The Aldersgate Group (AG) launched a new report, "Greening the Economy: a strategy for growth, jobs and success", at a reception hosted by RBS with Lord Henley and Sir Roger Bone, President of Boeing UK, as the keynote speakers. The debate was chaired by Damian Carrington of the Guardian/Observer (photo). The report finds that governments around the world are implementing plans to attract global investment in environmental technologies. The UK is losing momentum in this green economy race and urgent action is required.

To read the event summary for this event, click here. To see a video with highlights from all the speeches, click here.

On Wednesday 27th April Andrew Raingold, Executive Director of the Aldersgate Group, gave evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee in response to their latest inquiry: Budget 2011 and green taxes.

Andrew argued that the Plan for Growth focuses too narrowly on low carbon energy generation and should address the opportunities in the green economy more widely, including the introduction of a greening element to the enterprise zones and sectoral growth reviews. He welcomed the Coalition Government's agreement to increase the proportion of green taxes, and voiced support for the Liberal Democrats' proposal for a 10% target by 2015.

To view the evidence session, click here.

A big welcome to our new members in 2011: InterfaceFLOR, News International, Philips, RWE Npower, Tyco FS & BP, BioRegional, Energy Saving Trust, Woodland Trust and individual members, Jonathon Porritt CBE and Peter Aldous MP.

For membership enquiries, contact Victoria on vfwilliams@aldersgategroup.org.uk.

Our new brochure is now available and sets out the AG's objectives, mission and workstreams, alongside quotes from key stakeholders. To download a pdf of the brochure, click here.

To request a hard copy, contact Victoria on vfwilliams@aldersgategroup.org.uk.

On Budget Day the AG held an evening reception to debate the Chancellor's announcements at the offices of Herbert Smith, sponsored by RenewableUK.

The animated debate, chaired by Joan Walley MP, covered issues including the Green Investment Bank (GIB), carbon floor price and planning regulations. Responding to the announcements on the GIB, Andrew Raingold, Executive Director of the AG, said: "Public banks are driving the economic recovery around the world. This is leading to growth in jobs and not deficits. We welcome the additional finance for the Green Investment Bank but it must have the power to borrow from day one."

To download the event summary click here. To view the video highlights from this event, click here.

As part of the BASE London show, the AG held a seminar on skills for the transition to a low carbon economy. The panel included speakers from Jaguar Land Rover, Microsoft and RWE Npower Renewables, alongside John Edmonds, former Chair of the TUC. Speakers argued that the current government skills strategy is not sufficient to provide the skills the UK will need to meet its climate change targets and contend with the challenges of international competition in green sectors. The government perspective was represented by Jonathan Mackey, Assistant Director at BIS.

To read a summary of the discussions at this event, click here. To view the video highlights, click here.

The Aldersgate Group supports Catherine McKinnell's "Small Change Big Difference" campaign, which seeks to boost the number of apprenticeships. For more information, click here.

In January, the AG hosted its annual parliamentary reception on international climate change. Representatives from over thirty embassies and high commissions joined business leaders to hear Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, describe his views on the outcome of the negotiations.

To view the video highlights click here. To read the event summary, click here.

Please do not RSVP at this stage:

13th June, Green Investment Bank Summit (6.30pm - 8.30pm, Bank of America Merrill Lynch)

22nd June, the AG Summer Reception: "Dealing with deficits: how can the plan for growth reduce our environmental debt and boost public finances?" (7pm - 9pm, House of Commons)

3rd November, the AG Autumn Reception, 7pm - 9pm, House of Commons

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Victoria on vfwilliams@aldersgategroup.org.uk.

The AG Secretariat has expanded with the arrival of Corinna Luther, as Events Assistant. Corinna works two days a week, providing support for AG events. She previous worked as Campaign Officer for London 21 and in market research for Friends of the Earth. Her remaining three days a week are spent at Talk Action, where she is Training Coordinator.

9th May, 6.15pm - 8.15pm at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch: The most common characteristic of companies that incorporate sustainability into core strategy, is a main board appointment whose focus is sustainability, typically called a Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO). This usually follows the identification, by the board of a strategic opportunity in sustainability - but one size does not fit all.

For more information and to apply for a place, click here.

The Guardian's series of thought-provoking sustainability events are free for sustainability professionals, allowing them to engage in the latest thinking on driving business sustainability and to participate in cross-sector problem solving.

The topic for the evening of 15th June is: "How can business catalyse change, not just internally but across entire industries?" A panel of experts will explore how innovation in sustainability can be rapidly accelerated by proactive cross-industry partnerships.

For more information and to book a place, visit the GSBQ site: guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/quarterly-june-2011.