The Running Horse is an appropriately named place for an evening with environmental consultant Environ

One of the oldest pubs in Mayfair, the Horse was built in a London free of cars and carbon emissions amd my fellow pinters are keen to discuss the prospects of success at the upcoming Copenhagen climate change conference.

β€œThe new US administration is embracing climate change, and then you have the governor of California on board,” says Richard, brightly. β€œI’m looking forward to Copenhagen.”

Rob is more cautious, and believes Obama has to show he will deliver on the environment, especially since he was awarded the Nobel peace prize. Richard thinks the real issue of climate change is the effects of drought in Africa.

β€œThe likelihood is that millions from the tropics affected by water shortage will have to move. Everybody seems to have forgotten about the human migration impact. That’s big.”

When conversation dries up, I always end up throwing in a question about celebrity TV shows. There’s a silence before Rob helps me out. β€œYou end up watching them. Once you know the characters you start rooting for them.”

Nobody else has anything to add – they are intelligent environmental professionals, after all – but Richard does admit to being keen on one reality TV programme.

β€œI like Autumnwatch,” he says. β€œIt’s fascinating.” The BBC wildlife programme has been following a herd of red deer. β€œIt’s the rutting season,” explains Richard, β€œand Titus has just been killed by a rival stag.” Rival stag Percy is surely the first dominant male ever to go by that name.

Another recent death also made an impression on Richard. β€œIt was sad to see the demise of Keith Floyd,” he says. β€œHe made it acceptable for men to talk about cooking in pubs.”

For Hannah it’s Jamie Oliver’s cookbooks that take pride of place in the kitchen. β€œHis book on vegetables is very good. It means I can raid my parents’ garden for the ingredients.”

Nektarios is not so convinced by English food. β€œI mostly cook Greek. Mainly learned from my mum,” he says, turning his nose up slightly at the thought of cooking Γ  l’anglaise.

As he’s from Athens, I quiz Nektarios on the legacy of the 2004 Olympics, and am surprised to hear that around 70% of the venues are in regular use. Reports suggested a city of sporting white elephants. He does say Britain’s Olympics seem more organised.

There is unanimous approval of the London 2012 Olympics. Hannah hopes that living in Stratford will enable her to see a few events, perhaps horse riding. To the surprise of her colleagues she rides regularly in Millwall, an area not known for its gallops. It’s usually only police officers who get to ride horses in Millwall ...

Venue: The Running Horse, a spruced-up Victorian pub for the well-groomed office workers of Mayfair Topics discussed: the Copenhagen conference,
TV chefs, Olympic venues, horses Drinks drunk: three bitters, three lagers, a lemonade and an orange juice

Who's who

Rob Askew manager, Environ

Richard Hook manager, Environ

Nektarios Moraitis  consultant

Hannah Lewis  consultant

Caroline Chilton European marketing and communications executive

Alex Smith ΊΓΙ«ΟΘΙϊTV

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