Sustainable Growth Conference celebrates Cornwall’s green business revolution and inspires action

Over 400 delegates, sustainability experts and leading social strategists from around the world came together today to collectively tackle environmental and social challenges at the virtual Cornwall Chamber of Commerce Sustainable Growth Conference.

Taking place on World Ocean Day and ahead of the G7 Summit in Carbis Bay, the change-making event was virtually headlined with a pre-recorded video message from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance. It featured over 20 speakers and masterclass hosts who showcased Cornwall’s developments to inspire action and create a sustainable operating model for the future. 

The event was hosted at Exeter University’s Environment & Sustainability Institute on the Penryn Campus and organised by veteran sustainability expert Dr John Henry Looney, Founder of Sustainable Direction. A national internet outage interrupted the proceedings momentarily in the morning but was quickly recovered by the production team, JHAV.

Patron of Cornwall-based Surfers Against Sewage, His Royal Highness, celebrated Cornwall’s “globally significant projects” in his opening address, singling out - among others - Cornish Lithium and the Smart Islands Project on the Isles of Scilly.

In the video The Prince said: “Surrounded by sea, Cornwall has always been a place for outward-looking pioneers with an eye on the horizon. Let us use this World Oceans Day to work together and help to accelerate a green and carbon-free recovery in Cornwall; one that leaves no one behind. There could be no better place in which to do so.”

Sir Patrick Vallance focused on the Government’s target to be net zero in the UK by 2050 and shared a “warning in relation to innovation and discovery”. 

“Innovation is going to be an important way in which we deal with adaptation and mitigation of climate change but it is not a free pass,” he stressed. “We need to be realistic that anything that isn’t already discovered is not really going to help us get to this [target] by 2050. It’s things that are discovered and now need to be innovated and implemented that will help us to get there.

“At a government level we need to look at this as a whole systems problem – an integrated problem – working back from 2050 and looking at the gaps. We need to make sure that we support the ability to be able to fulfil the implementation of the innovation that is arising from right across the country.”

Alongside The Prince of Wales and Sir Patrick Vallance, speakers and masterclass hosts beamed in from as far afield as the Bahamas, Sweden and Portugal. 

In a morning of quick-fire, practical talks delegates heard how Cornish businesses are creating zero carbon electricity, heating and cooling through geothermal technology and unlocking the power of biomethane to deliver a local clean energy revolution. These talks by Geothermal Engineering Ltd and Bennamann Ltd were complemented by presentations by Kate Kennally on Cornwall Council’s 2030 vision and George Eustice MP, Secretary of State DEFRA, who shared insight on environmental land use and reward. The illustrious line-up also saw speeches by Surfers Against Sewage, Cornwall Sustainability Awards, Aim Hi, Sochelle and University of Exeter. 

Led by Andrea Gilbert of Inclusion Cornwall, delegates also explored the importance of social inclusion and the vital role of education and skills development in ensuring inclusive growth which benefits every part of the Cornish community.

Cornwall Chamber CEO Kim Conchie, who welcomed delegates to the conference alongside Eden Project Co-Founder Sir Tim Smit, comments: “Significant and truly ground-breaking projects are being undertaken in Cornwall to resolve the environmental and social issues. This was a chance to showcase that brilliance but more importantly, inspire a step change in others and together forge a brighter future.

“For such a volume of people across the world to come together with a shared vision and determination to pioneer a sustainable path – and for Cornwall to be at the forefront – is an incredible force of good, especially at a time when world leaders are converging on our shores. It is day’s like today that I am hopeful for what it is to come. As businesses and as a community we are making a difference - over the next few days all eyes will be on our political leaders to do the same.” 

Cornwall Council Leader Linda Taylor said: “This inspiring event has really brought to life Cornwall’s commitment to the G7’s agenda of tackling climate change and building a future that is greener, fairer and more prosperous for all our communities, using all our natural resources, innovation and talent in Cornwall to do so.  The stage has truly been set for world leaders later this week and we look forward to being at the forefront of this crucial agenda in the years to come.”

Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Chief Executive, Carolyn Cadman, led a masterclass for delegates on ecological integration and biodiversity net gain and added: “There is hardly a business in Cornwall that does not depend upon the quality of the Cornish environment in some way, and all will make an impact upon that environment.  We really welcome Cornwall’s business community taking action to help tackle the environmental challenges we face and who recognise the benefits of working with nature. 

“The State of Nature report, released today, shows nature is in decline, the causes and the actions we can take to reverse the decline. Having forward thinking businesses playing their part sends a clear signal that our natural environment is a priority and we all stand to benefit if sustainability is truly embedded in day-to-day working practices”

Anybody that missed the event can catch up by visiting the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce website where the speeches are available to watch.