World-leading sustainability expert Gunter Pauli will be one of the speakers at Norfolk and Suffolk Chambers’ Sustainability 2012 Conference on 10 May at the John Innes Centre, Norwich.
Gunter Pauli is an entrepreneur, lecturer, author and commentator on culture, science, politics, sustainability and the environment. His presentation at the event is entitled ‘Redefining competitiveness by changing the rules of the game’.
Gunter Pauli said: “I am delighted to be speaking at Sustainability 2012, because it’s 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.
“The aim of The ‘Blue Economy’ is to stimulate entrepreneurs to bring innovations to the market that has been inspired by the way ecosystems work; moving from the core business competencies to the search for a bundle of activities where the best is cheap, social capital is built and everyone aims to meet the basic needs of everyone else.”
Gunter Pauli also writes children’s fables. To date, he has written 36 which have been translated into more than 100 different languages. They are special because of the unique way they stimulate children to think and ask the kind of questions parents usually do not know how to answer.
Gunter says: “These are exactly the kind of questions that inspire children to be innovative and, for sure, we need more innovators as there is little doubt that we are creating a world where our children will have to find ways to solve the problems our generation has created, and, sadly, is still creating.”
The Government of China has recognised this, and has recently approved Gunter’s fables as the staple of all schools across China. So pleased are they with his fables that they have asked Gunter to write one fable for every day of the year. In true Gunter spirit, as if taking on that challenge is not enough, has started talks with TATA, India’s largest integrated power utility, as well.
Caroline Williams, CEO of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, commented: “We are delighted to that Gunter Pauli has agreed to speak at the Sustainability 2012 conference. He is a very distinguished spokesman on the key issues which we need to address at the conference and we know that he will raise some thought-provoking issues. Securing Gunter, plus a host of other industry-leading speakers, shows how important this event has become for tackling sustainability issues.”
There will also be other expert speakers at Sustainability 2012, including George Padelopoulos, Sustainability Manager, Ethical Trade, B&Q; Tom McGarry, from EDF Energy: and Mark Pendlington, from Anglian Water.
Now in its third year, the Sustainability 2012 conference will focus on Low Carbon Technologies and Built Environment Innovation. The aim of the event is to highlight the clear distinction between how small and large companies need to react and plan for a range of new initiative.
Delegates will be offered a global insight into the need for sustainable developments, the UK-based regional perspectives, as well as county-based opportunities. The conference will also offer a wide choice of learning and interactive workshops and include an exhibition to showcase new products and innovations.
Caroline Williams added: “This conference is a must-attend for regional businesses of all sizes because it clearly sets out the opportunities that are available in the short and long term and the benefits of getting involved.”
For more information, to book a place on the conference, or to book a stand, go to www.sustainability2012.com or call 01603 625977.
