Exciting Times Ahead for the Sustainable Business Roadshow
Gosport recently had the distinguished honour of being the first town in Hampshire to host the Sustainable Business Roadshow. Organised by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Sustainable Business Partnership working with Impact Gosport, in conjunction with the Vision4Lee Market Town Initiative Steering Group and hosted by major local business QinetiQ, the free half-day event brought the message of sustainability to a new business audience within the local area. With issues such as climate change fast rising up the agenda with the recent release of the Stern Report, businesses are realising that this is no longer a sideline issue, and that failure to act is not an option if they are to remain viable in the longer term.
Some thirty organisations attended to hear about the importance of economic, environmental and social sustainability in their business practices, the significance that they can have to their profitability both now and in the future, and the practical ways in which they could set about taking action on them, from immediate ‘quick wins’ such as implementing a switch-off policy for lights and computers and minimising waste, to more ambitious programmes such as developing an Environmental Management System.
The Roadshow comprised presentations and workshops sessions, a site tour, networking and trade fair, where local suppliers and support organisations working in the field of sustainability were able to promote their services. Feedback from the day was extremely positive, and QinetiQ have already expressed an interest in the event returning next year to engage with an even wider audience.
The 2007 programme for the Sustainable Business Roadshow is currently being finalised, with events already planned for Hayling Island, Basingstoke, Farnborough and the Isle of Wight. Any other towns or business groups interested in the Roadshow visiting their area are encouraged to contact Stephen Duncan, Sustainable Business Partnership Manager, on 01962 845243