ACO Technologies has honoured the achievements of one of the UK’s leading voices in climate action through the planting of a new tree at the University of Cambridge.
The Great White Cherry tree is the latest to be added to the ‘Cherry Tree Avenue’ at Selwyn College, which is the alma mater of Rt Hon The Lord Deben.
The tree planting was, in itself, a symbolic way to commemorate Lord Deben’s tireless championing of environmental causes, with the Environment Act 1995 and National Forest among his notable achievements while in public service.
The former Secretary of State for the Environment most recently held the role of Chairman of the Climate Change Committee for over ten years, before stepping down in 2023.
The ceremony, which took place in October, is part of a series of events honouring the 40th anniversary of ACO Technologies in the UK. Lord Deben was joined by his wife Penelope; as well as Managing Partner of ACO Group, Iver Ahlmann and his wife Catharina Ahlmann; and Mike Simpson Lane, Managing Director of ACO Technologies.
Mike Simpson Lane, Managing Director of ACO Technologies, comments: “In a world thankfully increasingly focused on sustainability, it’s easy to forget that the path to environmental awareness wasn’t always well-trodden.
“Lord Deben’s influence on shaping sustainable thinking and inspiring action over the past four decades is undeniable. While this one tree is well shy of the eight million planted in the National Forest, we hope it will hold special significance to Lord Deben and form a small part of what is already a defining legacy, while also highlighting the foundational role effective education can play in fighting climate change.”
ACO Technologies first began operating in the UK in 1984 and over the past 40 years the company has played a pivotal role in helping the construction industry navigate climate challenges related to managing surface water.
It remains committed to championing innovation in both the field of water management and the built environment as a whole, through the facilitation of greater industry collaboration around closer alignment with many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mike concludes: “As we look forward to our own future, we must not lose sight of the achievements of those who have gone before us. Climate change remains the defining challenge of our era, however in Lord Deben’s own words ‘the task is huge, but we must continue.'”
PIC-ACO
