Climate change offers South East business the potential to develop new commercial opportunities and become more competitive by saving costs, says the South East England Regional Assembly.

The Assembly co-sponsored the Prince of Wales's May Day Business Summit on Climate Change in Reading last week bringing together businesses from all sectors sharing good practice on ways to cut energy use, alternative energy sources such as wind and solar energy and approaches to reducing business travelling such as video conferencing. Businesses made firm commitments to a low carbon economy.

Speaking at the Summit, the Assembly's Chairman Cllr Keith Mitchell supported the positive approach and encouraged company directors and senior management to work with the Assembly to help deliver a sustainable economy:

"The South East has great economic potential and the Assembly's 20-year plan supports sustainable growth that cares for the environment. It is a very positive development that businesses are committed to tackling climate change and taking action to cut their carbon emissions. The Assembly will work with the businesses, the local councils and the social and environmental sectors in making their pledge reality. Tackling impacts of climate change is now seen as a business opportunity not just a risk."

Contacts

Lesley van Dijk, Assembly PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Assembly Communications Director - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. More information on the Assembly's work on climate change such as a practical guide for planners and developers to prepare for a changing climate.
2. The Assembly is a partnership of councils and communities in the South East region. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the region, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire and Surrey.
3. The Assembly is made up of 112 members including elected councillors nominated by the region's local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations) as well as the New Forest National Park Authority.
4. The Assembly has six roles:
1. Regional Planning
   preparing and delivering the South East Plan
2. Regional Housing
   the Regional Housing Board decides housing investment priorities
3. Regional Transport
   the Regional Transport Board decides transport investment priorities
4. Advocacy
   pressing the South East's interests in London and Brussels
5. Accountability
   scrutinising SEEDA's plans and impact
6. Alignment
   co-ordinating regional policies and decisions.

Our vision is for a distinctive, outward-looking, accessible region of prosperous, sustainable communities, with a high quality of life and environment.

Last updated: 21 August 2007