Sustainabilitylive! - the UK’s largest Energy, Water and Environment event

(23/07/2012)

Sustainabilitylive! once again proved a resounding success with its leading energy, water, land and sustainable business exhibitions all under one roof attracting large crowds at the NEC, Birmingham from 22to 24th May 2012.

There was positive feedback on the high quality of visitors and the fact that all major industry names were represented. Many of the seminars were standing room only, with attendance at all six conference theatres now counting towards delegates’ Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Damien Smith, a visitor, posted: “Inspired after visiting Sustainability Live, great behavioural change seminars.”

Charlie Fairfield from Edinburgh Napier University, said: “Excellent networking event - all the right people from industry present, would thoroughly recommend academic/R&D staff to visit future Sustainability Live events.”

Sustainabilitylive! comprises the National Energy Management Exhibition (NEMEX), the International Water and Effluent Exhibition (IWEX), Brownfield Expo (BEX), and Sustainable Business – The Event (SB).

The CPD certified seminars throughout the whole conference programme included the co-located HEVAR – the national exhibition for the heating and ventilating industry in the UK.

The packed seminar theatres and busy exhibition floor, featuring more than 300 exhibitors, showed the continued emphasis that companies are placing on energy efficiency, water-saving solutions and environmental services.

Popular presentations delivered by many of the UK’s high-level speakers from Government, business and commerce kept visitors abreast of the current industry issues facing businesses today. Key topics ranged from energy saving, the green deal and behavioural change to energy policy and electricity market reforms.

In a packed out energy theatre, leading environmentalist Tony Juniper explored why behavioural change has been a relatively-neglected aspect of the sustainable development debate. In offering insights into possible remedies, he also suggested the need for a more sophisticated approach to shaping people’s actions in relation to sustainability outcomes as we move towards a low-carbon economy.

Large crowds were also drawn to presentations by Barry Gardiner MP, Ed Milliband’s Special Envoy on Climate Change and Environment, and Biffa’s Chief Executive Officer Ian Wakelin, who highlighted actions in the move towards the zero waste to landfill vision. It included a look at the infrastructure and technology that is developing (such as AD and mixed plastics recycling) and the types of services that are proven to work in household, commercial and industrial recycling.

Other high-level commentators during the three-day seminar programme included Norman Baker MP, Under Secretary of State, Department for Transport and David Porter, Chief Executive of the Association of Electricity Producers, who delivered well-attended sessions on energy policy and electricity market reform.

Event Director Donna Bushell says: “Once again Sustainabilitylive! and especially NEMEX and IWEX demonstrated its relevance to attendees and resilience to wider economic factors as the must-attend shows to keep up-to-date with innovation and industry issues, as well as the place to do business.

“The feedback we have had has been extremely encouraging, with many exhibitors commentating on the high quality of visitors attending over the three days. The atmosphere was buzzing and once again, we feel the exhibition has been a huge success for all involved.”

A comment from Michael Townsend, another visitor to the show, was typically of many: “Well done to all at Sustainability Live for a great conference and exhibition at the NEC.”

Next April sees the relaunch of Sustainability Live 2013 in a different format and the introduction of a new exhibition - Energy from Waste Expo - dedicated to the energy from waste (EfW) industry in response to this rapidly-growing key area of renewable energy resources. It will run alongside the popular energy and water exhibitions NEMEX energy Live and IWEX water Live that will together comprise Sustainability Live from April 16 to 18 2013.

Covering the full spectrum of EfW disciplines, Energy from Waste Expo 2013 will be the Number One event for bringing together industry professionals in a united quest for inspired innovation and fresh ideas. Working with leading organisation it will also feature a comprehensive conference programme highlighting the latest market developments, thought leadership thinking and practical sustainable solutions.

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