24 hours at the edge of the world: It's time to close the say/do gap

As we strive to achieve our collective climate change ambitions, it’s always instructive to take a moment to reflect on recent campaigns and initiatives.

When I consider our recently completed "24 Hours at the edge of the world" campaign, I’m reminded of what inspired it in the first place – the urgent need to close the say/do gap when it comes to climate goals.

On the back of the commitments made at COP26, it was apparent to us that there was a clear need to build a stronger link between what companies say and what they do. A need to turn ambition into action. Action with impact. And that’s what our "24 Hours” campaign was designed to demonstrate – the impact we can make across many different nations, sectors, customers and teams.

The campaign turned the spotlight on our work across Mobility, Rail, Energy and Innovation and featured four original films and twelve articles highlighting a huge range of diverse projects we’ve been involved in – from driverless trains on the Copenhagen Metro and a transformational energy programme on the Isles of Scilly, to electrifying the largest depot in Europe with First Bus in Glasgow and High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) interconnectors transporting power to millions of homes and businesses across the globe.

We’re proud to have been a part of all these projects and many more but the key word here is "part” – no single organisation, government or nation can achieve our ambitious climate goals alone and the work we do across all sectors is inter-linked and only possible if we come together with like-minded partners. Closing the say/do gap is only possible through collaboration and collaboration is at its best when it is powered by endeavour – steely determination and an unwavering commitment to getting the job done.

As the title of our campaign suggests, our work to deliver a successful green transition never stops. There are many individuals we want to thank for their support on "24 Hours” because meeting this climate challenge is all about people – clever, committed, collaborative people. Ultimately, it is people who will make the difference.

But at the same time, the reality is that the clock is ticking. Which is why we are already at the advanced planning stages for the follow-up to "24 Hours at the edge of the world.” There is so much more work to do. And there is no time to lose.