The low carbon economy is the focus of a major conference in Cornwall next week (Jan 21) when Peter Wright, former technical director of Formula 1 and President of the Commission for Environmentally Sustainable Motorsport, will explain how businesses can aim for growth, but with less environmental impact.
Organised by Oxford Innovation, the event will be chaired by Professor Ian Fells CBE, Emeritus Professor of Energy Conversion at the University of Newcastle, and there will be a video address from Mark Prisk MP, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise with the Low Carbon Economy portfolio.
The keynote speaker is Lord Jonathan Marland, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change, who will outline how EU and UK climate change and energy policy is driving the business agenda.
“Businesses need to risk-assess their strategy against low carbon regulation”
Conference organiser Candida Whitmill, who is Oxford Innovation’s low carbon & sustainability advisor in Cornwall, said: “This is a rare opportunity for local businesses to meet with national and local policymakers and hear first-hand how the low carbon economy is shaping the business agenda.
“Businesses need to risk-assess their strategy against low carbon regulation, rising energy prices and consumers and buyers increasingly showing a preference for goods and services with less environmental impact. This is especially true with public sector tenders and businesses risk being cut out of the supply chain unless they can demonstrate they are green compliant.
“But the drive to reduce carbon also opens up new markets and opportunities, and Oxford Innovation is working with forward-thinking businesses in Cornwall that are already gaining competitive advantage and generating profit by looking to the future and adapting their business models.”
Other speakers include Nick Buckland OBE, director of the South West RDA; Andrew Honey, director at Microgeneration Ltd and a board member of the Cornwall Development Company; and Andrew Farmer, project manager of Oxford Innovation’s High Growth Programme.
The conference includes a panel session with the key speakers and a series of workshops in the afternoon, and will also look at ways to reduce energy consumption through micro-generation, taking advantage of the new Feed-in Tariffs for renewable energy.
It takes place at St Mellion Golf and Country Club on Friday January 21 from 9am to 4.30pm. There are some limited places remaining, interested businesses should contact Anna John.
