New high-profile sustainability conference announced for Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire

Sustain Britain, a pioneering new conference, which aims to draw attention to the need to enhance sustainable practices within local communities, including increasing self-sufficiency, will take place at the Sustain Farm Shop and Café, Royal Wootton Bassett on Friday 13th September.

Free to attend, the ticketed event will feature eminent individuals including Sir Jonathan Porritt who, alongside other speakers, will talk on a range of sustainability issues affecting individuals, businesses, and communities locally and nationally. Topics covered will include addressing the challenge of delivering high-quality, affordable, sustainable rented housing, and adopting new approaches to overcome the high cost of food and energy.

Supported by Sustain Wiltshire, the Sustain Britain Conference will include a welcome from South Cotswolds MP, Dr Roz Savage, who will provide an overview to the conference, and an introduction to the speakers for the day.

Among the prominent and influential sustainability leaders talking at the event will be board advisor to regional government and business Net Zero programmes Thomas Panton, pioneering eco-warrior and TEDx speaker Jarvis Smith, Project Director at Sustain Wiltshire Nick Ash, and Co-founder of Forum of the Future, and Former Co-Chair of the Green Party, Sir Jonathan Porritt.

Topics to be covered at the conference include:

• Sustainable Anarchy;
• Why localisation rather than globalisation holds the key to a more sustainable future;
• Sustain Circles: how innovation and local production is vital to addressing the needs of local communities; breaking our reliance on multinationals and overseas imports;
• Creating sustainable housing, food, energy and employment for future generations

The aim of the conference is to provide a thought-provoking focus on sustainability, self-sufficiency and the creation of local solutions to national issues. It will include a series of breakout sessions that will help to feed into the creation of a Sustain Britain Manifesto, which will be developed following the conference.

Nick Ash, Project Director at Sustain Wiltshire, which is supporting the conference, commented: “A new and different approach is needed to secure a better future for Britain and for our local communities. Bold and transformative steps are needed to create a more sustainable society, where communities and businesses are supported and encouraged to produce more for themselves and for their local markets. 

“Only by doing this can we become less reliant on international imports and the influence of multinationals. By putting self-sufficiency at the heart of communities across the country we can keep more money in our local economies, helping to secure jobs and a brighter future for all. 

“Our hope is that, by bringing like-minded individuals together at the conference, we can deliver the seeds of change, creating a positive movement that will make greater self-sufficiency and sustainability a reality.”

Thomas Panton, who will be speaking on ‘Localisation, not Globalisation’ at the conference, added: “I’ve spent my whole career in the climate sector campaigning for and advising organisations ranging from international NGOs to regional government groups. The key to all of these discussions is collaboration.

“It’s great to see the ‘Sustain Britain Conference’ bringing different fields, expertise, and organisations together to work towards a thriving and more sustainable society. I believe the focus on localisation and collaboration are going to be driving forces in this becoming a must-attend event here and into the future!” 

Jarvis Smith, who will be speaking about Sustainable Anarchy at the event, commented: “Having spent many years campaigning for a more sustainable and ethical approach to life and business, and having advised organisations ranging from Yeo Valley through to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, I know well the challenges faced by those striving for positive change.

“The Sustain Britain Conference offers an amazing opportunity to examine more closely what we should be doing to realise a more self-sufficient society both as individuals, and as organisations. Addressing everything from innovative new approaches through to the role that Sustainable Anarchy has to play in effecting positive change, the conference promises to be an unmissable event for anyone passionate about a more sustainable future for Britain.”

Dr Roz Savage, South Cotswolds MP, added: “I applaud the work being done by Sustain Britain to rethink how we meet our material needs in ways that build community and connection with each other and with our locality. I am very much looking forward to the Sustain Britain Conference, as an opportunity to share knowledge and connect with like-minded people who are working together towards a brighter future.”

To book free tickets to attend the Sustain Britain Conference, visit www.sustainbritain.co.uk or Eventbrite.