Well, the month has been a mixture of emotions for the Future Economy Network team; some really high highs alongside some rapid contingency planning around mitigating coronavirus impacts. But let's start with the positives….
Since last month's update, the Events team have been pulling out all the stops, facilitating an amazing 6 different sustainability-related events! Topics have certainly been varied; from discussions on sustainable palm oil and sustainable tourism, to presentations on how we can use blockchain to facilitate sustainable development, from a webinar panel discussion around Part L Building Regulation changes to partnering with Sustrans on the launch of their Bike Life report and as always our popular monthly Netwalking, there has certainly been a huge amount of knowledge sharing and networking opportunities in which to partake.
Our speaker panel at Sustainable Palm Oil
The audience at the Sustrans Bike Life Launch
I was also very proud to have played a small part in the creation of the One City Climate Strategy which launched on 26th February. As one of 15 members selected to sit on the Environmental Sustainability Board, I would be very interested to hear Network member's thoughts on the strategy and how your organisation can deliver against the ambitious targets and help us accelerate progress towards carbon neutrality. Please do get in touch with your thoughts. The Future Economy Network, for example has committed to ensuring that all of their future Bristol-based events, link back to the climate strategy delivery themes. We shall also be updating stakeholders on the new strategy direction at our 6 monthly carbon neutrality update, do book on if you haven't done so already.
In other good news, the Future Economy Network has been recognised as Going for Gold Champions in their commitment towards sustainable food systems and systems are go with Festival and Hub; the Network being delighted to announce Bristol City Council as one of their headline sponsors for the Festival of Sustainable Business and the Future Leap hub team having welcomed their first potential co-workers for a tour of the co-working space!
And now for the less positive news. Our thoughts and sympathies are with everyone impacted by Coronavirus-19. Here at the Future Economy Network, we are reviewing the advice coming from the UK Government and Public Health England on a daily basis. As such, we have moved our weekly networking events online and have instigated strict hygiene measures within the Future Leap hub. Please do support us by continuing to "attend" our events. We are trialling some exciting online networking facilities over the coming weeks and it would be great to get your feedback. Although this is a different way of working, the opportunities virtual events can present in terms of reach and impact are exciting so please do spread the word far and wide about our upcoming events programme.
Please take care of yourselves and one another and we look forward to our next opportunity to meet, be that virtually or in person.
With very best wishes,
Katherine
Director of The Future Economy Network