What is the purpose?

To help businesses to realise the economic benefits of investing in the natural environment and understand why it makes good business sense to be more efficient in the use of natural resources.

Who should come?

Local businesses with a focus on the green economy, businesses developing products and services to adjust to environmental challenges, members of Local Nature Partnerships and other local and national environmental organisations.

What form will the event take, what are the benefits of attending?

• Hear from guest speakers including Center Parcs and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

• Debate key issues and suggest solutions to enabling businesses in the green economy to grow

• Find out about how to use the idea of ‘natural capital’ to understand the value of nature for businesses

• Access advice and information from local and national environmental organisations, including sources of funding

• Network with businesses and fellow local and national environmental organisations

• Panel discussion with Local Nature Partnership Chairs

• Lunch and networking

Facilitated Workshops

1. Business in the Green Economy

How can SEMLEP help businesses in the green economy?

How can we grow the green economy in SEMLEP?

2. Measurement of Natural Capital

How could corporate natural capital accounting help companies in the South East Midlands?

Could a natural capital investment framework help grow the SEMLEP economy, naturally?

Keynote speakers:

Chris Brooks, Corporate Sustainability Manager, Center Parcs

Dan Watson, Associate, Sustainability and Climate Change, WSP Parsons Brinckerhof (Consultancy of the

Year in the Guardian Sustainable Business Awards) speaking on “Benefiting from the Green Economy”

Ian Dickie and Duncan Royle, eftec speaking on “Nature on the Balance Sheet”