BUSINESSES from the logistics, food and drink and footwear industries are to join policy makers, academics and local government officials at a conference to discuss the sustainability challenges facing Northamptonshire.
The Sustainability Summit being hosted by the University of Northampton aims to identify and highlight shared sustainability challenges and devise a long-term plan of action to address these.
The summit on May 15-16 will also unveil the Northampton Sustainability Accord, a commitment led by the University of Northampton to work with each of the organisations attending the event to practically target those challenges through research, enterprise and knowledge exchange.
Amin Hosseinian Far, Professor of Systems Thinking at the university, said: “The Northampton Sustainability Accord will not simply be a piece of paper which sits in a cupboard and collects dust throughout the next year.It will be a practical roadmap for local businesses, industries and stakeholders to identify their responsibilities in contributing towards improving sustainability within Northamptonshire and beyond.”
Progress will be assessed and discussed at the next summit in 2024, he added.
More than 40 expert speakers have already registered their attendance at this year’s summit, including from Weetabix, SATRA, Sustainable Leather Foundation, IEMA, British Footwear Association, Cranfield University, Fresh Produce Consortium, Beanstalk Global and both West and North Northamptonshire Councils.
Full details, including how to book, are at www.northampton.ac.uk/events/uon-sustainability-summit-2023/
Dr Ebenezer Laryea, Associate Professor in International Sustainable Development Law and chair of the summit’s planning committee, said: “Northampton’s town centre is currently going through a considerable period of renovation, which means it is the perfect time to identify our shared sustainability challenges and begin working on the solutions we could develop together to address these.
“It is encouraging to already see so many commercial partners and local industry professionals planning to attend the Summit and be part of the solution. For the sake of our future generations, we must work collaboratively today to ensure their tomorrow.”
