British companies recognize opportunities in North America clean tech and sustainability sector

Vancouver, British Columbia (March 26, 2014) – The United Kingdom's strong expertise and know how in the clean technology and sustainability sector are being showcased this week by British business and government leaders attending GLOBE 2014, one of the world's most influential environment-focused forums.

The British companies that are part of UK Trade & Investment's delegation to GLOBE 2014 exemplify the country's expansive expertise in low carbon solutions and sustainability innovations, spurred largely by the UK's ambitious low carbon policies – including reducing carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050. The companies have expertise in areas ranging from energy efficiency and water management to recycling, reuse and waste management.

Speaking at the opening plenary at GLOBE 2014, UK Trade Minister Lord Livingston said, "The UK and Canada are working together on the most pressing issues around business and the environment. The UK is already the global leader in offshore wind and is rapidly gaining a reputation as a leader in energy efficiency and water and wastewater management. By focusing on sustainable business opportunities, the UK can become more profitable, more efficient, and protect the planet while doing so."

The UK and Canada share a common goal of creating economies of the future, and are already collaborating towards this end. One example is Beyond Energy Code Consulting (becc), a joint venture between British and Canadian entrepreneurs that will launch at GLOBE 2014. The firm will help Canadian commercial and institutional customers minimize their environmental footprint by providing an analysis of existing impacts as well as guidance on how to reach net-zero energy operations.

"Combining the best in British engineering and the best in Canadian enterprise, becc will offer a practical, systemized and robust approach to net-zero energy," said becc CEO Paul Bennett. "We will be opening an office in Toronto soon and look forward to expanding our reach in the Canadian and US markets."

Another example is UK-based International Synergies, whose highly successful NISP model (National Industrial Symbiosis Programme) – the sharing and reuse of resources in an industrial ecosystem – has been used around the world and is gaining traction in North America, with NISP Canada formerly launching on March 27th at GLOBE. Through NISP, International Synergies facilitates the growth of the circular economy by connecting companies with one another to identify synergies whereby one company's waste becomes another company's raw material.

"Recently, we have been working with Light House to build capacity, share knowledge and create momentum to launch a pilot program in Metro Vancouver, which will be the twentieth country to adopt the NISP model," said Peter Laybourn, CEO of International Synergies, who will speak on two panels at GLOBE on the circular economy and waste-to-profit strategies.

Alongside International Synergies and becc, Eureka Heat Recovery UK, Kilbride Industrial Services Ltd., Re-Post Reusable Packaging, Strategic Agenda and Vickers Energy Group have joined UK Trade & Investment this week at GLOBE 2014 and can be visited at booth #1319. For more information about the UK's Clean Tech sector and UKTI activities in the USA, contact Michael Rosenfeld, Vice Consul – Clean Technology Sector Lead Officer, UK Trade & Investment USA, at (310) 420-0835 or Mike.Rosenfeld@fco.gov.uk. For more information about the UK group at GLOBE 2014 and UKTI activities in Canada, contact Tish Nicolls, Trade Officer, UK Trade & Investment Canada, at (604) 683 4421 or Tish.Nicolls@fco.gov.uk.

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About UK Trade & Investment

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the British Government department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. It also helps overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UK's economy – acknowledged as Europe's best place from which to succeed in global business. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. It provides companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage. For more information on UKTI, visit www.ukti.gov.uk or telephone its offices in Los Angeles (+1 310 843 2986) or Vancouver (+1 604 683 4421). For latest press releases, visit the online newsroom at www.ukti.gov.uk/media.