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Following the sad loss, last May, of David Middleton, who had been the main organizer of this event for the last 5 years , we are all determined to deliver a great event to honour David’s huge contribution and celebrate his tireless work on sustainability over the last 25 years
He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and all of those in the sustainability movement.
After the massive success of the 2019 event which attracted over 200 delegates from multi national companies, to micro businesses, NGO’s and voluntary organisations, we intend again at the 2021 event to give attendees the opportunity to network, share knowledge and exchange experiences in tackling the climate crisis.
I do hope you will be able to join us on the 28th September
Programme
Registration and refreshments from 08:30 am
09:15 – Event Welcome – Chair – Professor Martin Freer Birmingham Energy Institute University of Birmingham
John Firth – Senior Director, Climate and Resilience Hub Willis Towers Watson
‘A tribute to David Middleton ’
09:30 – 11:00 Session 1 – Setting the Scene – The Challenge and the Local, Regional and National perspectives
Jonathon Porritt CBE – Co- Founder – Forum for the Future
‘Steering a Sustainable Path between Technophilia and Technophobia’.
Marie Dunn- Head of Development Policy– Birmingham City Council
‘Birmingham’s Route to Net Zero Carbon – The Journey so Far’
Paul Dockerill – Director of Energy and Programme Management – whg
‘Carbon Zero – The Challenge for Social Housing & Communities’
Nik Mckiernan WaterAid
‘Climate change is water change’
11:00 – 11:30 Refreshments , Networking and Exhibition
11:30 – 1:00– Session 2 – Climate Change Mitigation in Action – hear from organisations delivering change or helping others to do so.
Professor Zoe Robinson Professor of Sustainability Keele University
‘Response and responsibility: the role of universities in a more sustainable future’
Aaron Carlisle Business Support Director Soltherm/SMS Group
‘Sustainability & The Challenges for Delivery’
Beverley Nielsen – Exec. Director Institute for Design, Economic Acceleration & Sustainability (IDEAS) BCU
‘Green Gas Biomethane and its role to zero negative outcomes’
Bob Sherman – Harbury Energy Initiative
‘A rural response to a global crisis’
Rosemary Coyne SHAP Co-ordinator and Warmer Homes ERDF Compliance and Coordination Project Manager at Connexus
‘Low carbon futureproofing in the age of Aquarius’
Phillip Ward – Chair RSA Sustainability Network
Do we have what it takes to be Good Ancestors?’
Jonathon Porritt to announce the Winner of the David Middleton Sustainability Award
Rolling presentation to be shown over lunch
1:00 – 2:00 – Lunch , Exhibition and Networking
2:00 – Session 3
Colin Hewson Principal Consultant Tribe Culture Change Ltd
‘Creating momentum for change – lessons from industry’
Workshop Sessions – Aim – To create the content for a ‘Communique to WM public and private sector representatives to take to COP on behalf of the conference ‘
Afternoon Chairs Chris Crean – Regional Campaigner – Friends of the Earth & Jules Todd Founder Nocomoto
2 sessions of 40 mins
Close 4pm – Tea/ Coffee to be available but no official ‘break’
EXHIBITORS
Birmingham Energy Institute – University of Birmingham
Birmingham Energy Institute (BEI) is developing and applying technological innovation, original thinking and new ways of working to create sustainable energy solutions and support the regional, national and global transition to a zero carbon energy system.
We are driving change in the way we deliver, consume and think about energy. Bringing together interdisciplinary research from across the University of Birmingham and working with government, industry and international partners our research is solving societal issues and addressing energy challenges.
ATETA, the European Regional Development Funded SME support programme from the Birmingham Energy Institute is helping organisations overcome obstacles and unlock business opportunities. Since its launch in 2017 it has offered advice and support to more than 160 businesses.
ATETA promotes research and innovation in the adoption of low carbon energy technologies for SME’s active in the Black Country, Coventry, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership Areas.
