More than 130 senior decision makers from companies and organisations across Hampshire gathered for a conference and exhibition on sustainability and clean growth.
Unlocking Hampshire’s Green Potential 2024 (UHGP 2024) brought representatives from the business community, the third sector and local government to Basingstoke’s Apollo Hotel for a day devoted to how to build greener practices into everyday operations.
Co-ordinated by Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and the business and community organisation Destination Basingstoke, the free-to-attend showcase is in its second year as one of the south’s biggest business-to-business events dedicated to green growth.
A key theme this year was practical action that can be taken to improve green skills in the workplace as firms look to cut their carbon footprints.
In his welcome address, Ross McNally, Hampshire Chamber’s Chief Executive and Executive Chairman, said: “This is all about helping those interested in achieving green solutions.
“We’re bringing people together so they can learn from each other and meet experts to discuss skills issues, strategies, accreditation, green finance and other kinds of support.
“It is so powerful to have all the relevant stakeholders in the same room at the same time to give advice and share experiences, particularly at this time of growth for the economy.
“The event is ideal whether you are a small business looking to work with fellow businesses to build strategies or you want to find the specific skills or new talent you need for your green growth.”
UHGP 2024 began with a presentation by Dr. Wendy Buckley, Director and Co-founder of Carbon Footprint Ltd and Chair of the North Hampshire Sustainability Business Network.
She unveiled a new free-to-use ‘products and materials’ database that sits alongside the wider CaDI (Carbon Database Initiative) platform.
Wendy said: “A central tenet of CaDI is that carbon data should never be hidden behind a paywall. In line with this principle, CaDI provides global company and international electricity emission factors, all available for free.
“These tools are essential for organisations aiming to measure, disclose and manage their carbon footprint accurately, fostering a more sustainable future and supporting net zero goals.”
Joint headline sponsors of UHGP 2024 were environmental solutions provider Suez and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.
Basingstoke-headquartered TrustMark, the government-endorsed quality scheme for trades which has a focus on energy efficiency and sustainability, was sponsor of the speaker sessions.
Presenters included Councillor Paul Harvey, Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, and George Pearce, Regional Head of Sales at Suez.
A skills panel hosted by Ross McNally featured insight from Steve Gilder, Head of Construction at Basingstoke College of Technology, Jamie Mackay, Strategic Skills Lead at Hampshire County Council, Jack Barber, Partnership and Community Engagement Manager at Suez, and James Powell, Lead Auditor of TrustMark.
The panel addressed questions around the challenges involved in re-skilling mid-career and how best to cultivate enthusiasm among young people for learning green skills.
Other discussion points included the impact on construction skills training of the increasing use of low-carbon building materials.
Alongside the conference was a ‘green expo’ featuring 24 exhibitors who either offer sustainable solutions to their customers or have already built green investments into their operations.
On show were a wide range of innovative products and services. They included: a traffic planning software solution designed to cut single occupancy car travel; samples of sustainable modular cabling for the electric vehicle charging industry; solar energy collectors that have been shown to cut hot water bills by 60%; and recycled ‘carbon-negative’ carpets, textiles and fabrics for the interior design of offices and workplaces.
The event was planned and led jointly by Barry Smith, Relationship Consultant at Hampshire Chamber and chair of its Basingstoke strategy group, and Mark Jones, Partnerships Manager at Destination Basingstoke.
Barry said: “We want each attendee to take away at least one do-able idea for action so that collectively we can make a difference.”
Mark said: “The green agenda is one of Destination Basingstoke’s core values. We want to make it easier for people to engage with that.
“It can be difficult for a small business to focus on green skills and get engaged, particularly if they are part of a complex supply chain. That challenge is one of the things this event is here to address.”
Hampshire Chamber of Commerce
Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is the independent voice of local business across the county and one of the largest regional business networks in the UK. With a strategic vision to ‘unlock Hampshire’s potential’, Hampshire Chamber brings together the combined influence, strength and expertise of the county’s three former major chambers. It works with over 2,000 individual firms spanning all sectors and sizes of business. Member services include training, advice, international trade documentation, events, networking opportunities and lobbying to policymakers on issues affecting business. Hampshire Chamber’s PEER network (standing for Participation, Engagement, Expertise and Reputation) is a member community designed to help any employer to grow and thrive irrespective of their stage on the enterprise journey.
