Green issues are rising up the business agenda – as the high turnout at Insider’s Green Crunch breakfast proved. About 90 people gathered at the Ramada Manchester Piccadilly hotel in November 2008 to find out why environmental issues should remain a top priority and how greening their businesses could save them money.
Chris Shearlock, environmental manager at The Co-operative Group, gave a lively and inspirational speech about the importance of climate change and how businesses could reduce their impact.
The Co-op has become a national pioneer of environmental issues and Shearlock explained: “We want the environment to be a central part of our brand. We are not letting up on the green agenda.”
He urged the audience to address climate change and take action, saying: “CO2 levels are at a dangerous level, and accelerating despite the knowledge we have about it.”
He outlined some of the measures the company has taken to become more sustainable. It has removed the worst environmental offenders from its product range. For example, customers can now only buy A-rated white goods in their stores, and the retailer's entire hot beverage range is completely Fairtrade.
The company is also leading the way in reducing packaging and is only one of two retailers to cut packaging on its own-label products this year. Simple measures included removing the plastic wrap from cucumbers and taking the cardboard sleeves off ready meals.
The group takes green issues seriously and plays an important role in lobbying the government. Shearlock added: “Our scientific understanding of climate change is much better and shows this is a matter of urgency. Regulatory measures are much stronger and the rewards greater.”
Shearlock was joined by: Tony Dean, regional director of the Environment Agency; Ian Sibbick, head of energy, land and water at Envirolink Northwest; and David Price, director of Circuit UK.
The message from the panel was clear, as Dean summarised: “The environment needs to be connected to everything we do and connected to making money – not a separate after-thought.”
The panel told the audience about simple measures that could be adopted to make their offices more environmentally friendly, green tax breaks and rising energy prices. Sibbick said: “Energy prices will double, perhaps even triple, as the sources of our energy supply change over coming years.”
Insider also launched its Green Supply Guide at the event. The guide offers advice on making companies more eco-friendly as well as greening the supply chain.
Date: Fri 28th November, 2008
Venue: The Ramada Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, Portland Street, M1 4PH
Number of Guests Attended: 90