This is an early diary date note for our next General Meeting which will be held on November 15, thereby allowing people to attend this event and then move to the House of Lords for our dinner there – see below. The GM is to be hosted by WSP and the subject is water – a continuing BCSD-UK investigation into water as a critical resource under pressure. Speaker details and timings to be released soon.

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MEBC is the lead business network in the Midlands focusing on sustainable development as a business opportunity. It is the Midlands “branch” of the BCSD-UK. Its annual dinner celebrates business success and is held as a formal occasion in the lavish surroundings of the banqueting hall of Birmingham Council House. Guest speaker for 2010 is Tony Wray, CE of Severn Trent. A table costs £580 plus VAT and main sponsor is Grant UK. Enquiries and bookings to jenniem@ebc-info.co.uk

BCSD-UK July GM - A view of sustainable development under the new coalition government

Hosted at their north London offices by Logica, the business and technology service company that employs 39,000 people across 36 countries, the July General Meeting of the BCSD-UK had a focus on how the new UK coalition government is responding to the sustainable development agenda.

Before concentrating on the main subject, delegates were introduced by Logica’s CEO, Craig Boundy, to his company and its deep seated commitment to sustainable development values. The new BCSD-UK member introductory spot was filled by Dr Graham Cooley, CEO of the energy storage and clean fuel company, ITM Power.

Two speakers gave their view of how the new UK coalition government is tackling sustainable development. From the world of finance came Mungo Park, Chairman & Founder, Innovator Capital Limited while major manufacturing was represented by Ian Goldsmith, Public Affairs Manager, Tata Steel Europe.

Whilst Mungo opened up an inter-active discussion and wanted to talk in a Chatham House environment about his thoughts, Ian made a formal presentation which BCSD-UK members can see in full on the members’ site at www.bcsd-uk.co.uk

In summary of Ian’s presentation, he said that despite rumours to the contrary, the steel industry is alive and well, but perhaps a little less vibrant in Europe than it is in China and India. European steel companies are still very busy in a wide range of activities aimed at creating a sustainable future for the economy and the industry itself through continual focus on product quality, product innovation and technical development.

He thought the new coalition intends many of the right things and he particularly welcomed their ideas on regulation, but worries about their level of climate change ambition compared to where we are right now in the economic cycle and with the current state of technology. He’s not convinced that the policy makers understand the nature of international markets and what that means for businesses exposed to the cost of carbon. He said: “I don’t think they understand the damage that will be done directly to steel producers and other energy-intensive manufacturers, and indirectly to the economy, through application of ever-more ambitious unilateral targets and costs.

“Finally, I’m concerned that the policy toolbox hasn’t yet recognised that some of the things upon which they are pinning their hopes of achieving the needed CO2 reductions are either unaffordable or undeliverable in the timescale required.

“I wanted to finish on a more positive note, but I think it’s too early to tell”.

BCSD-UK members can see slides from the General Meeting including those of Dr Graham Cooley of ITM Power, and the full text of Ian Goldsmith’s presentation on the members’ section at www.bcsd-uk.co.uk

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Fourteen outputs from the March 2010 BCSD-UK People.Space.Movement (PSM) “display and debate” event held at the Coventry Ricoh Arena are to be explored by an Outputs Advisory Group under the Chairmanship of BCSD-UK Deputy Chairman, Peter Braithwaite of CH2MHill.

PSM brought together people from the world of urban design and build, IT/ICT, the auto industry, and fuel and energy provision to exchange views on progress to a low carbon, sustainable global society. It also provided a shop window for new products and services.

Issues arising from PSM included:

Welcome to the latest edition of the WBCSD's Regional Network, an informal alliance of some 60 CEO-led business organizations around the globe that are united by a shared commitment to providing business leadership for sustainable development in their respective countries or regions.

We are now reaching out to almost 10'000 subscribers, and in this edition we feature the latest updates on a selected number of recent activities, publications, conferences and other events from the WBCSD's Regional Network partners.