Website: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/energy/research/ateta.aspx
Contact: Dr Emily Prestwood, Development Manager, Birmingham Energy Institute
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/energy/index.aspx
Email: Evelyn Phoenix, ATETA Business Engagement Officer e.phoenix@bham.ac.uk
Sureena Sohal, ATETA Project Manager
Big Solar Coop
The Big Solar Co-op is a national energy co-operative using a new model for community-owned solar on large rooves without the need for subsidies. Community Energy Birmingham has partnered with the Big Solar Co-op to establish their first Local Node.
We install solar panels on buildings with no capital investment required from the site owner. The site owner benefits from reduced energy bills and carbon emissions
We are recruiting a part-time Community Energy Local Coordinator to kickstart the Birmingham Local Node. Visit our website for more details. New volunteers are always welcome, including those with limited time available. We offer regular training sessions for designing solar arrays. Visit our website to sign up.
If you are a site owner, or you can put us in touch with the owner of a suitable roof, please use the self-referral tool on our website or send us an email.
Websites: bigsolar.coop communityenergybirmingham.coop
Email: info@bigsolar.coop enquiry@communityenergybirmingham.coop
Ecolec
Ecolec have been designing, manufacturing, and developing state-of-the-art electric heating systems in the West Midlands, England for the last 24 years. To help preserve the environment, and as part of its sustainability policy, Ecolec offer a Do Not Scrap return to-base full refit and refurbishment service.
A simple to install wireless controlled heating system for home and commercial applications. Perfect for public areas, offices, corridors, bathrooms, showrooms, shops, nurseries, schools, retirement homes and healthcare
Energy Confidence with Phil Beardmore
Do you need expert help with:
-energy efficiency and renewable energy measures in your home or business?
-making the business case for decarbonisation within your organisation, or externally to funders?
Are you an emerging environmental leader? Or have you recently taken on responsibility for environmental sustainability in your organisations? My Environmental Leadership Coaching Programme could be for you.
Take the next step towards turning your good ideas into a workable low-carbon project – www.energyconfidence.co.uk
Watch my video here – https://youtu.be/G1SfY9LjicI
Phil is truly an expert in his field. I can understand why most people around the West Midlands choose to go to Phil for energy-saving consultancy. Phil has a thorough understanding of energy conservation and sustainable living. Would highly recommend.” Nathalie Rush, MD, Six Star Insulation.
Website: www.energyconfidence.co.uk
Ramboll
As ‘Sustainable Society Consultants’ responsible business conduct and sustainable practices have been part of Ramboll’s DNA since the company’s inception. Today these principles are an integral part of Our Mission and services and are formalised through our systematic work with the UN sustainable development goals.
We are dedicated to taking a leading role in sharing best practices and creating value for clients by delivering solutions that are environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable. We have also committed to ambitious targets to maximise our own sustainability performance and set the industry benchmark.
Ramboll has decades of proven experience creating liveable and sustainable places across the world. From city and district-wide masterplans to liveability solutions at a street or building level, we help clients shape attractive places that prioritise people, nature and prosperity.
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WASUP
WASUP – World Against Single Use Plastic was founded by
Professor Gatrad OBE, a Consultant Paediatrician. It has 4 principles:
- Raising awareness
- Education
- Litter-picking
- Putting pressure on corporates to decrease plastic in their supply chain.
WASUP is attached to many organisations including the community brand of the Commonwealth Games, the Miss England Pageant, Lions Clubs and many corporates such as Lendlease Ltd. In the ‘Let us make a spectacle’ campaign, discarded but reusable plastic glasses from opticians are collected and sent to various poor resourced countries. Over a dozen countries are involved with WASUP including India and Pakistan. Prof Gatrad has given talks to well over 100 schools, corporates, and faith organisation locally, regionally and internationally about the dangers of plastic entering our food chain. WASUP has hundreds of volunteers up and down the UK and has carried out over 100 canal cleaning events and hundreds of street litter picking events.
The Story of 3 Plastic Bottls was created by Professor A T Gatrad OBE DL – Founder of WASUP and Suzanne Kalloghlian.
