Swindon & Wiltshire News
Festival of Sustainable Business returns to Bristol next month
The Festival of Sustainable Business is returning to Bristol next month, with an expanded programme, a new home, and new sponsors.
The festival will be held at Bristol Beacon on June 9 and 10, providing a platform for the South West region to explore solutions to sustainability challenges, learning from providers and hearing the experiences of net zero leaders.
A free-to-attend exhibition of over 50 sustainability solutions will be available, while a ticketed conference incorporates keynotes, panel discussions, seminars, interactive workshops, and networking.
On Monday, June 9 keynote speakers will share the latest climate science, policies, regulations and trends in the Opening Ceremony, hosted by Benita Matofska, global sustainability campaigner and change maker.
Panel sessions, workshops and product demonstrations will then cover key topics such as access to funding, innovations and technologies reshaping industries, retrofit, the future of energy and the power of storytelling.
On Tuesday, June 10 attendees will have the chance to learn directly from businesses who’ll be sharing their experiences of the challenges, opportunities and rewards of sustainable transformation.
The Construction Zone, presented by Retrofit West, and the Business Support Zone, supported by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, will provide attendees with hands-on experiences with the latest building technologies and regional sustainability initiatives.
Now in its sixth year, the move to Bristol Beacon allows the festival to welcome more attendees and host action-orientated sessions with expert speakers from the region and beyond, including the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), Pieminister, Bottle Yard Studios, Retrofit West, UK Green Building Council, Route Zero, Kelpi and Ecotricity.
Sponsors include the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, Retrofit West, and green energy innovator Ecotricity.
Helen Godwin, the new Mayor of the West of England and leader of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, said: “The West of England should be the natural home of new green jobs.
“We already have so many of the component parts, but as the new Mayor, I will need to connect up the brilliant work that’s already happening.
“Working with the government, I will create a Regional Green Skills Academy to provide adults and young people with the skills and pathway to the well-paid jobs of the present and the future.
“As well as clean energy, sustainable business needs to be powered by major change for our transport system. Congestion is slowing growth and holds up innovation.
“We need to start a new chapter when it comes to getting around the West of England, with more new train stations and a reliable and consistent bus network.”
Alan Bailey, managing director of festival organiser Future Leap, said: “The Festival of Sustainable Business represents our continued commitment to position the South West as a leader in sustainability, not just in the region, but across the whole country.
“This year, we’re really looking to expand the possibilities of the Festival with a programme that covers energy, housing, built environment, consultancy, sustainable finance and much more, opening the floor to experts and industry leaders to present and discuss areas shaping our present and future.”
Pictured: The teams from Future Leap and the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority
