Presentations – Sustainable Business Breakfast, Crawley

Delegates gathered at Civic Hall in Crawley to hear from business case study Affinity Sutton and learn about green roofs and rainwater harvesting. Run by the Sustainable Business Network the breakfast was part of the Green Growth Platform events programme.

Jack White, 2020 Project Officer at Affinity Sutton, spoke about the efforts the housing association has made throughout their offices and housing stock towards reducing their carbon footprint by 20% by 2020, including solar PV, LED lighting and efficient printing.

Jack explained how to begin, he took back in-house electricity monitoring and management, saving £45,000 in out-sourcing fees – money which could be re-invested in energy efficiency measures. Affinity Sutton have also embraces video conferencing and home-working to reduce transport emissions and travel time.

So far carbon emissions have dropped by 5.8% from 2013/14.

Lee Evans from Organic Roofs shared the plants and technology needed to create a green roof, and  how they can help insulate and increase the thermal mass of a building as well as help prevent flooding and create a habitat for plant and wildlife.

Graham Cross from Halsted Rain explained how water stress is increasing the need to use water sparingly and how rainwater and grey water harvesting systems can be retrofitted to help reduce demand for mains supply in situations where potable water is not required, for example toilet flushing or vehicle washing.

Download their presentations.

The Sustainable Business Network is delivering the events programme of the Green Growth Platform, a 5 year programme led by the University of Brighton offering a range of free and subsidised services to both businesses in the environmental sector and those looking to improve their environmental performance.