The aim being to raise awareness of the dangers of plastic – a useful starting point for class discussions and also maybe a stocking filler for those with young children.
Normally retails at £5.99 but available at the conference for £5
Whg
We are privileged to provide affordable homes, quality services and support to people across the Midlands. Climate change will inevitably become an even more pressing issue as the world heats up so the commitment to significantly reduce our impact is vital as homes have a major impact on the environment – this is particularly pertinent to our older homes. Our portfolio of corporate and communal property, fleet and grey fleet also has a significant environmental impact as a result of the need to consume energy and fuel. We have made a commitment to develop a road map to achieve carbon neutral status.
We also see the importance of maintaining the ISO14001 Environmental Management Standard as a bench march for overseeing organisational compliance with all applicable legislation and monitoring the progress being made to achieve our environmental objectives. We are delighted to continue with our active support and sponsorship with the conference.
Submissions for the David Middleton Sustainability Award are now closed
David Middleton sadly passed in May 2020. David was a stalwart supporter of the Sustainability movement for many years. He helped launch the Midlands Environmental Business Club in 1991 and was also the CEO of the UK Branch of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Even after retiring in 2013 David continued to demonstrate his enormous enthusiasm and passion for Sustainability including setting up and running the annual Sustainability conference in Birmingham and writing a series of 4 fast moving adventure stories with central themes based on various elements of sustainable development.
David’s colleagues and friends in the sustainability industry, together with his family, have established this award in his memory. The David Middleton Sustainability Award will be presented to recognise and encourage similar passion, enthusiasm, and outstanding commitment to sustainable development.
The David Middleton Sustainability Award will be given to an individual who has either developed practical solutions or an innovative product or delivered a sustainability programme within their organisation or has brought people together in a collaborative way to deliver sustainability. The award is open to individuals working in organisations of any size in the UK.
The award will be made by the project advisory group of the David Middleton Sustainability Conference. The winner will be announced at the conference on 28th September 2021.
. All applications will require the following:
• Contact details: name(s) and contact details (email & phone) for the award applicant.
• Outline what has been achieved: this should show how the applicant has developed practical solutions or an innovative product, has been successful in delivering sustainable solutions, or has brought people together in a collaborative way. This submission should be a maximum of 500 words.
• If nominating yourself, please supply contact details (email & phone) for an Application referee who has agreed to verify or provide additional insights into what has been achieved.
The deadline for submissions to the David Middleton Sustainability Award is 17:00 on Friday 20th August. If you know someone who might like to apply, please do pass on these details.
Please send the completed application to
Jacqui.staunton@climate-change-solutions.co.uk
David Middleton – The Background
David Middleton was given the opportunity, at the age of 20, to become a news reporter on the weekly local newspaper, the Walsall Observer. He spent a few years in local newspapers and radio before becoming a motor sport photo journalist. Via time in commercial PR he moved into the world of exhibitions and conferences which took him across Europe, Japan and the USA. In 1988 he had his ‘green epiphany’ standing on a bridge in Pittsburgh. In 1991 he helped launch the Midlands Environmental Business Club (M.E.B.C.), a business group dedicated to the subject of sustainable development. He was it’s CEO and was Secretary General of TURF – The Urban Renewal Foundation . He also later added the role of CEO of the UK branch of the World Business Council for Sustainable Developments to his activities.
He retired from those responsibilities in 2013 and then become involved in various projects including the annul Sustainability conferenece. In August 2017 he was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce.
In ‘retirement’ he also starting writing fast moving adventure stories with the central themes based on various elements of sustainable development in the hope this might be an effective vehicle by which to carry important messages to as wide an audience as possible. Titled
The Final Shah Mat
The Acionna Projects
The Hwang Solution
Cobalt!
