New sustainability Institute announced

It's with a mixture of excitement and anticipation that I pass on news of the creation of INSPIRE in west Wales to drive change and transformation on sustainability. Exciting times lie ahead - here's the press release:

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is delighted to announce that its new institute for sustainability- INSPIRE (Institute for Sustainable Practice, Innovation and Resource Efficiency) - will be led by Jane Davidson (currently Minister for Environment and Sustainability in the Welsh Government) in partnership with Peter Davies (Commissioner for Sustainable Futures in Wales) who is already a Professor of Professional Practice at the University, and Andy Middleton (Managing Director TYF).

Last month the University called for expressions of interest from external agencies and individuals involved in sustainability to assist in the development which will be up and running from September.  INSPIRE will support embedding sustainability within the University’s curriculum at all levels as well as engaging with the widest number of organisations to develop sustainable practice across all sectors in Wales and further afield.

Professor Medwin Hughes, Vice Chancellor said, "I am delighted to have been able to secure such high quality individuals to lead the new institute. The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is committed to promoting the sustainability agenda in higher education in Wales and to work with all sectors to actively support the sustainability agenda."

Jane Davidson said, "Sustainability needs to be at the heart of how we do business, we cannot continue to use more resources than our one planet can support. I am privileged to have been invited to lead this new phase of the work at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, particularly in light of its existing partnerships with the further education sector and schools as well as the future merger with Swansea Metropolitan University as part of the creation of the dual sector university in South West Wales”.

Peter Davies added, "I am delighted to be able to play a part in the creation of this new institute in south west Wales, particularly as it provides opportunity to work with partners to develop exemplars of rural sustainability in practice".

Jane Davidson continued “I commend the University of Wales Trinity Saint David for the step it has taken in establishing the institute and am confident that its work will enhance the reputation of the University."

Andy Middleton said "INSPIRE will become a focal point for practical innovation in the areas of sustainability that make real difference to the performance of government, community resilience and long term success of business"

The University received some 50 expressions of interest from organisations and individual who are active in the field of sustainability and INSPIRE will be collaborating with them to develop its portfolio so that it can make a real difference to communities in Wales and beyond.

Professor Hughes concluded “The University sees its role as a catalyst in bringing together agencies and individuals who can transform the lives of individuals and communities, particularly within the region of South West Wales.

Wales Sustainable Business Summit (2)

Jane Davidson, Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing

I've been making sure that our policies enable the things that we're able to do best in Wales. Businesses can and do contribute to our policies and actions in Wales. What does it mean to make SD our central organising principle? We must have a positive vision to take it forward, with an understanding of what a sustainable Wales will look like as we create new sense and opportunities.

SD is much more than an environmental agenda - it's about a better quality of life for our own and future generations, delivered in a way which delivers social justice, enhances the cultural environment whilst living within environmental limits. We will take our share of resource use down to within One Planet's worth of resources within the lifetime of one generation.

Moving towards a zero waste society in Wales by 2050, with every local authority having statutory waste composting targets. I've seen many green jobs being created by recycling.

Simms recycling in Newport is the largest in the UK, and reflection on Wales' commitment to being a low carbon nation. Energy and the way we use it is critical; 80-90% reduction in fossil-fuel based fossil fuels are essential by mid century.

Through your commitment and care for communities, resources, energy and environment, you can make a difference to your business as well as the future.

The SD Charter has over 50 leading businesses in Wales, ranging from PwC to organic dairy cooperatives, working together. They'll do this by:

Future prooofing - e.g. M&S' Plan A 180 actions by 2018 because it's the right thing to do, and customers want it

Early leader advantage - as a small nation we can provide

Future markets - low carbon technologies have huge opportunities to tap into a $3tn low carbon market

Waste, energy reduction works - £43k to £27k cost in waste cost, with an extra £40k from re-sale of waste at Sharp in Wrexham

Consistency of reporting on CSR can create long term benefits for customers and sustainability.

Environmental awareness will take you into an area of making different decisions. Greening the workplace saves money and attracts new employees.

Wales' SD approach and long-term clarity, generally supported by all parties within the Assembly will give confidence to locate and grow in Wales.

We recognise that the Assembly Govt needs to set big targets and deliver on carbon reduction and behaviour change, with an extra £5m of funding over the next three years. We will take climate change into account in all of our decision making.