Businesses get access to low carbon events

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17/03/2010

Businesses interested in implementing low carbon initiatives are being urged to attend a series of free events taking place during the East Midlands Innovation Festival (iFestival).

Organised by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda), with support from Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire County Councils, Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited, and Lincolnshire Enterprise, the Low carbon series will highlight the possibilities and opportunities for businesses to develop lower carbon products and services.

Delegates will be able to take part in talks and interactive workshops on manufacturing; low carbon skills; biotechnology and renewable fuels; waste and recycling and how resource efficiency can benefit businesses.

Martin French, Head of Innovation atemda, said: "Working alongside businesses and communities,emdais well placed to support the move to a low carbon economy, offering tangible, immediate benefits to the economy, industry and the environment. 

"The Low Carbon series has been developed to offer organisations a chance to find out about low carbon initiatives, how they may have a positive impact on long term sustainability and growth and to provide information about the support and advice that is available to them across the region".

The Low carbon series will take place at the following locations between 9am and 1.30pm:

· Tuesday 23rd March - Low carbon supply chain opportunities - MAS East Midlands, PERA Innovation Park, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

· Thursday 25th March - How resource efficiency can benefit your business - The University of Northampton, Northamptonshire.

· Friday 16th April - The Bio-future: renewable chemicals, biotechnologies and biofuels - The EPIC Centre, Grange-de-Lings, Lincolnshire.

· Tuesday 20th April - Low carbon skills - The IDle Centre, North Nottinghamshire College, Nottinghamshire.

• Thursday 22nd April - A low carbon future - Nottingham, with guest speaker Andrew Sentence, member of the Bank of England Monetary Committee.

The first four events are free to attend, but registration is required as places are limited. The event on 22 April in Nottingham is by invitation only. For more information and to register visithttp://www.eminnovation.org.uk/ifestival.

Funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and East Midlands Innovation (the region's innovation council), the iFestival celebrates the importance of innovation with a programme of over 150 events across the region between 12 March and 23 April.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of the iFestival by Lava. For further information contact Louise or Steph at Lava on 01522 842 800 /louise@lavapr.co.uk/steph@lavapr.co.uk

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Notes to Editors:

About the iFestival

The iFestival is region-wide and takes place between 12th March and 23rd April 2010. Building on the success of 2009, the fourth annual iFestival will encompass an inspiring, inclusive programme of events, designed to help foster a culture of innovation in the region with activity targeted at young people, businesses, communities and organisations supporting or involved within an innovation environment. Innovation is regarded as a key driver in creating a dynamic, knowledge focused East Midlands' economy and it is identified as a strategic priority in the Regional Economic Strategy.

Improved productivity in an increasingly competitive global market means that businesses and organisations in the East Midlands must put innovation at the heart of their core activities, if they are to flourish and stay ahead of the game.  The iFestival is being co-ordinated by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and East Midlands Innovation - The Regional Science and Industry Council. For further information including the latest programme of events and innovation updates please visit:www.eminnovation.org.uk 

 
About East Midlands Development Agency

East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England, set up in 1999 to bring a regional focus to economic development.

· Ten years on, independent evaluation showsemdahas:

· Had a significant impact on the region's economy

· Generated economic benefits that substantially outweigh its overall costs

· Put back over £9 of economic output (or GVA) into the regional economy for every £1 it spends

· Produced more than £1 billion in economic benefits per year

• A wider impact on people, places and businesses in the East Midlands that cannot be captured by figures alone.

emdais committed to supporting the region through the current downturn and has put in place a range of measures to provide real help during these challenging times.
 
Over the long term,emda's aim is to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES) by working in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations. The RES highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and sets out key priorities until 2020 to ensure the vision for 'a flourishing region' can be achieved.
For more details visitwww.emda.org.uk

About East Midlands Innovation

East Midlands Innovation is the region's innovation council, which was established in 2005 byemda. East Midlands Innovation's principle responsibility is to guide emda's investment in innovation support to help achieve the objectives of the RES. Its members are drawn from and represent business, research and the public sector.
 
For more details visitwww.eminnovation.org.uk 

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