Published: Wednesday, 13th July 2022
The recent council-sponsored Climate Change Expo in King’s Lynn is already reaping benefits that will have positive effects in the long-term.
The council understands that as well as the networking and employment opportunities offered, at least one new contract is being negotiated.
Cllr Paul Kunes, cabinet member for the environment at the borough council, said: “We wanted to do this because our climate change pledges go way beyond words. We have a deep and firm commitment to taking actions that will reduce our own impact on the environment and support others to do the same.
“Holding the Climate Change Expo was one of the ways in which we deliver on this commitment and I would like to extend my personal thanks to all involved, whether as an organiser, exhibitor or delegate.
“Lots of the delegates have told us how good it was to have the opportunity to meet like-minded people and likewise, the exhibitors have told us they made really useful new contacts that will help them in delivering their initiatives and services.
“It was also extremely pleasing to see how impressed people were with what the council is doing – particularly given that the delegates are experts in this field.”
Nova Fairbank, Chief Operating Officer of the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, added: “We saw organisations from a diverse range of sectors from printers to business consultants; manufacturers to construction; and charities to churches!
“This was a really good day and a fantastic example of what you can achieve when you bring people together, which is key to how the Norfolk Chambers supports business in the county.
“This type of contact with others has been sorely missed due to COVID and businesses also told us how excited they were to be back and have the chance to talk to each other in person.”
More than 140 delegates attended the event, which was organised by the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce on behalf of the borough council of King’s Lynn and west Norfolk. They represented a huge variety of companies from micro start-ups in manufacturing and renewables to huge organisations including Aviva, the MoD and US Airforce.
There were 75 exhibitors, the vast majority of whom are Norfolk-based and all of the others deliver services in Norfolk.
Workshops enabled delegates to learn more about some key considerations for businesses on their journeys to Net Zero, including how they could benefits from renewable energy sources and practical ways in which they could achieve zero emissions.