Our diocese was well represented at a meeting of Harrogate’s business community that discussed the challenges of climate change and net-zero emissions.
Speakers at the Business Net Zero Conference at the Harrogate Conference Centre included Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Revd Helen-Ann Hartley along with representatives from Techbuyer, Transdev, Yorkshire Water and Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate.
Our Environment Officer Jemima Parker was also present at the event, which began with Bishop Helen-Ann asking people if their businesses had a social and environmental mission.
Bishop Helen-Ann said: “My role covers a diverse landscape and an economy that relies heavily on its rural, tourism and hospitality sectors, some of which we will hear from today. However as you will see from the programme, there are a rich variety of business contexts represented. It is a reminder surely of the heft and influence of our region and district.
“Together, we can make a difference and today is a demonstration of how that collective sharing might impact positively not just locally but globally. With COP26 around the corner, there will be much focus on the United Kingdom, and for all the social, economic and health-related challenges we have and are facing there is much to be positive about, and much to be hopeful for.
“Today’s conference is a sign of hope.
“Last month, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Pope Francis, and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew made an unprecedented joint-statement on the climate emergency, including these words: “To those with more far-reaching responsibilities – heading administrations, running companies, employing people or investing funds – we say: choose people-centred profits; make short-term sacrifices to safeguard all our futures; become leaders in the transition to just and sustainable economies”.