02.05.07
Climate revolution starts at the Eden Project

The Eden Project hosted a major conference on May 2 to examine the impact climate change will have on companies in Cornwall. Eden actively encouraged businesses to attend this groundbreaking event entitled 'Climate Revolution'.

Eden's Foundation Director Dr Tony Kendle was the keynote speaker and examined how policies are changing and how businesses will have to respond to keep up with the demands from consumers as they become increasingly aware of green issues.

Also speaking was the internationally renowned climatologist Dr Stephan Harrison, Senior Research Associate, Oxford University Centre for the Environment, and Senior Lecturer in Geography at the University of Exeter at the Combined Universities in Cornwall. He has over 20 years experience in climate change research, spanning four continents. Dr Harrison is at the cutting edge of the climate debate and is well respected for his work on Climate Change Risk Management. He provides specialist consultancy to major organisations such as Lloyds of London, Zurich Insurance and the CBI.

Joining the speakers was Edward Hanrahan, Director of Climate Care, one of the country's leading carbon offsetting companies. With many high street names declaring their intentions to become carbon neutral within a few years, Mr Hanrahan asked what this means and how local businesses should prepare for the changes.

Other speakers at the event included Tim Smit, Chief Executive of the Eden Project, Michael Dunn, South West Regional Manager of BT, Chris Cain, Newquay Airport Project Director, Ian Smith, Managing Director of Community Energy Plus, Justin Olosunde, Business Mentor, Envision, along with some local companies demonstrating the business benefits and opportunities of tackling waste and resource issues.

Other areas of discussion included looking at reliable options for low carbon energy and fuels and the opportunities for sustainable development and construction.

Paul Holmes, Eden Project Agency Liaison Officer, said: "This event focused specifically on the economic, political and consumer impacts of climate change and how these will affect the way businesses operate.

"It was a fantastic opportunity for local firms to hear these issues being addressed and to start thinking and preparing for the future.

"Individuals, businesses and governments are re-thinking how we get energy, how we get around and how we survive. This is the most radical change in the metabolism of our society since the Industrial Revolution, which is why Eden is calling it Climate Revolution."

The conference aimed to make these subjects real and relevant to Cornish companies following the national HRH Prince of Wales Business Summit on Climate Change, held at The Eden Project on the previous day, May 1.

For further information contact David Rowe, Head of Press and PR on 01726 811901/07813 041923 or email drowe@edenproject.com.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in Eden Project through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). The University of Exeter is a partner of the CUC.

Editor's notes:

Eden Project Limited is owned by the Eden Trust, which is a fully registered UK Charity (No. 1093070).

The event is being supported by Cornwall Enterprise, Business Link, Combined Universities of Cornwall and South West Regional Development Agency.

Eden is home to the two biggest greenhouses in the world - the Rainforest Biome and Mediterranean Biome.

Around 1.2 million visitors come to Eden per year and it has generated £700 million for the local economy.

So far capital funding of £135 million to develop Eden has been raised from a combination of £58 million from the Millennium Commission Lottery Fund, £50 million in regional grants from the South West Regional Development Agency and Objective One European Regional Development Fund, and £27 million in the form of loans, lease finance and Eden's own revenue generation.

Immediate information may be obtained from our website: www.edenproject.com.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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