Kingfisher boss Ian Cheshire is to lead an independent task force aimed at finding new opportunities for UK businesses to drive green economic growth.
Launching today, the Ecosystem Markets Task Force (EMTF) – led by Kingfisher group chief executive Ian Cheshire – will review the opportunities available to UK companies that could help them develop green goods, services, investment vehicles and markets which protect the environment.
The business-led task force will bring together industry leaders and experts from a wide range of sectors, ranging from banking to building and biodiversity conservation, to look for ways in which companies can improve both the environment and their bottom line.
The EMTF will report back to Government in early 2013 through the Green Economy Council.
Both Cheshire and secretary of state for the environment department DEFRA Caroline Spelman will speak at the launch at the headquarters of Nomura in the City of London today.
Cheshire said: “The challenge for the task force, as I see it, is to find new ways for business to profit from valuing and protecting nature.
“It is an opportunity for business to contribute and make recommendations to the Government and to shape the agenda. We need to be radical and innovative in our thinking and explore areas where businesses can gain real, measureable benefit as the UK moves towards a green economy.”
It is estimated that UK businesses could save around £23bn each year by using raw materials, energy and water more efficiently.
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