David sadly passed away in May 2020 , he will be sorely missed by his family, friends and all those in the sustainability movement
Car Parking
Please note although there is onsite parking available it is not guaranteed due to the nature of the estate. If the Tally Ho car park is full, please park in the MAC pay and display car park ( Cannon Hill Park ) which is within walking distance of the venue with both pay by phone & cash. To access the MAC exit the Tally Ho and turn right into Bristol Road. Turn right at the traffic lights and turn second right into the MAC car park. Drive to the end. On the right is a small gate which leads into the Tally Ho car park, and then it is just a short walk to the venue.
Entrance to the actual conference is via the glass doors with a plaque for the Lord Knights Suite. Please do not enter via the doors badged Conference centre which leads to their reception and offices.
Postcode
The postcode is B5 7RN
Travelling to the event
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David Middleton Books
Why David wrote his 4 novels? In the widely acclaimed documentary film by Leonardo DiCaprio, “Before the Flood”, both former President Obama and the late astronaut Dr Piers Sellers said there is a dire need to inform and educate the public about climate change
Before he retired as CEO of the UK branch of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and of the Midlands Environmental Business Club, the UK Midlands’ major business network on sustainable development, David spent nearly 25 years trying to promote the subject of climate change amongst other key challenges confronting our species.
Having retired, he found a new vehicle to promote his feelings and concerns about the issues facing our planet. He turned to writing Bond-like thrillers with a different sustainability theme running through each one . They are a weave of truth and fiction. Please support his lifetime efforts
Website: https://www.davidmiddleton-author.com/books
We are delighted to be able to offer 3 of the books here at the conference. At £8 each or all 3 for £20. An excellent Christmas Present for anyone interested in Sustainability . Please bring cash
EbikeBrum
EbikeBrum is a not-for-profit West Midlands based e-bike specialist and supplier including an extensive range of traditional bikes and equipment. Our range of bikes include MTBs, Hybrids, Gravel Bikes, Road bikes, TT-Bikes and the latest state-of-the-art training equipment. We have developed strong relationships across the West Midlands to make cycling accessible to all from complete beginner to the seasoned athlete. Profits from our bike sales allow us to develop free cycling activities to youth groups to active aging. We have a dedicated cycling café in North Birmingham, The Cobble, were cyclists and members of the community are welcomed to enjoy the finest Italian coffee and relax in our bike-friendly environment. Our latest projects include NHS e-bike staff loans, introduction to cycling for women, youth e-bike MTB rides, youth football virtual training as well as several rides per week free to join from our café in North Birmingham.
Info@ebikebrum.com
Energeo
Energeo create unique data for Towns and Cities that need to reduce emissions, generate clean energy, improve air quality, or deliver Electric Vehicle infrastructure. By digitally studying the as-built, urban environment – using sources such as satellite imagery – the most beneficial locations to deploy low carbon technologies such as solar, wind, heat pumps, and EV charge points are automatically identified. This geospatially driven, non-intrusive approach reduces initial surveying costs and accelerates the intelligence gathering process, enabling stakeholders to focus on the biggest impact and most beneficial decarbonization scenarios both environmentally and financially.
Energeo’s clients include Oxfordshire County Council, BCP Council, London Borough of Lambeth Council, East Lothian Council, Milton Keynes Council, National Grid, Sovereign Housing Association, Vivid Housing, and more
Ian Dee Ian.dee@energeo.co.uk
Future We Want
Future We Want deliver fun, scientifically-informed climate change learning and engagement. Their physical carbon footprint games (available for rental and sale) are relevant and suitable for all audiences and budgets.
Future We Want launched a new ‘Carbon Literacy for Educators’ course in September 2021. Director, Dr Emma Fieldhouse, won a Woman in Innovation award in 2020/21 from Innovate UK to support the development of a novel digital version of the carbon footprint games which will be launched in a beta version at COP26 and available to buy from March 2022
GHG Insight
Sustainability Vision Ltd is a software developer and consultancy specialising in products and services that support environmental sustainability. Our lead product, GHGi Analytics, is a cloud-based data collection, analysis & reporting software service, for energy use and GHG emissions. It is aligned with the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard and fully meets the requirements of ESOS and SECR (The UK’s Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) legislation).
