Clear About Carbon
Supporting Cornwall's Transition to a Low Carbon Economy

Free green business event at the Eden Project

Carbon Matters logo and date

This event has now finished. Listen to the podcast to find out what happened on the day.

On the TV, radio and in the newspapers, academics, politicians, journalists, civil servants, big business – everyone’s talking about carbon reduction and wondering how its going to impact on them.

From investing in the low-carbon economy to measuring your carbon footprint, from going carbon neutral to becoming carbon literate, it’s real and it’s here now.Carbon reduction policies are going to affect the way you run your business in Cornwall.

Cabinet ministers have agreed a far-reaching, legally binding 'green deal; that will commit the UK to two decades of drastic cuts in carbon emissions. There will be sweeping changes to the way that businesses operate, deal with customers and trade with each other. How will Cornish companies adapt?

Who the conference is for:

This free, half-day event for Cornwall’s business community takes the issues as they are today, and aims to address what they mean to local firms.

If you're from a small- or medium-sized enterprise within Cornwall, come and join this business-focused conference, providing relevant local examples and guidance to help equip you for the transition towards a low-carbon economy.

What you'll get out of the conference:

The packed agenda, featuring high-profile speakers, will address issues such as:

  • How can businesses in Cornwall react and adapt to changes in environmental regulation?
  • What are the opportunities for local businesses as the public sector introduces low-carbon procurement policies for its massive spend?
  • How does understanding carbon support your bottom line?
  • What is a carbon footprint? What does it include? How do you measure and calculate it?
  • How do you begin to reduce your carbon footprint? What have other organisations done?
  • What does 'carbon neutral' mean, and how can your business aim for this?
  • What are the challenges and opportunities, for local businesses, of sustainable supply chains?

Confirmed speaker slots

  • Shaun McCarthy, Commission for a Sustainable London 2012
    Shaun is a leading advocate of sustainable business. As Chair of the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012 and with over 20 years’ senior management experience with large companies, including Shell and BAA, he has a wealth of knowledge to share on carbon management, sustainable construction and procurement.
  • Mike Berners-Lee, Small World Consulting
    Mike is the author of the fascinating book How Bad Are Bananas? – The carbon footprint of everything, described by Bill Bryson as ‘Terrific! I can’t remember the last time I read a book that was more fascinating and useful and enjoyable all at the same time.’ Mike is also founding director of Small World Consulting, an associate company of Lancaster University that specialises in organisational responses to climate change and in measuring the carbon footprints of products and services.
  • Fernando Correia, University of Exeter’s Business School
    Fernando is Research Fellow at the Business School, whose mission is to provide outstanding and innovative business education, research and engagement with society. As part of the Clear About Carbon programme, run in partnership with organisations such as the Eden Project, Fernando delivers leadership training with a focus on low-carbon operations and sustainable supply chains.
  • Ross Harling, Naturepaint
    Ross is Founder of the first SME in the West Country to get a prestigious Carbon Reduction Certificate from the Carbon Trust. The company is a prime example of a Cornish business that has seized the opportunities offered by the low-carbon economy. Naturepaint, which has worked with the Eden Project on a bespoke range of paints, has won an Observer Ethical ‘Big Idea’ Award.
  • David Wathey, Head of Sustainable Procurement, Department of Health
    David will talk about his role at the head of the Sustainable Procurement unit in the Department of Health, one of the biggest purchasers in the country, and one whose buying policies has a real impact on local businesses.
  • Gaynor Coley, Managing Director, Eden Project
    Under Gay’s commercial leadership, Eden has attracted over 13 million visitors and has been a major economic engine in Cornwall. She is currently leading the strategy to extend Eden’s influential environmental brand and programmes across the world.
  • Paul Holmes, Sustainable Business Development Manager, Eden Project
    Part of the Clear About Carbon team, Paul looks after Eden's relationships with local suppliers, working to tackle resource efficiency and sustainability issues, as well as seeking opportunities to develop innovative products and secure new routes to market.
  • Graham Seabrook, Head of Carbon Footprinting & Sustainability Services, BT
    Graham advises BT’s customers about the role that telecoms and ICT has to play in improving their sustainability rating and reducing their carbon footprint. He was responsible for carbon footprinting the communications services that BT is delivering for the London 2012 Games.
  • Peter Marsh, Head of Property Services, Cornwall Council
    Peter is committed to transforming the Council's significant estate and ensuring that sustainability is at the forefront of everything it does. He's currently working to reduce space use by the Council as well as implementing renewable and low-carbon projects.
  • Justin Olosunde, Cornwall College Business
    Justin will offer an overview of the types of carbon management training and support available to Cornish businesses.
  • Bob Meier, Energy & Sustainability Director, Francis Clark Accountancy
    Bob brings with him 10 years of experience as an accountant in London to his current role helping South West clients convert concept to installation in renewable energy projects.
  • Richard Wadman, Director, Winter Rule Accountancy
    Richard has led knowledge-based initiatives in the low-carbon sector; disseminating information on sources of funding and support through seminars, which have looked to reinforce the link between bottom line performance and sustainable business practices.
  • Tom Stevens, Green Foundation Project Manager, Eden Project
    As the manager of Eden Project's Green Foundation, Tom combines his extensive environmental management background with the business world where his passion now lies in developing resilient and positive change by delivering this programme.
  • Mandy Milano, Facilitator
    Mandy not only brings her professional facilitation skills to this conference, but the experience of running her own small business within the county.

Where and when is the conference?

9am – 1pm, Tuesday 11 October 2011 at the Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, PL24 2SG.

If you have any queries, please contact Paul Holmes: 01726 818811; pholmes@edenproject.com

Conference video

Carbon footprint expert Mike Berners-Lee talking at Carbon Matters conference

Get a taste of our Carbon Matters conference, an event for Cornish businesses in October 2011.

Watch the video

Free food and farming event

Dramatic sky over farm in Cornwall

An event for the South West’s food and farming sector, focussing on low-carbon opportunities.

See the programme

The credit crunch is about borrowing from our children; the climate crunch is about stealing from them.

David Pencheon, Director, NHS Sustainable Development Unit

Contact us

Clear About Carbon
Foundation Building
Bodelva
Cornwall
PL24 2SG
UK
+44 (0) 1726 818811

  1. About us

    1. What we do
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  3. Tools and resources

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