The region’s businesses joined academics and industry specialists to tackle barriers in achieving Net Zero at the East Midlands Sustainability Summit on 12th September.
Workshops, seminars and presentations unpicked hurdles faced by firms in their journey to become more sustainable at the event hosted by East Midlands Chamber, in partnership with the University of Derby, where the summit was held.
East Midlands Chamber President Stuart Dawkins opened the summit. He said afterwards: “To see so many businesses, of different types and sizes gathered at this summit was a welcome sight and really underlines just how seriously the East Midlands is taking its approach to sustainability. I get the feeling no one is under any pretence about the obstacles that can make mitigating against Climate Change daunting. How does a business prepare? Are they doing it the right way?
“Today’s summit shared best practice, saw research the Chamber has carried out with the University of Derby and workshops to help break down difficulties and find solutions. The East Midlands must, as I reiterated today, think hard about what it leaves for Generation Next-But-One – what we do now directly impacts the life they inherit. Businesses in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire really can be on the right side of history and get this right, but how we all get to that destination, when each business is structured differently, is a conversation that must never stop.”
East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “Getting East Midlands businesses together to overcome the challenges around becoming more sustainable is an important step toward achieving Net Zero, but we should remember that the summit was also an excellent opportunity to focus on the economic growth potential for businesses that get the strategy right.
“Keeping the momentum of the sustainability journey front and centre of all business operation is essential, as putting it on the back burner to just worry about another day isn’t an option.
“We heard from some fantastic speakers today and I extend my thanks to all of them – to our summit sponsors Auditel, Geo Green Power and our partner for this summit, the University of Derby.”
Research carried out by the Chamber and the University of Derby into Green Growth Trends – achieving economic growth without negatively impacting the environment – was shared by the university’s Associate Professor of Strategy and Sustainability Dr Polina Baralova. Findings included three quarters of large businesses reporting that they pursue Green Growth, while half of small businesses did.
Following the presentation, Dr Polina Baralova said: “My advice to businesses would be to think a little bit about how to grow sustainably, which we refer to as Green Growth. So, if you have a number of products and services that you trade on the market and they are having green credentials – as in they allow the general public, your customers or suppliers to reduce their carbon footprint and support an environmentally friendly agenda.
“At the same time, you also need to start thinking about your decarbonization initiatives and reducing carbon so those two elements go hand to hand. You can’t really have one without another.”
Auditel Carbon, Cost and Procurement Consultant Julie Adams explored the importance of ‘carbon maturity’ and how to approach Scope 3 emissions. Following the summit, Julie said: “Coming together like this at the summit has been invaluable, and the sessions that we’ve had have all built upon each other with the message that there is an imperative and an urgency to address sustainability that we all have to pull together to head.
“It’s not about having a carbon footprint or reduction plan. It’s how we build this into our lives personally and professionally into a company.”
Spenbeck Co-owner, Sustainability and Building Health Consultant Becky Valentine gave a presentation on overcoming barriers to climate engagement. She said afterwards: “This summit has been very much around ‘you’ve started your net zero journey, now how do we help you with the next steps?’ I think these questions are vital, bringing companies together with academics helps us on the next stage of all of our journeys. I think it it’s been a really vital day.”
Samworth Brothers Responsible Business Director Andy Wright, on the importance of having the right approach to sustainability, said: “Engaging is the key. People have to understand what it is they’re trying to deliver and make it available in a language that is understandable. So, if you’re dealing with procurement colleagues, it’s probably a different conversation than if you’re dealing with new product development colleagues or operational colleagues. There needs to be a message for everybody.”
Headline findings from Green Growth Trends in the East Midlands 2024 research
- Three quarters of large businesses (75%) report they pursue Green Growth
- Half of small businesses (50%) are pursuing Green Growth, while 39% of micro and 53% of medium-sized companies adopt the strategy
- More than 45% of East Midlands businesses have invested in decarbonisation initiatives over the past 12 months, an increase of 6% on 2023
- Seven out of ten large companies invest in decarbonisation
- One in three businesses have never engaged in nature-based solutions over the last 12 months
