East Midlands Sustainability and CSR Conference 2026

Host: East Midlands Chamber

Cost: Free

Dates:

Our Framework for Growth and annual Green Growth Trends Report highlight that “Green” growth is increasingly central to the East Midlands’ competitiveness, resilience and international positioning.

Sustainability is no longer a “nice to have”—it is a defining factor in business success.

Across the East Midlands and beyond, companies are facing rising costs, tighter regulations, shifting customer expectations, and increasing pressure from investors. In this environment, sustainability is not just about responsibility but about resilience, profitability, and long-term competitive advantage. There is also a focus on the importance of CSR to organisational strategy and the associated benefits.

In the current economic climate this year’s conference is built around a simple but critical premise that sustainability must pay.

On the day there will be a range of keynote presentations, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitors and opportunities to network with like-minded businesses. There will be lunch provided, which will be followed by the final workshop sessions.

Agenda:

• Year 11 of the East Midlands Green Growth Trends Report – Dr Polina Baranova, Associate Professor of Strategy and Sustainability, University of Derby
• Net Zero Doesn’t Have to Cost the Earth - Torben Starkey, Carbon & Procurement Specialist, and Julie Adams, Client Relationship Manager, Auditel (U.K.) Limited
• How can organisations balance growth, profitability, and sustainability in today’s challenging economic climate? This session explores how businesses can reduce their carbon footprint without compromising financial performance.
• With rising costs many organisations feel forced to choose between cost control and climate action. Auditel will demonstrate why that trade-off is no longer necessary.
• Lifting the Lid on Power Purchase Agreements (PPA): Driving Decarbonisation While Managing Energy Costs – James Cunningham, Managing Director, Geo Green Power
• With rising energy price volatility and increasing pressure to meet Net Zero commitments, solar PV becomes an obvious choice to reduce scope 2 emissions, lower energy bills and increase long-term energy security; but is a PPA the right way to fund it?
• Pay now or pay more later: The real economics of sustainability – Richard Smith, Director, PS:Planet
• We often hear that “sustainability must pay.” But the reality is: sustainability will be paid for, one way or another. The real questions are who picks up the bill, how large it will be, and what we stand to lose if we leave it too late - Richard will challenge the idea that sustainability only matters if there is an immediate financial return. Drawing on the latest climate science, he will explain why action is not optional and why delay is rarely the cheaper option.
• Beyond CSR: Building shared value – Dr Barbara Tomasella, University of Derby, Dr Elaine Conway, Loughborough University.
• Workshops and Panel discussions on Sustainable Business and CSR - see "Additional Content" below.

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