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It's never been more important to take action on Climate
Change
29 April 2009
On 1 May, over 200 business people from across the South West
will gather for The Prince's May Day Summit at Bush House, Bristol,
to learn, amongst other things, how taking action on climate change
can help them survive the global recession.
The May Day Summit is unique in its format and content. The
Bristol event, which is sponsored by the South West RDA and the
Homes & Communities Agency, is one of ten regional summits
across the UK, all of which will be linked to a live video
broadcast of speeches from London. The explorer Pen Hadow will also
be sending the summit a message from the Arctic where he's leading
an expedition measuring the thickness of the sea ice.
The event will give businesses in The Prince's May Day Network
the opportunity to report on the progress they have made since the
2008 May Day Summit and share examples of innovative and successful
low carbon solutions. Companies and organisations will have the
chance to join the Network and will be signposted to specialist
organisations and tools to support them on their low carbon
journeys.
Business in the Community is also collecting feedback from
delegates to inform and influence regional and national policy
Recent Business in the Community research revealed that FTSE
companies actively managing and measuring corporate responsibility
outperformed the FTSE 350 on total shareholder return by up to 7.7%
between 2002-2007. This is clear evidence that those businesses
taking action on climate change now will also be best placed to
succeed when the global economy recovers and moves towards becoming
ever more low-carbon. Additional benefits of taking action include
new income streams, improved recruitment and retention, and keeping
ahead of international competition.
The Carbon Trust predicts that taking action on climate change
could save UK businesses up to £1 million a day collectively. Not
only does resource efficiency deliver immediate benefits such as
cost savings, but developing a low carbon business can also help
retain and win new business, improve reputation and trust, and
boost employee morale.
Peaches Golding, Regional Director, Business in the Community
says; "The South West's appetite for developing innovative and
successful low carbon solutions is second-to-none. On 1 May
Jonathan Porritt will share his key climate change messages in
Bristol. We'll be launching the West of England Carbon Challenge,
signposting delegates to the science of climate change and
specialist organisations as well as celebrating the South West C+
Carbon Positive Award winners.
"Over 250 businesses in the South West have joined The Prince's
May Day Network, these companies will illustrate how through
sharing their successes, and their learnings, businesses can
accelerate their climate change journey and help the UK achieve a
prosperous and healthy low carbon economy."
Simon Hooton, Director of Strategy at the South West RDA, said:
"Climate Change is probably the biggest single issue that humanity
faces. Its impact will affect every aspect of our society, economy
and environment. As an economic development agency we are keen to
understand what effect this will have on the future economy of the
South West and how we can lead the region's transformation to a
low-carbon economy by helping ambitious businesses embrace the
opportunities of environmental technologies and services."
Ends
Notes for Editors
A call to action
1. Join the Prince's May Day Network by pledging to take action
on climate change.
Pledge to take one or more of 6 pledges to measure, report,
manage, and reduce carbon emissions, and extend activities to other
stakeholders.
www.maydaynetwork.com
2. Start your low-carbon journey today.
Business in the Community can support businesses to do this
through:
- The May Day Journey
- Practical case studies
- Sector initiatives
www.maydaynetwork.com/journey
Business in the Community
The Prince's May Day Network is convened by Business in the
Community, and helps businesses realise benefits from taking action
on climate change. It helps them through practical support, and by
profiling their low carbon activities. It is sponsored by
businesses that are taking a lead on climate change, and partners
with key business support organisations.
- Spokespeople available for interview are: Peaches Golding,
Regional Director, Business in the Community
- For further information please contact Pip Trentham,
Communications Manager, Business in the Community,
pip.trentham@bitc.org.uk , 07714411438
South West RDA (Regional Development Agency) leads the
development of a sustainable economy, investing to unlock the
region's business potential. It is helping companies respond to the
economic crisis and charts a course for recovery. The RDA is
developing or expanding initiatives which include: establishing a
Business Loan Fund; coordinating the response to large companies in
difficulty; preparing for economic recovery.
The West of England Carbon Challenge is part of Forum for the
Future's Sustainable Bristol City-Region Programme which aims to
help make the West of England the UK's leading example of
sustainable urban living.
Contact Details
Name Pip Trentham
Tel 07714411438
Email pip.trentham@bitc.org.uk
Third Party Issuer
Business in the Community