The Northern Ireland Government's independent advisory body on sustainable development
Commissioner challenges NI Business Sector
Alan Knight, the Sustainable Development Commission’s Commissioner on Consumption, caught the interest of Northern Ireland’s business sector when he as the keynote speaker put them on the spot by asking them a question! " If you products could talk would it make you feel proud or embarrassed?"
He urged those representatives present from the business sector and local government to wake up to the fact that their products could well be devastatingly unsustainable. However he added that they have the opportunity to amend their processes and in doing so they could become the major players in creating a sustainable environment, economic and social future for the people of Northern Ireland.
Acknowledged as one of the world's most experienced managers on environmental and social issues in business Alan Knight urged his audience: “Look at consumption in a more educated fashion. It is important to become aware of products life story, does it reveal some horrible eco / social scandal or would it show an amazing contribution to making the world a better place.”
In the first of a series of engagements organised by the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM), which aims to begin the process of understanding where various sectors can engage with the sustainability challenge, Alan Knight provided practical solutions to effect change. He threw up the gauntlet to Northern Ireland’s business sector to undertake the challenge of sustainable development.
He concluded: “Business and retailers can do far more within their area without relying heavily on the green consumer - the choice editing issue is a vital one which needs to be explored."
