress made, there is still much to do. Global energy-related CO2 emissions reached a record high in 2024, and wildlife in the UK has significantly declined since the 1970s. E4environment remains committed to setting goals to reduce emissions and help others do the same, striving to leave the world a better place for future generations.
E4environment's journey over the past 25 years highlights the challenges and triumphs of advocating for environmental sustainability. As they look to the future, their commitment to reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices remains unwavering.
Dr. Mandy Stoker - Founder & Director
Deb Cairns-Stoll - Director
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