United to face the challenges of climate change

CO2 Sense Yorkshire, the business development programme set up by Yorkshire Forward, joined the firms to launch the Green Gateways Business Club at Gateways School, Harewood, which is Leeds' first

school to win Green Flag status, reflecting their environmental commitment.

The first of a series of events takes place on March 11. The invited audience will include senior staff from major utilities as well as industry managers and will be largely from West Yorkshire.

The group is calling on small and medium-sized enterprises and individuals to follow the lead of corporates in improving environmental standards.

There will also be speakers regarding regional initiatives in business and science across the environmental agenda including other members of the group KPMG, Leeds Bradford International Airport, NG Bailey, The United Bank of Carbon, Yorkshire Bank, npower, law firm Cobbetts, management consultancy Mason Hardy and transformer manufacturer Wilson Power.

Yvonne Wilkinson, head of Gateways School, said: "The Green Gateways Business Club brings together the leading governmental organisations in climate change, our region's largest corporates, businesses of all sizes, scientists and our thought-leading school with a common aim.

"Schools and businesses have a duty to lead on this and other urgent issues and must set a framework of values on top of academic success."

Paula Widdowson, director of corporate social responsibility at

Northern Foods, said: "Our bottom line has benefited to the tune of 1m from the environmental initiatives we have put in place. That progress has come from co-operative working with other businesses, a learning journey we would like to pass on to others – be they major businesses or the next generation that needs to learn to exploit the opportunities of climate change."

Joanne Pollard, chief executive of CO2Sense Yorkshire, said: "With businesses facing challenges from both the economy and the changing environment, it's more important than ever for companies to work together to find ways of reducing carbon emissions while growing their businesses.

"Green Gateways is a welcome opportunity for sharing these great ideas with both regional companies and the next generation of business leaders at Gateways School."

For more information go to www.gatewaysschool.co.uk/GreenGatewaysBusinessClub.aspx