With climate change, decarbonisation and the green economy top of the agenda in Surrey, the county council is looking to work more closely with businesses with environmental priorities in line with its “Greener Future” strategic priority.

As part of this, the next “Spotlight on Surrey” event on July 14 will focus on climate change and the environment.

Cllr Marisa Heath

Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Marisa Heath (Con, Englefield Green) said that Surrey County Council is aiming to lead by example and is examining every element of its operation to become carbon zero by 2030.

“We are not a huge carbon emitter but we will be looking at everything from schools and all our other buildings to how staff travel to work.

“We know there is some confusion out there and while there might be a willingness to adopt new greener practices, people aren’t always quite sure what to do. Our role is to help people to make those changes and our priority is to get partnership engagement,” she said.

Michael Coughlin, deputy CEO at Surrey County Council says the online seminar will be an opportunity to share best practice and hear from businesses about what they are doing to reduce their carbon footprint.

“At the first Spotlight on Surrey event I was interested to hear Ben Osborn, MD of Pfizer UK, talk about how seriously his company is taking the whole question of environmental impact. The county council have made it a key strategic priority and we want to work with and support businesses with their green initiatives,” he said.

SCC has identified four key priorities that are all intertwined with a concern for the environment. They are:

• Growing a sustainable economy so everyone can benefit
• Tackling health inequality
• Enabling a greener future
• Empowering communities

Speakers at the event will include Kate Norgrove, executive director Advocacy & Campaigns – World Wildlife Fund, Steve Sharratt, CEO – DBE Energy and Dr Kat Bruce, chief technical officer & founder – Nature Metrics.

Kate Norgrove said: “Businesses depend on a stable climate, predictable supply chains and functioning ecosystems for their ongoing and future viability. You can’t do effective, profitable long-term business on a dead planet.

“Business has an incredibly important and transformational role to play in tackling the climate and nature crisis.”

Tickets for the virtual event are free to businesses based in Surrey and can be booked via this link https://bit.ly/2Uvxigc