The event, which was organised by Business in the Community and sponsored by emda in the region, was The Prince of Wales’ May Day Summit on Climate Change. It took place at Toyota Manufacturing (UK) Ltd in Burnaston, Derby, one of 13 events taking place simultaneously across the country.

Business people at the event at Toyota heard from a range of speakers, including local businesses such as E.ON, Boots, and Serco Leisure. There was also a video link up with HRH Prince Charles and Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who both congratulated and encouraged businesses who are finding solutions and demonstrating best practice in addressing the critical issue of climate change.

The Prince of Wales used the opportunity to call on businesses to copy the examples set by May Day Network members such as Unilever, which announced that it will procure 100 per cent of its palm oil from certified sustainable sources by 2015.

The businesses were congratulated for the efforts that they had made. Since last year’s Summit, 831 businesses and organisations have signed up to the May Day Network and 207 of these have reported on the pledges they have made.

Councillor Geoff Stevens, emda Board Member and Champion for Environmental Protection, spoke about the challenge and opportunities that climate change poses for East Midlands businesses. Stephen Smith, Chief Executive of East Midlands Business, provided an overview of the support available to businesses through Business Link to improve resource efficiency.

The companies participating at the May Day Summit made at least one of the following pledges:

• To calculate their carbon footprint
• To report their carbon footprint
• To set an absolute target and take action to reduce their emissions
• To encourage employees to reduce their carbon footprint at work and at home
• To work in partnership with suppliers to reduce emissions in the supply chain
• To mobilise customers to take action.

John O’Reilly, emda’s Business Support Director, said: “Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the East Midlands, the country and the world. Regional businesses have a key role to play in reducing their carbon emissions to mitigate against further climate change as well as adapting to climate change already underway. There will also be many new business opportunities, providing the goods and services to help other businesses and communities to mitigate and to adapt.

“Via the Business Link service, emda is able to provide advice and guidance to regional businesses, both in meeting the challenges of climate change and in grasping the opportunities it presents.“

For more information about the May Day Summit, or to find out how to become a member, visit www.maydaynetwork.com.

For details about the support available for businesses to help reduce their carbon footprint, contact Business Link on 0845 058 6644 or visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/eastmidlands.