Although sustainability is every bit as important an issue for the security industry as it is for any other, our first question has to be: “What exactly does sustainability mean?”
In 1987, respected Norwegian physicist Doctor Gro Harlem Brundtland defined the concept as: “…development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs…” With this in mind, it’s time for the security sector to develop a collective response to calls for a more sustainable world, ushering in a genuine era of sustainable safety and security.
All departments within corporate environments are having to think about integrating sustainability into their systems and practices, but this begs the question: “Where do security managers/professionals and consultants sit within this equation?”
I like to believe that I try my level best to be a good citizen. I recycle my waste at home and in the office, and spend extra minutes every day putting my plastic bottles in the black bin, my newspapers in the green bin and everything else in the blue bin – I hope I’m doing it right or a hefty fine’s heading my way! – only to read about the whole lot being dumped as one at landfill sites!
How might the security sector help ‘save the planet’? Well, as part of our sales pitches focusing on cutting-edge technologies and solutions, why don’t we stop for a minute and give consideration to designing cutting-edge sustainable systems? There are a number of simple things we can do, such as:
- employ renewable energy sources for security systems – solar energy does work, even in the rain;
- use existing infrastructures when installing new systems;
- look for sustainable consumption and production of materials;
- use local skills to minimise travel as well as developing local training programmes to upskill local workers;
- use the environment itself as a way of increasing security and safety through the design, appearance and siting of buildings and the imaginative use of landscaping – the very basis of ‘Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design’.
As an industry we can often expel a great deal of hot air (in turn helping to destroy the ozone layer…) by looking simply for professional recognition of our security credentials from our peers. Well, now’s the time for the industry to start showing ALL of its credentials – but mostly the ‘green’ ones.
Martin Segal MISecM
Business Development Manager (Security)
Capita Symonds