YORKSHIRE business leaders attended the JCI Leeds Annual Business Lecture to debate whether or not companies can be environmental and make a profit. 

Keynote speaker, Mike Smith, Head of Sustainable Development for regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, with responsibility for a £35m budget, has provided environmental business support for more than 60 companies in the UK.

His presentation challenged the audience that in order to provide the planet with a sustainable future businesses and individuals have to ‘break the mould’ and change their behaviour.

"All people can improve quality of life without destroying the environment. That’s sustainable development," he said.

As part of the event, organised by Junior Chamber International (JCI), an organisation for young people in their 20s and 30s in 120 different countries worldwide, David Parkin, editor of TheBusinessDesk.com interviewed a panel of experts including Quentin Drewell of Arup, Carl Hopkins of JumbleAid and Adam Woodhall of PeopleProfitPlanet and invited them to give their opinions on environmental issues and the changes businesses can make.

Mr Drewell incorporates sustainability into building projects, not only so the carbon impact is minimised but so that buildings are designing to withstand the impact of climate change such as over heating, flooding and extreme events.

He said: ‘It is true that in terms of capital costs there is an increase of 6 to 7% to build a sustainable home but the operational costs are minimal and the commercial benefits are even greater."

Carl Hopkins is one of six investors behind JumbleAid, a new company being launched next month to extend the life to household items by recycling them and generating funds for charity. He said: "People are aware of environmental problems and genuinely want to help.  People are now looking for solutions."

Adam Woodhall, past president of JCI Leeds set up PeopleProfitPlanet, a company which specialises in ensuring staff at all levels are engaged in the process of making a business “greener”.

He said: ‘From SME’s to large companies, reducing your carbon footprint is big business, not only to make a positive environmental change but because consumers and employees are looking at their environmental credentials.’

JCI Leeds hosted the event which was attended by more than 70 people from the local business community.

For more information about forthcoming JCI Leeds events visit www.jcileeds.org.uk

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