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Yorkshire Sustainability Festival: 10th – 21st June 2024
Giving Yorkshire’s green community the platform it deserves.
Join us for the biggest gathering of sustainability in the north of England for the second year in a row. Back for 2024, the Yorkshire Sustainability Festival of events will epitomise the importance of collaboration, sharing key learnings and recognising that every one of us must start somewhere to make a difference to protect our planet. Our aim is to strengthen, inspire and expand our sustainable business community across the region.
Yorkshire Sustainability Festival encompasses all channels of sustainability, from those looking to create green pledges in business to the people on the ground making an impact and wanting to share their experiences across a wide range of events and locations.
Events will take place across Yorkshire; in Bradford, Hull, Sheffield and York, with a two day sustainability conference in Leeds this summer.
2024 Keynote Speakers
![Kevin McLoud - Keynote Speaker](https://assets.ysf.thesustainabilitycommunity.com/content/uploads/sites/1/cb2cafd538baf9a2049ecc35ec9d6a53-160x160-c-center.jpg)
Kevin McCloud
Designer, Writer, TV Presenter
![mary_portas_speaker_image](https://assets.ysf.thesustainabilitycommunity.com/content/uploads/sites/1/96659f236da34c611c90364ed5fbb8b6-160x160-c-center.jpg)
Mary Portas OBE
Businesswoman, Broadcaster, Author & Activist
![Jon Richardson](https://assets.ysf.thesustainabilitycommunity.com/content/uploads/sites/1/928ecba79958c35bb71181a49e539799-160x160-c-center.jpg)
Jon Richardson
Actor, Writer, Comedian and Co-Presenter of Jon Richardson & the Futurenauts
![Ed](https://assets.ysf.thesustainabilitycommunity.com/content/uploads/sites/1/f632a3511f776a61ae6b73bc768e8acf-160x160-c-center.jpg)
Ed Gillespie
Co-Presenter Jon Richardson & the Futurenauts
![](https://assets.ysf.thesustainabilitycommunity.com/content/uploads/sites/1/c5b4a8883657efba89424ef0383363d5-160x160-c-center.jpg)
Mark Stevenson
Co-Presenter Jon Richardson & the Futurenauts
![Mayor Tracy Brabin](https://assets.ysf.thesustainabilitycommunity.com/content/uploads/sites/1/3eaf6608359d77ccd30dcc0fa4701f20-160x160-c-center.jpeg)
Mayor Tracy Brabin
Mayor of West Yorkshire
2024 Speakers
Day One: Circular Economy
We believe that transitioning to a circular economy is a fundamental part of building the new sustainable world of the future, so we want to deep dive into the topic by making it the thread that runs through our conference on day one.
Day one breakdown is as follows:
- Economy and Finance Panel: Building an Economy within the Doughnut: How the Doughnut Economy Model will save the world.
- Workshop: Accessing Green Finance in Yorkshire – SME edition
- Manufacturing Panel: How Yorkshire is at the epicentre of the Green Industrial Revolution
- Skills Panel: The skills needed to build a circular economy in Yorkshire
- Skills Workshop: The skills needed to build a circular economy in Yorkshire
- Tech Panel Title: How can AI help us to build a Circular Economy?
- Waste Panel Title: The Rubbish Revival: Releasing the potential in Yorkshire’s Waste!
- Food Panel Title: The Triple Threat Trifle: how do we tackle malnutrition, overconsumption and unsustainable practices in Yorkshire?
- SME Support Panel Title: Small but mighty: The Power of SMEs in galvanising the Green Economy
- Closing Keynote Speaker: Mary Portas
Day Two: Future Cities
Retrofitting and creating new sustainable infrastructure in our towns and cities is a crucial part of the journey to building (literally!) a sustainable future. To build the cities of the future requires a holistic and integrated approach to urban planning and development that considers the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic factors.
Day two focuses on the themes of Future Cities, covering:
- Construction Panel: Harnessing the power of Yorkshire’s Built Environment Sector to create a sustainable region
- Energy Panel: Yorkshire’s Net Zero Journey: who’s powering the energy transition in Yorkshire and how do we all help?
- Transport Panel: The benefits of creating a sustainable transport network in Yorkshire.
- Water Panel: Diving Deep: Navigating Sustainability in Yorkshire’s Water Management
- Skills Panel: Building a Sustainable Future brick by brick: How do we Develop Green Skills in the Built Environment
- People and Place Panel: Empowering, Connecting, and Transforming Yorkshire: Bridging the gap between our People, Infrastructure, and Mobility
- Housing Panel: Greening Yorkshire’s homes for the future: Innovations in Sustainable Home Construction and Retrofitting
- Closing Keynote Speaker: Kevin McCloud
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Why attend?
We believe in the power of business to drive change, and you can be part of it. Whether you’re a seasoned sustainability expert or just starting out, this festival of events is for anyone who wants to collaborate with experts in the field and learn more about initiatives that are already happening across Yorkshire and the UK.
From round-table discussions, hearing from keynote speakers and exciting networking opportunities, it’s a must attend event for your calendar.
Latest News
![Doughnut Economics with Tim Frenneaux](https://assets.ysf.thesustainabilitycommunity.com/content/uploads/sites/1/ea1db7c4c15bd591a4538ad0bf2ce107-727x273-c-center.jpg)
Thu 02 May '24
Thinking outside of the box, and getting into the (doughnut economics) ring, with Tim Frenneaux
We caught up with rebel economist, Tim Frenneaux to talk about Doughnut Economics; what it is and how it’s possible for businesses to shape a greener and more equitable future.
![Biodiversity and regeneration with Helen Neave](https://assets.ysf.thesustainabilitycommunity.com/content/uploads/sites/1/028b9c6a0c1b5dbf8b8a50ad67c860b4-727x273-c-center.png)
Mon 22 Apr '24
Biodiversity and Regeneration: The Necessity to Action Change
We discuss why biodiversity is so important to the future of our planet with Helen Neave.
![Greentech catalyst conference](https://assets.ysf.thesustainabilitycommunity.com/content/uploads/sites/1/72676020ebf3aa9cfca69e02c2344e40-727x273-c-center.jpg)
Thu 11 Apr '24
The UK GreenTech Catalyst Conference 2024 is to be Held in Association with Yorkshire Sustainability Week
The GreenTech Catalyst Conference is coming to Leeds on the 25th of April.
![10 EASY WAYS TO BECOME A MORE SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS](https://assets.ysf.thesustainabilitycommunity.com/content/uploads/sites/1/12ffb3834e2a32c3b1a472c10d51ba93-727x273-c-center.png)
Mon 08 Apr '24
10 Easy Ways to Become a More Sustainable Business
We highlight 10 easy ways to become a more sustainable business in the UK