Aldersgate Group

The Aldersgate Group held a debate and drinks reception that discussed sustainability of the built environment and launched a new report.

This sector represents one of the most cost-effective and significant opportunities for the UK to achieve its carbon reduction imperatives and improve business competitiveness, all the while delivering new jobs and growth. How can government and industry unlock these opportunities during the current economic crisis?

This event is supported by Drivers Jonas Deloitte.

An event summary and video will be uploaded shortly.

This policy debate and keynote speech by Rt Hon Caroline Flint MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, was part of a series of events that the Aldersgate Group is holding on the green economy, which has included keynote speeches by Chris Huhne, Caroline Spelman and Greg Barker.

An event report and photos of this event will be loaded shortly.

This event was sponsored by Deloitte.

Rt Hon Chris Huhne spoke at this parliamentary reception which was hosted by Tim Yeo MP. Alongside speakers from Philips and WWF, he discussed the outcome of the international climate change negotiations at Durban and preparations for the RIO+20 Summit on Sustainable Development.

This event was supported by WWF.

The Aldersgate Group held a panel debate with Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for the Environment, to discuss "Green policy in the midst of the debt crisis. What is the way forward for Europe?"

The Aldersgate Group joined forces with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation for this debate and drinks reception, discussing the skils required to build a new economy. Ellen MacArthur joined John Edmonds, former Chair of the TUC who leads the AG workstream on skills, to debate the issues with leading businesses.

The event was supported by BT.

This reception launched the Aldersgate Group's (AG) report on biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES), which seeks to understand how firms and economies can better understand and manage their reliance and impact on BES. The drinks reception marked the end of the 'Global Business of Biodiversity' (GBOB) Symposium.

To download a copy of the report, click here.

The Aldersgate Group jointly hosted this private parliamentary event with with TransformUK, gathering business leaders and MPs to discuss the priorities for legislation which will establish the Green Investment Bank (GIB).

A key recommendation was that the GIB must have the ability to borrow funds enshrined in legislation and the EU state aid application. The event saw the launch of ClientEarth’s report, “Towards the Green Investment Bank Act”, which contains proposed legislative drafting of the key provisions for the legislation establishing the GIB.

To read the report, click here.

An expert panel discussed the feasibility of streamlining carbon regulations and prices. Speakers included representatives from government and business.

This event was supported by Taylor Wessing.

Rt Hon Caroline Spelman, Secretary of State for Defra joined speakers from business and academia at an Aldersgate Group parliamentary reception on 3rd November. She called on members of the audience to help communicate the message that green and growth are possible in this economic climate. "Not just at home, but abroad, we can make that green growth absolutely at the core of our economic recovery."

This event was kindly supported by Willmott Dixon. Read their latest sustainability report here.

Minister of State for Climate Change, Greg Barker, welcomed the Aldersgate Group's report that discussed "Dealing with Deficits: can we reduce our environmental debt and boost public finances?" He said "The Government is not anti-regulation per se" and recognised that regulation can create positive outcomes. This event was supported by WSP Energy & Environment.