Green Expo 2022 launched for June on World Earth Day

Green Expo 2022 is a new three day event being held on the banks of the River Dee, at Castle Drive, on June 16th to 18th.

Members of the public, business people, inward investors and anyone interested in climate change are invited to attend. The event is the first of its kind and important to North West England and North Wales as they develop plans for a carbon neutral future. Local, national and international organisations will show how they are achieving their plans as they move towards net zero.

Project Director for Green Expo Jane Harrad-Roberts said;

"Community Interest Company Cheshire Heritage and Sustainability Enterprises, or CHASE for short, is the organisation behind the expo and we have been working together for over 12 months now on Green Expo 2022. Chester has a long history of renewable energy and it is only natural that we should demonstrate why Chester and Cheshire can become the green heart of England. We are hoping that Green Expo will become an annual event when organisations, communities and individuals can return and show us how they've made a difference on climate change."

Green Expo comprises four elements; a three day exposition along the river, a one day business conference, a Youth Conference on the Friday and an awards dinner on the Wednesday evening.

The three day exposition organised by Eco Communities which organised The Great Big Green Week in Grosvenor Park last September will be an opportunity for local businesses and charities to showcase their sustainability plans, products and services on the banks of the River Dee.  The general public are invited to attend the exposition free to learn about technologies and career opportunities.

The Green Expo Business Conference at the Riverside Innovation Centre on the Thursday will see nationally known speakers tackle topics on each of the UK's Climate Response strands, Power, Buildings (& Homes), Industry, Transport, Natural Resources (& Farming), Adaptation & Resilience. Presentations will be a mix of TED-style inspirational sessions, interspersed by panel discussions led by experts. Delegates will be able to take back examples of best practice and solutions to help them in their organisations.

According to the Green Skills Taskforce 2021 report over 60,500 new jobs will be created in the North West by 2050 to get the UK to NetZero and according to Net Zero North West this will sustain up to 650,000 jobs, the largest number of all the UK regions. An afternoon session at the conference will focus on the skills gap and how organisations have overcome this.

Sponsors for all four events are still joining to support Green Expo 2022 but already include major sponsors Peel NRE, Encirc, Tatton Group, with Grosvenor Estates and the University of Chester. Other sponsors like SP Energy, EA Technology, Deepbridge Capital and NatWest Group are involved with specific events and the Green Expo Awards on the Wednesday evening. Cheshire West and Cheshire and Cheshire East Councils, together with Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership and Chester BID have provided 'Green Shoot' funding.

The University of Chester is leading the Youth Conference on the Friday for school and college students from Years 9 and above from across the region.

Professor Eunice Simmons, Vice-Chancellor, University of Chester said;

"We are excited to be involved in Green Expo, connecting the city's history with the region's urgent transition to a low carbon future. The University is committed to equipping its students to be confident and active citizens for a sustainable future. Green Expo is a unique opportunity for students and staff from a variety of disciplines, including Geography, Media and Journalism, and Tourism Management, to work together on the development of this event to benefit both our community and visitors to the city."

Councillor Matt Bryan, cabinet member for climate emergency for Cheshire West and Chester Council added;

"This is a fantastic initiative and will go a long way in highlighting the technologies we will need to be implementing to reach our carbon neutrality target of 2030 for Cheshire West and Chester and 2045 for the Borough."

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy & Regeneration at Cheshire West and Chester Council said;

"Green Expo is about celebrating Cheshire West's journey to becoming a world leader in low carbon energy and technology. In the coming years it will bring thousands of new jobs and opportunities to our area, with Chester and Ellesmere Port at the centre of circular economy innovation and the epicentre of the green industrial revolution."

More information on Green Expo is at: 

https://greenexpo.uk 

Anyone can register there for more information on tickets, vouchers and sponsorship and to receive more information on the event as it is released.