Bulmer Foundation - Masters Degree in Sustainable Development Advocacy

The Bulmer Foundation's MA in Sustainable Development Advocacy is a unique initiative to train graduates to influence government, community and business to move towards more sustainable business practices.

Based in Hereford, this highly innovative course offers a challenging learning experience involving the development and practice of advocacy skills through master classes, community placements and live projects. The programme is available on a one year full-time or a three year part-time basis. A Post Graduate Certificate and Diploma are also available.

Entry Requirements We welcome applications from people who have an honours degree in the arts, sciences, or humanities. We will consider applicants without a degree who have equivalent work-based experience.

Inviting applications NOW for September 2010

For further information please contact: Christianne Wakeham MA Programme Leader The Bulmer Foundation, The Cider Museum, 21 Ryelands Street, Hereford.HR4 0LW 01432 294112 / 07770 644270 c.wakeham@worc.ac.uk www.advocatingchange.org.uk

The West Midlands’ first ever Top 50 Green Leaders has been revealed today in a bid to drive forward the move to a low carbon economy and society by 2020. BCSD-UK CEO David Middleton is included in the list.

Organised by Sustainability West Midlands, the competition addresses the leadership gap in the area by celebrating and promoting some of the most influential people currently driving the agenda.

The Top 50 Green Leaders, who received their certificates from international campaigner Jonathon Porritt at a special event at Millennium Point last night, will now be invited to use this new platform to share and pass on their experiences, skills and knowledge to the next generation of professionals.

They will also be invited to develop new solutions and influence policy by contributing to research and new Government initiatives such as the Big Society.

“We were absolutely overwhelmed by the response and what it clearly shows is the appetite from the West Midlands to meet the 2020 Low Carbon vision,” explained Dr Simon Slater, Executive Director of Sustainability West Midlands.

“Our Top 50 Green Leaders features a diverse group of individuals, who have all helped to implement and run activities that have had a positive environmental impact with additional social or economic benefits.”

He continued: “There have been some excellent examples of low carbon innovation, communities tackling key green issues successfully and major public services adjusting the way they work to be more eco-friendly.

“It proves the great ingenuity and spirit that was present when the West Midlands kicked off the high carbon revolution is still alive and well today as we invent the low carbon era. We are trying to capture this drive and passion and share it with up and coming leaders, who will be essential in picking up the agenda and running with it.”

Peter Laybourn was included in the list for his work in developing and introducing the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP)

Through spin-out company International Synergies, he has made a major contribution to the region by creating/safeguarding over 2600 jobs, boosting the economy by £99m and diverting 660,650 tonnes waste from landfill.

Today, NISP has over 13,000 member companies from all industry sectors and some of its green achievements include reducing CO2 by 6 million tonnes, saving 10.5m tonnes of industrial water and eliminated 371,000 tonnes of hazardous water.

Peter was delighted at being part of the first Top 50 Green Leaders list:

“Anything that raises awareness of the green agenda is very welcome and I’m delighted that the work we did in developing NISP has been recognised and will be used as an example of what can be achieved.

“The lessons learned here can be used for new projects and opportunities that the West Midlands can lead on.”

Other business people recognised in the list are Barry Davies (A.F. Blakemore & Son), Dr Susan Juned (Greenwatt Technology), Andy Whyle (Ricoh UK Products), Sue Prince OBE (Beechenhill Farm), Tim Pollard (Wolseley UK) and David Smith (former CEO of Jaguar Land Rover).

Social enterprise is also well represented with Natasha Giaquinto (the Hive), Richard Beard (Jericho Foundation) and Michael Lilley (MyTime CIC), whilst Cllr Paul Tilsley (Birmingham City Council), Ian Housley (Staffordshire Fire and Rescue) and Cllr Anthony Blagg (Worcestershire County Council) are amongst 17 public sector leaders.

There was even a place on the list for BBC Gardeners World’s Alys Fowler, who used her garden and community work in Birmingham for the TV series ‘edible gardener’.

