by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
The Carbon Show launched on 29 and 30 September at ExCeL London and brought together 74 exhibitors, 140 speakers and over 2,000 visitors from leading organizations from across the carbon management and trading communities.
The exhibition attracted visitors from across the UK and Europe, Canada, South Africa and Asia, and provided all attendees with the opportunity to hear from industry experts, network with professionals from across the sector and create new business leads.
The Carbon Show is the first exhibition of its kind in the UK, and the popularity of the exhibition highlights the importance that businesses must place on developing methods to make the transition to a low carbon economy.
Among the organizations present at the exhibition were Carbon Trust, AEA, Environment Agency, Transport for London and Fortis Bank.
Dr Jez Richardson is Technical Director of Climate Change and Policy at Scott Wilson, an exhibitor at The Carbon Show. He commented: "It is significant that we now have an event dedicated to the carbon industry, reflecting the urgency of the climate change agenda. I was very impressed with the range of organizations that exhibited, which allowed us to showcase the full variety of solutions and services we offer. Scott Wilson found The Carbon Show an excellent opportunity to meet, network and discuss the issues we are all facing."
Key topics discussed in seminars and plenary sessions across the two days included the forthcoming Copenhagen summit, the government’s recently revealed Low Carbon Industrial Strategy, and the Carbon Reduction Commitment, which comes into effect for many businesses across the UK next year.
Highlights included the launch of the Carbon Yearbook 2009/10, which is produced by ENDS.
The publication is the annual review of business and climate change, and was launched at an evening drinks reception on 29 September. Editor-in-chief Nick Rowcliffe said of the event: "The Carbon Show provided a fantastic launch for the first ENDS Carbon Yearbook, as it brought together professionals from across the carbon industry. One of the largest crowds of the day gathered to hear Henry Derwent, president of the International Emission Trading Association, explain how all professionals involved in carbon could learn something from the publication.”
Two reports were also launched at the exhibition, revealing the steps the world’s largest organisations are taking to combat climate change. The Global 500 Report by the Carbon Disclosure Project, and the Carbon Offsetting trends report announced by EcoSecurities, both provoked in-depth discussions at The Carbon Show’s popular feature, the Carbon Corner.
Simon Daukes, Group Managing Director for Haymarket Exhibitions, commented on the success of this year’s Carbon Show: “Despite the current economic climate we have exceeded our expectations in both visitor and exhibitor numbers. The success of this year’s event highlights the continuing importance of the environmental sector, and the potential for development in years to come.”
The Carbon Show will return to ExCeL London on 6-7 October 2010, and this is, more than likely, good news.
What I saw on my visit I must say that, for the size of the exhibition, it was very busy and the publisher present at the show made a roaring trade.
I did not, alas, have the time, even though, so I understand, my press pass would have given me access to the conference sessions, to take in any of them. Maybe next year?
© 2009
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