Sustain Britain, a new conference aiming to draw attention to the need to enhance sustainable practices within local communities, including increasing self-sufficiency, will take place at the Sustain Farm Shop and Café, Royal Wootton Bassett on Friday 13 September.
Free to attend, the ticketed event will feature eminent speakers including My Green Pod co-founder Jarvis Smith and Sir Jonathan Porritt, co-founder of Forum of the Future and former co-chair of the Green Party.
‘A new and different approach is needed to secure a better future for Britain and for our local communities. Bold and transformative steps are needed to create a more sustainable society, where communities and businesses are supported and encouraged to produce more for themselves and for their local markets.
‘Only by doing this can we become less reliant on international imports and the influence of multinationals. By putting self-sufficiency at the heart of communities across the country we can keep more money in our local economies, helping to secure jobs and a brighter future for all.
‘Our hope is that, by bringing like-minded individuals together at the conference, we can deliver the seeds of change, creating a positive movement that will make greater self-sufficiency and sustainability a reality.’
NICK ASH
Project director at Sustain Wiltshire
Topics covered will include how to address the challenge of delivering high-quality, affordable, sustainable rented housing, and adopting new approaches to overcome the high cost of food and energy.
Supported by Sustain Wiltshire, the Sustain Britain Conference will include a welcome from South Cotswolds MP, Dr Roz Savage, who will provide an overview to the conference, and an introduction to the speakers for the day.
In addition to Jarvis Smith and Sir Jonathan Porritt, speakers will include board advisor to regional government and business Net Zero programmes Thomas Panton, and project director at Sustain Wiltshire Nick Ash.
‘Having spent many years campaigning for a more sustainable and ethical approach to life and business, and having advised organisations ranging from Yeo Valley through to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, I know well the challenges faced by those striving for positive change.
‘The Sustain Britain Conference offers an amazing opportunity to examine more closely what we should be doing to realise a more self-sufficient society both as individuals, and as organisations. Addressing everything from innovative new approaches through to the role that Sustainable Anarchy has to play in effecting positive change, the conference promises to be an unmissable event for anyone passionate about a more sustainable future for Britain.’
JARVIS SMITH
Co-founder of My Green Pod
Topics to be covered at the conference include Sustainable Anarchy: why localisation rather than globalisation holds the key to a more sustainable future; Sustain Circles: how innovation and local production is vital to addressing the needs of local communities; breaking our reliance on multinationals and overseas imports and creating sustainable housing, food, energy and employment for future generations.
The aim of the conference is to provide a thought-provoking focus on sustainability, self-sufficiency and the creation of local solutions to national issues.
It will include a series of breakout sessions that will help to feed into the creation of a Sustain Britain Manifesto, which will be developed following the conference.
‘I’ve spent my whole career in the climate sector campaigning for and advising organisations ranging from international NGOs to regional government groups. The key to all of these discussions is collaboration.
‘It’s great to see the ‘Sustain Britain Conference’ bringing different fields, expertise, and organisations together to work towards a thriving and more sustainable society. I believe the focus on localisation and collaboration are going to be driving forces in this becoming a must-attend event here and into the future!’
THOMAS PANTON
Board advisor to regional government and business Net Zero programmes
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