It helps take the pain out of tracking your Net Zero strategy and managing Science Based Targets. Our experienced consultants have been providing services in the area of carbon emissions reporting since 2009
+44 (0)1509 815554
Nocomoto
We want more people to cycle more often in every town and city, because it’s great for the wellbeing of both riders and communities. And yet, many people choose not to cycle. So, we asked what people really need / want from everyday urban transport. The result is Evolv365 – a personal vehicle which is safer, more comfortable and more practical than any other bike. In personal or cargo bike configuration, Evolv365 can slash your carbon emissions and costs per mile.
With support from Innovate UK, Warwick Manufacturing Group and University of Birmingham we are developing pre-production prototypes. Currently seeking manufacturing and business partners, investors and early adopters
Repc
Established in 2003, Repc Ltd is a social enterprise that specialises in repurposing IT equipment for reuse in communities across the UK, reducing digital poverty and protecting the environment by preventing unwanted electronic equipment from ending in landfill.
We collect unwanted IT from government departments, business, and organisations, providing secure data wiping, certification, and audit reporting before repurposing the equipment for reuse by our most vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals.
Digital poverty existed before COVID19, and it will exist after the pandemic. However, lockdowns helped to expose the severity of the problem, particular among deprived communities. In response, Repc are now working with more partners to provide more IT resources to a wider range of social needs , including tackling loneliness and isolation among the elderly, veterans and people with disabilities, students from disadvantaged backgrounds seeking further/higher education or wanting to improve their chances of employment.
You can find out more about our services or become a donor on our website
RSA
The RSA, the royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce. We’re committed to a future that works for everyone. A future where we can all participate in its creation.
The RSA has been at the forefront of significant social impact for over 260 years. Our proven change process, rigorous research, innovative ideas platforms and diverse global community of over 30,000 problem-solvers, deliver solutions for lasting change.
One of our current key areas of work is around regenerative futures, which focuses on facing the challenges of climate change, inequality and environmental degradation, we know to simply sustain is not enough. We want to see a world where people and communities harness their potential to be sources of health and regeneration for all life on earth.
Because people and planetary needs are intertwined, our problem solving should be too. We need to regenerate.
Soltherm External Insulations Ltd/Surefire Management Services LTD
Soltherm are producers of the highest quality EWI and thermal insulation systems in the world. We have been manufacturing products in house on the most advanced production line in Europe for more than 25 years.
We are engineering led with a R&D department unique to the EWI industry. With an ongoing commitment to innovation and improvement we have produced a fully certified A1 fire rated system and have a 75 year approved system to name but a few.
SMS procurement services are designed to bring genuine efficiencies to work programmes without sacrificing the level of choice and compliance you expect. SMS provide a robust framework and consultancy services to deliver excellent quality retrofit work across the UK.
SMS offer a full turnkey package from writing and submitting any bids to delivering the works. Working with homeowners and local authorities to make their homes warmer and smarter whilst improving energy efficiency.
If you want further information on the sponsorship opportunities and exhibiting please contact
Jacqui Staunton
jacqui.staunton@climate-change-solutions.co.uk
07866552833
We are proud to support WaterAid as our chosen charity. You can find out more at www.wateraid.org’.
The David Middleton Sustainability Conference is supporting WaterAid to honour David’s tireless work on Sustainability. It’s unbelievable that in the 21st century 785 million people don’t yet have access to clean water. WaterAid aims to change lives with clean water. David recognised this vital issue with one of his novels highlighting the serious impact of Climate Change on Water Supply (The Acionna Projects ) . The conference is free to attend but donations to this great cause in David’s name would be gratefully received.
Link to the Just Giving Web Page Below
We would like to thank our Sponsors ( Walsall Housing Group, University of Birmingham, Keele University and Soltherm SMS) for their support which enables us to offer this event free to delegates. The RSA Local Area Team are also supporting the conference
