The Humber has come together to lead the global fight against climate change.
Organisers behind The Waterline Summit 2021 – the biggest event of its kind in the North of England – successfully united businesses, public sector organisations, schools, colleges and communities in the drive to a net zero carbon economy.
The five-day summit, from Marketing Humber, involved 100 speakers at 26 separate events, engaging tens of thousands of people.
Read more: Phillips 66 eyes wider role in electric vehicle supply chain
It covered a wide range of themes and topics to connect the whole region and illustrate that every sector has a part to play in combating the climate crisis.
Key contributions to the summit, including a powerful new film, Eyes on the Humber,
which documents the vital role the region has in the climate change challenge, and will now be taken to the COP26 conference in Glasgow..
Dr Diana Taylor, managing director of Marketing Humber, said: “The level of engagement we had throughout the week from across the region, the country and the world was truly phenomenal.
“The Humber has picked up the baton and is facing up to the biggest challenge the world faces by working as one.
“The summit highlighted the many innovative projects and developments taking place across this region as we lead the race to net zero. The Humber has truly united for a common cause.
“We said the world would be watching us and The Waterline Summit has proved it is. Now we go to COP26 with renewed vigour and optimism that this is a fight we can win, starting here in the Humber.”
The summit was streamed to all seven continents, with participants coming from countries as far afield as Vietnam, Thailand and Greenland.
Tony Danker, director general of the Confederation of British Industry, was one of the high-profile individuals interviewed for the film. He said last week’s summit was inspiring.
“The challenges of climate change are too big for any business or government to tackle single-handedly,” he said.
“That’s why I’m so inspired when I speak to business leaders across the country. They’re getting the job done, leading the way on the transition to net zero and, where the Humber goes, others are already following.”
The summit, a hybrid of in-person and online events, featured prominent speakers including green energy entrepreneur Dale Vince OBE, astronaut Dr Chris Boshuizen and electric vehicle adventurer Chris Ramsey.
Mr Ramsey, who will attempt to travel from the South Pole to the North Pole in an electric vehicle in December 2022, told the summit: “There’s a great will in the Humber to make real sustainable change.
“There’s a buzz here among people wanting to make a difference in this region, but also to develop technology that can be utilised across the world. It’s been a fascinating experience for me to witness this at first hand.”
Several contributors to The Waterline Summit will now be attending COP26, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference taking place from November 1, to deliver key messages from the Humber.
Marketing Humber will link the region to the international event through an online platform, providing resources, podcasts, interviews and streamed events.
Do you follow BusinessLive Humber on LinkedIn and Twitter? Click and engage to ensure you stay updated
