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Newry Chamber hosted its inaugural Greater Newry Sustainability Conference and Expo at the Canal Court Hotel, Newry last Thursday 29 May, with more than 100 delegates in attendance.
with Moderator, Katie Heston, Biodiversity & Nature Reporting Lead, Clearstream
Solutions, Seamus McGuckin, Head of Corporate (NI), AIB, Gary Young, Head of
Estates, Southern Regional College, Paul Davison, Head of Wastewater Strategy,
Northern Ireland Water, Peter Maguire, Commercial Manager, Felix O’Hare & Co Ltd.
Hosted by Newry's Dearbhail McDonald, the theme of the event was 'Building a Sustainable Future and The Green Economy'. The conference was supported by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Kinecx Energy, AIB, Re-Gen and NIE Networks.
Presentations and panel discussions focused on four areas: recycling and waste reduction, delivering a lower carbon energy future, renewable electricity within the energy transition, and the role of green credentials in supply chains. The event also featured exhibition stands and roundtable conversations on the sustainability challenges and opportunities facing local businesses. The potential to develop the Greater Newry area into a Green Economy Hub on the island of Ireland was highlighted throughout the day.
speaking at the conference.
Dr Conor Patterson, President of Newry Chamber, said: "Newry Chamber was delighted to host our inaugural Sustainability Conference which was an informative and positive solution-focused event where all the key players involved in building a sustainable future and a strong green economy across our island came together and shared ideas that ultimately protect our planet, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and provide cost-effective sustainable solutions to growing our economy."
McDonald, Declan Gaughan, Environmental & Sustainability Manager, ABP UK,
Conor McCooey, Chief Information Officer, Re-Gen and Eimear Montague,
Executive Director, NI Resources Network.
He added: "Sustainability is not something any one organisation can deliver alone. It requires collaboration, innovation and leadership and that is exactly what the programme for the conference reflected."
Dr Patterson also pointed to the wider economic opportunity. "The event also focused on the need for our region to embrace and develop the Green Economy and heard from businesses and organisations that are playing an innovative and pivotal role in driving and growing this sector, creating jobs in industries that help lower our carbon footprint, reduce energy costs and support increased productivity."
He concluded: "I would like to express my sincere thanks to all our sponsors, presenters, panellists, exhibitors and delegates in attendance for making the event the huge success that it was and we look forward to building on it for next year's conference."
