Sustainability support available outlined at Chamber survey launch
Date published:
North East England Chamber of Commerce members heard how Universities could help companies become more sustainable at the launch of the Chamber’s latest economic survey.
Associate Professor of Marketing at Durham University Business School, Helen Goworek’s presentation outlined the advantages of collaboration on sustainability research projects, student projects and placements, as well as consultancy.
She gave the example of Durham Energy institute, part of the University which works to ensure sustainable and resilient low carbon energy systems can be developed which meet the needs of businesses in all sectors. It also leads in energy research including promoting best practice in innovative training for future energy leaders.
Her specialism is in fashion research both in terms of social sustainability and environmental sustainability. She looked at the barriers that hindered the adoption of sustainable design, using the example of longer lasting clothing.
In her research she studied ways commercial, technical and design processes could reduce the environmental impact of clothing by extending its useful life.
She said: “We are seeing more and more companies exploring re-using plastics in clothes and brands like H & M embracing sustainable fashion opportunities. The website eBay is also a major force in encouraging people to re-use objects and clothes. There has been progress with companies learning from other sectors such as Zara using techniques used in the fast-paced automotive industry.
In her recommendations Helen Goworek said it would be beneficial if companies educated their customers on sustainability through their communications in particular in their promotional materials, signage or visual merchandising.
She also urged businesses to see if they could collaborate with their competitors on mutually advantageous sustainability projects and look at their suppliers’ and their own CSR policies to ensure they implemented them in practice.
Walmart conducted an energy audit for a supplier that saved them 52% in electricity costs.
Durham University Business School is the associate sponsor of the Chamber’s quarterly economic survey.