Zoom in on Net Zero - with BSI's Martin Townsend

BusinessGreen staff
clock • 1 min read

VIDEO: Director of BSI's Centre for Excellence for Sustainability chats to BusinessGreen's James Murray about the importance of clear standards and best practice in driving the net zero transition

Martin Townsend is a hugely experienced sustainability executive, with his career having taken in roles covering green policy and assessment at the Environment Agency and Defra, as well as over a decade at the Building Research Establishment (BRE).

Having joined the British Standards Institute (BSI) in 2019 as global head of sustainability and circular economy, he is now director of BSI's Centre of Excellence for Sustainability, where he leads on what is fast becoming a major area of focus for the standards-setting agency.

As well as helping industries and businesses to reduce their environmental and climate impacts in a way that helps to make them commercially successful, BSI has been working with former Bank of England governor Mark Carney on carbon offsetting standards, as well as the UK government on helping SMEs to improve their energy management through the Race to Zero campaign.

Recently, Townsend sat down for a chat with BusinessGreen's editor in chief James Murray which touched on BSI's history in environmental standard-setting, what 'good' looks like for businesses, and why standards, best practices and specifications are crucial to the net zero transition.

The conversation can be watched in full above.

This video is sponsored by BSI.

More on Carbon Accounting

Corporate climate retreat? Our numbers tell a different story entirely

Corporate climate retreat? Our numbers tell a different story entirely

Contrary to any prevailing narrative, the big picture is clear: corporate climate action is growing worldwide - writes David Kennedy, CEO of the Science-Based Targets initiative

David Kennedy, Science-Based Targets initiative
clock 14 August 2025 • 4 min read
'Disclosure dividend': Study shows how acting on climate data can deliver up to $21 for every $1 invested

'Disclosure dividend': Study shows how acting on climate data can deliver up to $21 for every $1 invested

New CDP report details how companies that accurately report on their carbon emissions can unlock significant financial benefits

clock 06 August 2025 • 3 min read
'Progress will not be linear': Amazon confirms emissions rose last year, despite wave of clean tech milestones

'Progress will not be linear': Amazon confirms emissions rose last year, despite wave of clean tech milestones

Annual sustainability report reveals tech giant's total emissions rose six per cent in 2024, even as carbon intensity fell four per cent

James Murray
clock 17 July 2025 • 3 min read