Suffolk/ Norfolk: Gunter Pauli to speak at chambers’ Sustainability 2012 conference

The Sustainability 2012 event is being jointly organised by the Suffolk and Norfolk chambers of commerce and will take place at the John Innes Centre in Norwich on Thursday, May 10.

Mr Pauli will be speaking from his perspective as an entrepreneur, lecturer, author and commentator on culture, science, politics, sustainability and the environment.

“We are delighted that someone like Gunter, who is so well known and respected on the global stage, is coming to our region.” said John Dugmore, chief executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.

“His presentation will be on entitled ‘Redefining competitiveness by changing the rules of the game’ and I know from speaking to businesses over the last month how much they value what he has to say. It will be a real shot in the arm at a challenging economic time for us all.”

Mr Pauli said: “I am delighted to be speaking at Sustainability 2012. It is established as the largest show of its kind in East Anglia and therefore plays a vital role in keeping the region up to date with sustainability issues.

“I hope my presentation will get delegates thinking. The main challenge of the ‘Green Economy’ is that it requires companies to invest more and consumers to pay more.

“This is justified when the world economy is expanding and unemployment is decreasing, but is a more difficult strategy when demand drops, consumer confidence dwindles and people know their jobs are in jeopardy.”

Other speakers at Sustainability 2012 next months will include Tom McGarry from energy group EDF, which is planning a new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK at locations including Sizewell, and Mark Pendlington of Anglian Water, who also chairs the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership’s Green Economy Pathfinder project.

For more information on Sustainability 2012, or to book a place at the conference or trade stand space at the venue, visit www.sustainability2012.com or call 01603 625977.