This explored the possibilities and limitations of community self–sustainability and has subsequently inspired a range of people to live lower impact lifestyles through community gardening and growing food as part of a small garden.

Dr Simon Slater concluded: “We wanted our first Top 50 Green Leaders to be reflective of the West Midlands and that is why it was so important to get a broad cross-section of people working in different sectors that others can relate to.

“This is just the start and we’d like to make this an annual competition and a way for the very best to get involved and make the region a sustainable capital of excellence.

“We’ve already got some interesting solutions, such as a masterclass series, support for young or emerging leaders and developing a West Midlands’ low carbon agency. There were also suggestions of green industrial tours to continue to attract investment, as the Government cuts support outside London.”

Sustainability West Midlands, the sustainability adviser for the leaders of the West Midlands, shares a vision where business and communities thrive in a region that is environmentally sustainable and socially just.

It is private sector led, cross sector and not-for-profit organisation which acts as a catalyst for change through advice to leaders, developing practical solutions with members and sharing success through its communications and events programme.

For more information, please visit www.sustainabilitywestmidlands.org.uk or contact 0121 202 3265/enquiries@swm.org.uk

The top 50 in full

1. Janet Bailey – Orion Management
2. Richard Baines – Black Country Housing Group
3. Richard Beard – Jericho Foundation
4. Phil Beardmore – formerly Groundwork West Midlands
5. Cllr Anthony Blagg- Worcestershire County Council
6. David Brown – IChemE
7. Keith Budden – Birmingham City Council
8. Michele Campbell – Bromford Group
9. Michael Chesshire – BiogenGreenfinch
10. John Christophers – Associated Architects
11. John Daft – Birse Civils
12. Barry Davies – A.F. Blakemore & Son
13. Paul Davies – Wates
14. Richard Davies – Marches Energy Agency
15. Laura Davis – Ideas for All
16. Alys Fowler – BBC Gardeners World
17. Natasha Giaquinto – The Hive
18. Maud Grainger – Faith and Climate Change
19. Russell Granville – Amcor Flexibles
20. Jane Green – 2020 Zero Waste
21. Phil Harris – Worcestershire County Council
22. Ian Housley – Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service
23. Dr Susan Juned – Greenwatt Technology
24. Gerald Kells – Campaign to Protect Rural England
25. Adam Kennerley – Household Energy Service
26. Professor Julia King CBE – Aston University
27. Jacky Lawrence – Warwickshire County Council
28. Peter Laybourn – International Synergies Ltd
29. Professor Quentin Leiper CBE – Carillion
30. Michael Lilley – MyTime
31. Fiona Loveland – Brindleyplace
32. George Martin – Willmott Dixon
33. Tony McNally – Climate Change Solutions
34. David Middleton – Business Council for Sustainable Development – UK
35. Tim Pollard – Wolseley UK
36. Sue Prince OBE – Beechenhill Farm
37. Vijith Randeniya – West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service
38. Matthew Rhodes – Encraft
39. Mark Sitton-Kent – Environment Agency
40. David Smith – former Jaguar Land Rover
41. Paul Sutton – Shropshire Housing Group
42. Cllr Paul Tilsley – Birmingham City Council
43. Peter Ulleri – 2050 Logistics
44. Chris Vaughan – Summerfield’s Residents’ Association
45. Kevin White – Midlands Vegan Campaigns
46. Andy Whyle – Ricoh UK Products
47. Gareth Williams – Caplor Farm
48. Andrew Thomas Woods – Abbey Forestry LLP
49. Peter Woodward – Coventry Partnership Environment Theme Group
50. Alan Yates – Accord Housing Association

David Middleton
CEO
BCSD-UK

EBC Ltd
Unit F3 The Arch
48-52 Floodgate Street
Birmingham  B5 5SL

Email: davidm@ebc-info.co.uk
Tel: 0121-693-8334
Fax: 0121-693-8448