The Prince of Wales and the Prime Minister call on Northwest businesses to tackle climate change

On 1 May 2008, 120 senior business leaders from across the North West will come together at New Century House in Manchester to discuss measures taken to reduce carbon over the past 12 months, and commit to further action at HRH The Prince of Wales’s May Day Business Summit on Climate Change. The Prince of Wales and Prime Minister will address over 1550 business leaders at similar events across the UK via satellite link from a hub event in central London. Those not attending are encouraged to tune in to a live webcast of the event www.maydaynetwork.com.

Climate change, like the ‘May Day’ distress signal, requires urgent action. The May Day Network has a membership of 800 organisations and growing. It is managed by Business in the Community, a charity that mobilises business for good. Business in the Community aims to engage 10,000 businesses through the May Day Network by 2012.

The Summit will inspire even more business leaders to take steps towards a low carbon economy, by asking them to make pledges that involve action within their own companies and by engaging their employees, suppliers and customers. All companies present will be challenged:
• To measure their direct carbon footprint if they haven’t already done so.
• To reduce their carbon output as this is the single most important action they can take.

In Manchester the regional summit, sponsored by the Northwest Regional Development Agency and hosted by the Co-operative Group will be chaired by Michael Taylor, editor of the North West Business Insider.

“An increasing number of business leaders in the Northwest are recognising the impact that climate change could have on their operations and are making it an issue that is central to their decision-making processes. Once again the NWDA is delighted to support this successful national event and I am delighted by the strong regional response. Together with key decision makers and partner organisations, we remain committed to leading the region towards demonstrating real progress in sustainable consumption and production.” said Bryan Gray, Chair of the NWDA.

Following the live link to the hub event, the delegates in Manchester will hear from Polar explorer Pen Hadow in advance of his 2009 ground-breaking expedition to the Arctic to measure the Polar ice caps. This will be followed by the launch of a new publication: “Climate Change – Wealth of Opportunities”. The publication, sponsored by United Utilities, includes case studies from North West businesses of all sizes on their own company’s climate change journey.

Companies attending the May Day Summit will be offered ongoing support by Business in the Community and partner organisations. Information on progress against pledges, as well as case studies, sources of advice and other information will be available via the website www.maydaynetwork.com

Technology to link the 13 events and the webcast is being provided by BT and Sky. The Summit is also sponsored nationally by Alliance Boots, The Carbon Trust, DLA Piper, Lloyds TSB and United Utilities. Regional events are being supported by England’s Regional Development Agencies, The Welsh Assembly and The Scottish Government alongside a number of Business in the Community member companies.

Stephen Howard, Chief Executive of Business in the Community said: “The combined leadership of UK businesses will be an essential component of any efforts to tackle the global crisis of climate change. This is not only because of the need for businesses to cut their own emissions, but also because they have enormous influence on the behaviour of the UK public, and potentially an unmatched reach across the world.”

Dr Rajenda Pachauri, Chairman, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said: “I believe that business and industry worldwide is at a crossroads. Climate change must be addressed with a greater sense of urgency, and we must all work together. The May Day Network is a great way for companies and organisations to share ideas and challenge and support each other.”

For more information on HRH The Prince of Wales’s May Day Business Summit on Climate Change, and to register to watch live online visit www.maydaynetwork.com

Ends

Notes to Editors

Media enquiries to:

Amanda James, Regional Communications Manager at Business in the Community
0161 233 7770 / 07793 444181 amanda.james@bitc.org.uk

• Regional Case studies are available please contact Gemma McNeilis on 0161 233 7750
• If you wish to attend on 1 May please contact Amanda James
• On 1 May at the Manchester event the following will be available for interview:
- Chris Matthews, Carbon Manager, United Utilities
- A representative from the Cooperative Group
- Bryan Gray, Chair and Dan Griffiths, Climate Change Manager from the NWDA
- Pen Hadow, Polar Explorer
Interview time is limited so please contact Amanda James to arrange.
• For more information on HRH The Prince of Wales’s May Day Business Summit on Climate change, and to register to watch live online visit www.maydaynetwork.com

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